The Sir Peter Rigby Charitable Trust (the Rigby Foundation)

Charity Number: 1011259

Annual Expenditure: £2.0M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £2 million (pledged annually from Rigby Group)
  • Success Rate: Not applicable (no public application process)
  • Decision Time: Not applicable (invitation/partnership-based)
  • Grant Range: £5,000 - £1,000,000+
  • Geographic Focus: West Midlands (particularly Birmingham and surrounding areas)

Contact Details

Email: info@rigbyfoundation.org.uk

Phone: 01789 610000

Address: Bridgeway House, Bridgeway, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, CV37 6YX

Website: www.rigbyfoundation.org.uk

Charity Numbers: The Rigby Foundation (1207788), The Sir Peter Rigby Charitable Trust (1209638)

Overview

Founded in 1992 by Sir Peter and Patricia Rigby, The Rigby Foundation (formerly The Sir Peter Rigby Charitable Trust, charity number 1011259) is the Rigby family's philanthropic vehicle, funded by profits from Rigby Group and SCC. The foundation underwent strategic restructuring during Rigby Group's 50th anniversary, splitting into The Rigby Foundation (1207788) and The Sir Peter Rigby Charitable Trust (1209638). With recent annual expenditure of approximately £819,391 and an ongoing commitment of £2 million per year from Rigby Group, the foundation operates on the principle that business success should go hand in hand with giving back to communities. Since late 2023, the foundation has refined its strategic priorities to focus exclusively on supporting young people aged 11-25 from disadvantaged backgrounds in the West Midlands, with particular emphasis on central and south Birmingham. The foundation supports programmes that help these young people succeed in education and secure meaningful, sustainable employment.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Inspiring Futures Programme: £1 million per year for three years (£3 million total)

  • Launched January 2025 in partnership with Aston University
  • Supports over 1,000 pupils annually from low-income backgrounds
  • Partners 10 Birmingham schools/colleges with 10 leading charities
  • Focus areas: Maths and English attainment, essential skills, mental health, employability
  • Education partners: Ark Boulton, Ark St Albans, CORE City Academy, CORE Jewellery Quarter, Grace Academy, John Henry Newman Catholic College, King Edward VI Sheldon Heath Academy, STAR Small Heath Leadership Academy, St Thomas Aquinas Catholic School, South and City College Birmingham
  • Charity partners: Action Tutoring, Ahead Partnership, Debate Mate, Envision, Get Further, IntoUniversity, Place2Be, Skills Builder, Zero Gravity

Generation UK Partnership: £600,000 over three years

  • Skills bootcamps for individuals facing employment barriers
  • Technical skills training: cloud and data engineering, cyber security, data analytics, green energy, sustainable construction, health and care
  • Supports 300+ young people into tech careers
  • 90% completion rate, 70% employment rate, £24k average starting salary
  • Includes wraparound support from SCC (equipment, mentoring, volunteering)

Higher Education Partnerships:

  • The Sir Peter Rigby Digital Futures Institute at Aston University (substantial multi-year funding)
  • The Sir Peter Rigby Centre for Enterprise at Liverpool University (£1 million gift)
  • Three competitive scholarships worth £5,000 per year for three years at University of Liverpool

Priority Areas

  • Educational attainment: Programmes improving literacy, numeracy, and core academic skills for young people from low-income backgrounds
  • Employability and skills development: Technical skills training, career readiness, pathways to sustainable employment
  • Social mobility: Raising aspirations and achievements of young people from disadvantaged communities
  • Student wellbeing: Mental health support, attendance programmes, holistic student support
  • Essential life skills: Leadership, problem-solving, debating, public speaking
  • Higher education access: Widening participation initiatives, university preparation and support

Geographic Focus

100% focused on the West Midlands region, with particular concentration on central and south Birmingham. The foundation specifically targets areas experiencing significant deprivation and communities with high levels of disadvantage.

What They Don't Fund

  • Unsolicited applications from organizations
  • Projects outside the West Midlands
  • Programmes not focused on 11-25 year olds
  • Initiatives not addressing education or employment outcomes
  • Individual grant requests
  • Projects without measurable impact on social mobility
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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

Sir Peter Rigby (Founder)

  • Launched Rigby Group in 1975 with a £2,000 loan
  • Built business empire across Technology, Aviation, Hotel, Real Estate, and Finance sectors
  • Former chair of Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership
  • Knighted in 2002 for contributions to IT and business
  • Awarded Legion d'honneur in 2021
  • Honorary chair of The Sir Peter Rigby Digital Futures Institute at Aston University

Steve Rigby (Chair of Trustees, Co-CEO of Rigby Group)

  • Over 30 years contributing to Rigby Group's growth
  • Passionate advocate for West Midlands community development
  • Quote: "We cannot afford to lose a generation to disengagement. Inspiring Futures is our Foundation's answer to the crisis of pupil absenteeism, bringing relevance, aspiration, and support back into the classroom. When children see a future worth striving for, attendance becomes a choice they will want to make."
  • “My family and I hope that our funding will allow young people from low-income communities to have the chance to do well at school and progress to sustainable and meaningful careers.”

