The key to building a successful business is to have passion, ambition and vision. In 1975, Liverpool-born Peter Rigby had a vision to build a world class business from scratch. 40 years and 70 acquisitions later, Sir Peter Rigby – knighted in the Queen’s Jubilee Honours in 2002 for services to IT – is Chairman of Rigby Group PLC, a two billion pounds international business with six key divisions. It all started in 1975 with Specialist Computer Recruitment – from a two-thousand pounds initial investment.
In 1982, Intel launched its 286 microprocessor – followed by the IBM PC and Compaq Portable PC – enabling the launch of SCC. SCC – Rigby Group’s technology division – is Europe’s principal IT services business; the product of clear vision to invest in the digital revolution, eight years before the invention of the World Wide Web. SCC is trusted to run IT infrastructure and services for leading business across Europe – making IT work through partnership, knowledge and passion. Passion is key in the development of Rigby Group.
British International Helicopters, Rigby Group’s aviation division, was born from Sir Peter Rigby’s lifelong passion for flying. The UK’s largest British-owned operator, BIH operates a fleet of 20 helicopters, employs more than 150 personnel and holds contracts with the Ministry of Defence in The Falklands, and The Royal Navy in the South West of England. And in 2010, Rigby Group acquired its first airport at Coventry. The airports division, RCA, has since grown with the addition of Exeter and Norwich – together with management contracts throughout the UK. Accelerated growth is a theme running throughout Rigby Group. Mallory Court – Leamington Spa’s finest country house hotel was acquired in 1998; the first of nine from The Eden Hotel Collection, Rigby Group’s hotels division.
Eden Hotel Collection has properties across the Midlands and South West, and is the AA Best Small Hotel Group in the UK. Each hotel is selected for its boutique qualities and architecture – an area in which Rigby Group is well-versed…
Rigby & Rigby is the Group’s real estate business. Winner at the International Design & Architecture Awards, Rigby & Rigby is London’s finest developer of prime residential property. Sir Peter, as a trustee of several key charities including The Rigby Foundation, his family trust, knows that success goes hand-in-hand with putting back into society and communities.
The Rigby Group has invested over a million pounds in the skills and technology to support Birmingham’s Millennium Point. Provided the financial backing and expertise to develop the educational resources and visitor experience at RAF Cosford’s Cold War Museum. And invested in building the Marie Curie hospice in Solihull. In 2015, Sir Peter Rigby celebrates 40 years in business. But his vision gets ever more ambitious.
Rigby Group will continue to build on a distinguished reputation for independent thinking, seamless execution and a peerless approach to acquiring and nurturing businesses to unleash their full potential. It will take the growth of the last 40 years, and double it over the next ten.
Rigby Group: celebrating 40 years in business.
