Robert held many offices in the city of York. He became a freeman in 1588 and Chamberlain in 1591 to 1592. He was an councilman between 1595 and 1599 and Sherriff the year after. In 1602 he became an alderman. During his time as MP he acted as commissioner for surveying the River Ouse (1604 and 1610); commissioner for subsidies in 1608 and 1621; collector for Privy Seals loans (1611 to 1612); commissioner to hold courts on the Northern Circuit in 1618. He was Lord Mayor of York in 1606 to 1607 and 1617 to 1618.
