A Great British Business in PARLIAMENT

Sir Peter’s journey from £2,000 start-up to £4 billion family business takes centre stage in Westminster.

Rigby Group’s 50th year was marked by a special reception recognising the Group’s place as one of the UK’s leading family-owned businesses, a global innovator, and a major contributor to the national economy.

In July, Westminster’s historic doors were flung open in a day of celebration, as Lord Marks hosted a special reception to honour Rigby Group and celebrate its 50-year journey.

Guests included Sir Peter, James and Steve Rigby, alongside colleagues, charity partners and long-serving employees. With space limited not everyone could attend, but the event stood as a proud showcase of Rigby Group’s role in the national story.

Champions of Enterprise

The event included contributions from across the political spectrum.

Darren Jones, the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, used his remarks to recognise Rigby Group’s long-standing role in the British economy. He spoke about the importance of businesses that innovate, create jobs, and invest in their communities - highlighting the company as an example of how family-owned enterprises can grow to global scale while remaining rooted in values.

From the Opposition benches, Rt Hon Sir Mel Stride MP, Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer, paid tribute to the Group’s achievements and stressed the importance of supporting family businesses as a cornerstone of economic resilience. He pointed to Rigby Group as evidence of how private, long-term ownership brings stability, ambition, and a clear sense of responsibility - qualities he suggested are essential for Britain’s economic future.

Together, the contributions reinforced the sense that Rigby Group is not just celebrating a corporate anniversary, but standing as a national example of what good business can look like.

A Great British Business

Invited to the podium, Sir Peter reflected on the remarkable journey from humble beginnings to a business employing thousands of people worldwide. Along the way, Rigby Group has founded and acquired over 140 businesses, built SCC into Europe’s largest privately-owned technology company, and diversified into hospitality, property and financial services.

The celebration wasn’t just about commercial success. Sir Peter highlighted the family’s long-standing commitment to philanthropy through the Rigby Foundation and his own Charitable Trust. From supporting disadvantaged children in schools, to funding the Digital Futures Institute at Aston University and the Enterprise Centre at Liverpool University, to building a £2m Food Hub in Birmingham for the King’s Coronation Food Project, Rigby Group’s success has always been tied to giving back.

He also underlined something that resonated strongly in Parliament: Rigby Group has remained proudly headquartered in the UK, meeting the highest standards of governance and demonstrating that family-owned private businesses can combine scale, resilience, and responsibility.

A Fitting Finale

After the speeches and conversations in Westminster, guests crossed the bridge to Raffles London, where a string quartet from the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra played as the evening continued. Over drinks and music, colleagues, partners, and friends of the Group reflected on how far Rigby has come and the role it continues to play in shaping industries, creating opportunities, and supporting communities.

It was a fitting finale: elegant, people-focused, and filled with the warmth that has always characterised Rigby Group’s journey.

Looking Ahead

The Westminster reception was not only a celebration of 50 years already written - it was also a reminder of the chapters still to come. Rigby Group has always thrived by looking forward: seizing opportunities, investing in people, and giving back to society.

As Sir Peter himself said: “This has never been just about our bottom line. Being a family-owned business has always allowed us to think long-term, act with independence, and stay grounded in the values that matter.”

That ethos - innovation, responsibility, and family - will remain at its foundation as Rigby Group looks ahead to the next 50 years and beyond.

Celebrate