Richard Hobson was born in Yorkshire. He was a chorister at Lichfield Cathedral and read music at Wadham College, Oxford, where he was College Organist. After a post-graduate year at St John's College, Cambridge, he joined the staff of Latymer Upper School, Hammersmith in 1976, becoming Director of Music in 1982. In September 1996 he was appointed Director of Music at Merchant Taylors' School, Northwood.

From 1977-1981 he was organist of St Mary the Boltons, South Kensington. Since 1981 Richard has been organist and Director of Music of the Grosvenor Chapel, Mayfair, where the highly acclaimed new organ which he designed in collaboration with the organ builder William Drake, was inaugurated in 1991. As well as directing the professional choir, he arranges the annual series of International Organ Concerts and Lunchtime Concerts, and has recorded a CD on the new organ. He has given many concerts at Grosvenor Chapel both as organist and conductor, and has given concerts in many other parts of the country, including Lichfield Cathedral and St Paul's Cathedrals, and in France & Germany.

A former Council member of the British Institue of Organ Studies, he is also an adviser on organs to the Diocese of London.