The Chairman of Warwickshire-based Rigby Group, one of the top ten largest privately-owned companies in the UK, has been presented with an honorary award for his Lifetime Contribution to Midlands Business.
Sir Peter Rigby, who is also the Founder and Chief Executive of the group, won the prestigious accolade at this year’s Midlands Business Awards gala evening, held at Athena in Leicester on Friday.
He was presented with the award by Harjinder Sandher, Founder of the Midlands Business Awards.
It comes as Sir Peter marks more than 40 years at the helm of the company.
During that time he has established himself as one of the leading entrepreneurs in the country.
Founding Rigby Group in 1975, Sir Peter initially focused on the IT sector.
In 1996 the company diversified into a range of other sectors including hospitality, aerospace, infrastructure, real estate and financial services.
With a turnover of more than £2 billion, the Group today is split across six operating groups – SCC, Patriot Aerospace, Eden Hotel Collection, Rigby Real Estate and Rigby Capital.
The company operates 140 different companies in 20 countries worldwide, employing more than 8,500 people across the globe – the majority of which are UK based.
The award is the latest in a string of highlights throughout Sir Peter’s illustrious career.
In 2000 he was appointed Deputy Lieutenant of the West Midlands – a role he still holds today.
In 2002 he was knighted for his contribution to business and IT in the Midlands region.
His business acumen was also previously recognised by Ernst & Young when he received a Lifetime Achievement Award for Entrepreneurship.
Sir Peter also holds honorary doctorates from both Aston and Birmingham universities.
In addition to his business accomplishments, Sir Peter is a key figure in several charitable endeavours.
His family charitable trust, The Rigby Foundation, has provided substantial donations across a wide range of charitable causes, private and public projects and military charitable causes.
The most recent of these includes a £500,000 donation to champion innovative cancer care in south Warwickshire at Stratford’s new £22 million hospital
Sir Peter is also Patron of The Shakespeare Hospice in Stratford and has previously served as a Trustee of the Royal Air Force Museum where he helped develop the National Cold War Museum.
Other active roles include Chairman of the Birmingham-based Millennium Point Trust Company, Liveryman of the Honourable Company of Air Pilots, Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society, Honorary Group Captain of 602 (County of London) Squadron and Companion of the Chartered Management Institute.
Last year’s winner West Midlands Mayor Andy Street CBE, issued warm congratulations to Sir Peter on winning the award. He commented: “It was a pleasure to be the recipient of the Lifetime Contribution to Business award last year at an impressive ceremony at Athena in Leicester. The Midlands is punching above its weight in terms of start-ups, productivity growth and business innovation and it was heartening to be at a ceremony that was shouting about our region. A special congratulations to Sir Peter Rigby who is, well-deservedly, receiving this year’s award.”
