Well known for her contribution to broadcasting, her career began with BBC Wales as a broadcast journalist in 1976 and later as a reporter and producer for HTV Wales in the current affairs department in 1983, including the Welsh language current affairs series, Y Byd ar Bedwar.
It was revealed as part of the BBC's open policy in November 2009, that Richards salary per annum to August 2009 was £185,000, with total remuneration of £192,800.
[2] She was responsible for bringing series such as Doctor Who, Torchwood, Merlin, The Sarah Jane Adventures, Sherlock and Upstairs Downstairs to global TV screens.
[citation needed] She was married to the TV presenter Patrick Hannan, who died in 2009, aged 68, following a short illness.
[3] Richards was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2010 New Year Honours for her services to broadcasting.