Steve Rigby

Co-Chief Executive, Rigby Group

Steve Rigby is Co-Chief Executive of Rigby Group. With over 30 years’ experience contributing to the growth of the Group, today he is responsible for leading strategy, finance and investments for the family in both the private and public markets.

Steve sits on the boards of SCC, Rigby Technology Investments, Regional & City Airports, Rigby Real Estate, the Group’s hotel division, Nuvias Unified Communications, CloudClevr, Infinigate and Rigby Group.

Steve is a keen advocate for entrepreneurism, having developed and honed his own skills within the family firm, successfully creating, acquiring, integrating, growing and exiting numerous companies over the past three decades. He also regularly works with great entrepreneurs looking to scale up their business, so he is very familiar with the challenges they face and the issues holding them back.

Outside of Rigby Group, Steve is a national judge for EY Entrepreneur of the Year (2023), he is on the Board of Family Business UK, a member of the Wall Street Journal CEO Council, a judge on the World Superyacht Awards, a trustee for the Rigby Foundation and a long term supporter of Place2Be, most recently as Chair of the charity’s development board.

Steve has three children and lives in London and the Cotswolds with his wife. He is a keen sportsman, enjoying sailing, polo and tennis.

– Why do you support the work of The Entrepreneurs Network?

The UK is home to an extraordinary wealth of entrepreneurial talent. Many businesses have taken root here, and many have become world-leading brands, but on the global stage we are falling behind. Despite the UK remaining a prolific creator of companies, currently having over five million (up 50% since 2000), the number of globally successful businesses located here is falling. In 2000, three of the top 15 companies in the world by value were based here; in 2023 we have only two in the top 50.

I am passionate about, and fully support the Entrepreneurs Network’s ambition to make Britain the best place in the world to start and grow a business, and their enthusiasm and analytical approach to influence change has impressed me. Moreover, they are really nice people to work with which helps!

I have a particular interest in the taxation system and exploring how it can work better to support UK entrepreneurs, family businesses and private businesses over the longer term, whilst also generating more tax for the public purse and social good, and I am enjoying discussing my ideas with Philip and the team.