(Philip) Richard Hernaman Allen. Born 26 January 1949, Loughborough, England. School - Loughborough Grammar School. University: Merton College, Oxford (BA (Hons, First class) Modern History, 1970. Career: HM Customs & Excise 1970-3, 1975-94, 1997-2001; HM Treasury 1973-4; Cabinet Office 1974-5; Department of Social Security 1994-7; Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs 2001-5. Consultant for Office of Government Commerce, School of Government, Public Affairs International, RIPA International 2005-10; member Bromley Council Standards Committee 2008-11; consultant Managing the Good programme 2013 onwards. Writer of over 40 books, mostly detective stories. Trail runner, gardener, musician. Areas of knowledge - politics, history.