Richard Taylor is the co-founder of the Wētā companies and co-owner of Wētā Workshop, along with his wife Tania Rodger, who established their business in their home city of Wellington in New Zealand.

With more than thirty years’ experience working in the world’s creative industries, Richard is the CEO and Creative Director of this award-winning company.  As a passionate creative at the core of Wētā Workshop, Richard collaborates each day with his colleagues and friends across a diverse range of artistic and technical disciplines. With 350 crew across five businesses, the Workshop has grown to become a multifaceted, creativity focused company.

Richard has won five Academy Awards© across three disciplines, for special effects makeup, visual effects, and costume design. He has also received four BAFTAs, two THEA Awards and more than 30 national and international awards for his work within the creative industries.  In 2010 Richard was made a Knight Companion of the NZ Order of Merit for his services to film, and voted New Zealand Entrepreneur of the Year.

Richard and Tania are patrons of the Little Miracles Trust and are heavily involved in the Wellington community, giving their time to charity projects and initiatives. WētāWorkshop has provided the design and physical effects for more than 120 films, numerous
television shows, and multiple location-based experiences.Richard and Tania co-own children’s IP and television production company Pukeko Pictures, as well as co-own Stardog LP, a fine art and IP development company that helps young people within their team to realise their own creative endeavours.

Most recently Richard and the team at Workshop have been working in emerging technology arenasand are collaborating in two metaverse projects for their clients.