Jacob Ben Richards[4] was born on 5 July 1989, the son of journalist and broadcaster Steve Richards.[5] He was educated at Highgate School, a private fee-paying school in North London, and then attended Woodhouse College. He read History at Somerville College, Oxford.[6] Following his undergraduate studies, he completed the Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC) at City, University of London.[7] He worked as a barrister at Deka Chambers in London;[8] his colleague Catherine Atkinson was also elected as a Labour MP at the 2024 General Election.[9]
He is engaged to the Sky News political correspondent Liz Bates, with whom he has a daughter.[12]
Richard's sister is a Special Advisor (SpAd) to the current Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper MP. Additionally, his brother in law is Gregor Poynton MP, Member of Parliament for Livingston [citation needed].