James Rigby (Trustee, Co-CEO of Rigby Group)

  • Joined family business in 1994
  • Leads SCC technology services
  • Fluent French speaker
  • Trustee of multiple organizations
  • Focus on “enabling people to grow their skills”

Patricia Rigby (Trustee)

  • Founding member of the Foundation alongside Sir Peter
  • Passionate about supporting young people's success

Senior Staff

Sonia Chhatwal (Executive Director) - Appointed September 2023

  • 25+ years experience with corporate foundations and charities
  • Quote: “This programme is about reigniting aspiration in our pupils. Together with our partners, we are creating learning environments that feel purposeful and empowering and that will enable our young people to succeed in life, not just in exams.”
  • “It is a great honour and a privilege to join The Rigby Foundation. I am proud to continue the work of Sir Peter Rigby.”

Jemima Waltho (Partnerships Manager)

  • Award-winning creative producer
  • 24 years experience in youth skills development
  • Designated Safeguarding Lead

Sue Benson (Administrator)

  • Background in education and non-profit sectors
  • 10 years with Association of Charitable Foundations
  • 15 years in primary education administration

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

The Rigby Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. According to their website, they are “unable to respond to unsolicited requests for support.”

All funding is delivered through strategic partnerships and programmes identified by the foundation's trustees and leadership team. The foundation takes a proactive, strategic approach to philanthropy, selecting partners and beneficiaries through extensive research and consultation rather than responding to applications.

Partner Selection Process

For their flagship Inspiring Futures programme, the foundation's approach included:

  • Months of research into educational challenges in Birmingham
  • Meetings with over 30 potential charity partners
  • Consultation with Birmingham City Council to identify schools facing the most significant challenges
  • Strategic alignment assessment with potential partners
  • Evaluation of track record and evidence of impact

The foundation works in partnership with strategic bodies including the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and Birmingham City Council.

Getting on Their Radar

Note: The following strategies are based on documented approaches the foundation has used to identify partners:

Through sector networks: The Rigby Foundation is an active member of the West Midlands Funders Network and has published collaborative research with organizations like the Centre for Social Justice. Organizations working in the West Midlands education and youth employment sector may encounter foundation representatives through these networks.

Birmingham City Council connections: For the Inspiring Futures programme, the foundation consulted Birmingham City Council to identify schools and areas of greatest need. Organizations with strong relationships with local government may be more visible to the foundation.

Evidence of impact in their priority areas: The foundation selected partners for Inspiring Futures after reviewing which organizations had strong track records in their target areas (educational attainment, mental health support, employability skills, etc.).

Alignment with major institutions: The foundation has established significant partnerships with universities (Aston University, University of Liverpool) and national organizations (Generation UK). Organizations with connections to these institutions or working in complementary spaces may have higher visibility.

West Midlands presence and reputation: All funded partners demonstrate deep roots and proven impact in the West Midlands, particularly Birmingham. Regional reputation and demonstrated community connections appear important.

Application Success Factors

Since this funder does not accept applications, the following insights reflect what has characterized their successful partnerships:

Foundation's Documented Priorities

Focus on outcomes, not just activities: Steve Rigby emphasized: "Inspiring Futures is an intentional belief in the potential of our region's young people. We want every student to know that their background should never define their future." The foundation prioritizes programmes with clear pathways to changed life outcomes.

Addressing systemic challenges: The foundation targets root causes, particularly school absenteeism and disengagement. Their programmes focus on making education “feel purposeful and empowering” rather than just academic achievement.

Evidence-based approaches: Selected charity partners (Action Tutoring, IntoUniversity, Skills Builder, etc.) all have strong evidence bases and proven models.

Collaborative approach: The foundation structures programmes as partnerships between multiple organizations (schools, charities, universities) rather than funding single organizations in isolation.

Measurable impact: Generation UK partnership demonstrates this priority - 90% completion rates, 70% employment rates, specific salary outcomes.

Long-term commitment: Major programmes run for three years, indicating preference for sustained engagement over one-off grants.

Characteristics of Funded Partners

  • Deep expertise in their specific area (educational attainment, mental health, employability)
  • Strong track records with evidence of impact
  • Alignment with West Midlands priorities
  • Ability to work collaboratively with other partners
  • Focus on young people aged 11-25 from disadvantaged backgrounds
  • Scalable models that can reach significant numbers (1,000+ young people annually)

Foundation Philosophy

The foundation operates on the principle that “success in business goes hand in hand with putting back into society and our communities.” Funded programmes reflect the Rigby family's business values: enabling people to develop skills, creating opportunities, and supporting social mobility through education and employment.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No public application process: This foundation identifies and approaches partners rather than accepting applications. Organizations cannot apply for funding.
  • Strategic, place-based approach: 100% West Midlands focused with particular emphasis on Birmingham. If you're not working in this region with disadvantaged young people aged 11-25, this is not a relevant funder.
  • Large-scale, multi-year partnerships: Recent programmes range from £600,000 to £3 million over three years. The foundation makes substantial commitments to fewer partners rather than many small grants.
  • Collaborative models preferred: Both major programmes (Inspiring Futures, Generation UK) involve multiple partners working together. The foundation appears to favor collective impact approaches.
  • Sector visibility matters: The foundation conducts extensive research, meets with dozens of potential partners, and consults with Birmingham City Council. Being well-known and respected in West Midlands education/youth employment sector is essential.
  • Evidence of impact required: Selected partners demonstrate proven models, measurable outcomes, and strong track records. The foundation invested significant time evaluating potential partners before making commitments.
  • Alignment with business networks: Links to Rigby Group businesses (SCC provides additional support to Generation UK programme) and business-led approaches to social mobility may create opportunities for visibility.

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References