Rigby Group named UK Family Business of the Year
ENTREPRENEUR Sir Peter Rigby’s Rigby Group has been named Family Business of the Year at the Private Business Awards 2013.
Rigby Group – which has businesses in Birmingham, Coventry and Warwickshire – was recognised for the performance of its businesses, which saw technology division SCC post record financial results in 2012.
Judges also praised the group’s diversity, which has seen it significantly expand its interests in the aviation sector over the past year with the acquisition of Exeter Airport and British International Helicopters.
Rigby Group COO Steve Rigby said: “We are very pleased to have won this award as it is recognition of the success the Rigby family – principally through my father Sir Peter Rigby – has achieved over the past 37 years.
“While our heritage has been in IT, the Rigby Group today also has a broad range of interests spanning aviation, hotels and property and we are actively seeking to invest across these sectors, as well as our core SCC business, to drive further success and growth.”
“While this award marks our progress to date, we are very confident that the near future will bring further development and expansion.”
The Family Business of the Year Award is presented annually to the company judges believe has best balanced the needs of its owners with a desire to become more successful.
In addition to assessing financial results for the year 2012, emphasis is placed on selecting businesses with the potential for sustained long- term growth.
Sponsored by PwC in association with HSBC, the Private Business Awards were launched in 2011 in order to recognise the work of privately owned firms. Previous award winners include Dyson and JCB.
Chris Romans, partner and private business expert at PwC in the Midlands, said:
“This is fantastic achievement for Rigby Group and their award very much reflects the strength of private businesses in the local area.
“Private businesses are integral to economic growth as they create opportunities and sustainable job opportunities for local people. It’s firms like Rigby Group that will drive the economy’s recovery, return to growth and future competitiveness.”
Other West Midlands finalists were Steelite International’s Kevin Oakes, who was shortlisted for CEO of the Year and Telford-based Oaklands Farm Eggs which was shortlisted for Family Business of the Year.
