A Family Legacy: Two Thousand Tales of LOYALTY

This year, the Rigby family are honouring the amazing contribution of our many colleagues who have chosen to build their career in the company for ten years or more

Fifty years ago, Rigby Group started with our founder, Sir Peter Rigby. At that time, in a modest office in Birmingham in1975, it was impossible for him to envisage all the great things he would go on to achieve or how many people would join him on the journey for the long-term.

By the mid-1990s, more than 500 colleagues had already joined, with their efforts and talent contributing to the ongoing growth and success of the business. Fast forward to the present day: you are one of more than 9,000 colleagues working for Rigby Group across six key sectors, with technology – the original engine of our growth – still firmly at our core.

One of the things that makes Rigby Group unique, and has remained constant since day one, is that as a family-owned business Sir Peter has never just focused on the bottom line. People have always remained front and centre, which is perhaps why so many people have stayed with the business and contributed for a decade or more.

Incredibly more than 2,000 people have been with us for ten years or more, out of 9,000 colleagues. What’s more, there are 500 people who have been with the group since the last century – clocking up more than 25 years of service. If this doesn’t describe you, the chances are you are working alongside someone who has been part of the Rigby Group family for more than a decade!

This phenomenal loyalty extends across the entire Rigby Group, from SCC to our hotels, airports, real estate, and investment divisions, highlighting a commitment that goes far beyond typical business relationships. In a world that often prioritises rapid change and sees high staff turnover as the norm, this level of long-term dedication marks out our company as something special.

Personal Thanks From Sir Peter, James & Steve

Every long-server has contributed to the business in a way that goes beyond mere numbers. They have grown with us, supporting others and helping shape the Group into the thriving international entity it is today.

No one understands these contributions better than Sir Peter himself. To recognise the enduring commitment of every long-server across Rigby Group, he wanted to do something special and he has personally commissioned exquisite commemorative coins and pin badges from another great family business, Toye, Kenning & Spencer – a company based in Birmingham’s famous Jewellery Quarter that has held a Royal Warrant for more than 300 years.

"For 50 years, the ethos of Rigby Group has been about family," explained Sir Peter. "It's always been reflected in how we treat our colleagues – not as employees, but as integral members of our extended family. The deep, personal impact of meeting and giving thanks in person to as many people as possible who have been part of this incredible journey for the long-term - whether 10, 20, 30 years, or more - is immeasurable. It’s about acknowledging the individual stories, the sacrifices, and the dedication that has built this company from the ground up."

The first several hundred of these commemorative long-service coins and badges have been personally presented by Sir Peter and James to colleagues in SCC UK, France and Spain, during their summer SCC Engage conferences. And this is just the start, with the family planning to meet as many long-servers as possible in all divisions in the next few months to thank them for their service.

HELPING SHAPE THE GROUP INTO WHAT IT IS TODAY.

A Bright Future

The Rigby family business has truly grown to encompass a diverse and dedicated global team, with long-servers across the entire international span of the business – from colleagues in the UK, to France and Spain to those in Romania, Slovakia, India, and Vietnam.

It’s not just our long servers we want to thank. A key event to look out for in the autumn will be a cross-Group celebration day, when every colleague from every division will be invited to enjoy some time together and celebrate. Invitations will be sent out in the next few weeks – make sure you accept the appointment to join in the celebrations.

So, whether you’re starting out with Rigby Group, or looking forward to collecting your commemorative badge and coin – thank you.

You are the most important part of what we’re celebrating.