Richard Villiers is a Boston-born businessman and one of the world's richest men (possibly the second or third richest in the world, and the richest in the UCAS). He is described as being in his mid-50s, a man at the height of his powers. He has black hair and olive skin. The only obvious cyberware he sports is a datajack, and he reportedly has a photographic memory. He is a charismatic showman and salesman, and a master strategist, knowing exactly when to spring things on people.
Villiers rose to prominence as a cost-killer who bought and resold companies after restructuring them. He merged his recently acquired Bostonian company, Matrix Systems, with Japanese giant Fuchi Industrial Electronics in 2034, using Echo Mirage technology as incentive. He subsequently oversaw the takeover of JRJ International in 2038, making Fuchi a AAA megacorporation and the leader of the emerging Matrix industry. This made him the President/CEO of Fuchi, the head of Fuchi Americas, and the owner of a third of Fuchi capital for 25 years. In the late 2050s, he organized the divestment and refinancing of Fuchi Americas, transferring assets to other parts of his financial empire under the shell company Cambridge Industries. In October 2059, he merged these assets, including JRJ International, to create Novatech — in which he possessed a 65% stake. He left Fuchi management to head Novatech, still occupying the seats of President, CEO and Chairman of the Board.
Since the Corp War, Villiers' pattern of seemingly sabotaging his own work only to reveal something stronger and better in its place became known as the "Villiers Maneuver".
Richard Villiers has two younger brothers: Martin, another businessman; and Darren, who holds an executive position within Novatech and a 1% stake. Richard's ex-wife Samantha Villiers still goes by the name of her former husband and fills the position of Executive Vice-President of Novatech Seattle (effectively managing all Novatech assets in Asia), also owning 7% of Novatech capital. Shortly after their marriage in 2033, they had a daughter, Caroline Tara Villiers, and seemingly kept a very good relationship after their divorce, even occasionally dating each other. His closest friend and confidant is his security advisor, Miles Lanier. He is reportedly a Yankees fan, and owns a 2013 World Series ring.
Index[]
Sourcebooks[]
- Blood in the Boardroom, 26–27
- Corporate Download, 66–74
- Corporate Shadowfiles
- First Run, 42–43
Loose Alliances, 67- Portfolio of a Dragon: Dunkelzahn's Secrets
- Runner Havens, 42, 78
- Shadowrun Third Edition
- Sixth World Almanac, 52, 82, 92
- Street Legends
- System Failure
Novels[]
Other[]
- Steven Ridgemont