Entrepreneur Simon Rigby dies aged 58

Simon Rigby, the Lancashire-based entrepreneur who earned a royal honour for services to business in the region, has died at the age of 58.

Friends and colleagues said his many skills, great sense of humour and warmth of character made him beloved by a great many. 

From his home village of Warton, then spending time studying and building businesses in Yorkshire, Simon made friends at every turn and loved nothing more than being hands on in the business right at the sharp end. 

He was a celebrated and famous business face throughout Lancashire, the North West and beyond, creating thousands of jobs throughout his home county in his many and varied businesses. He often paved a way so that others could follow and believed deeply in developing young talent to become the next generation of business leaders.

In 2010 he was awarded an MBE for services to business in the North of England. Reflecting on the honour, he said: "I’m going to write to all the staff and thank them because, if you look at the business we do in the north of England, I’m the gaffer but the work is done on the ground by 2,500 staff. So really, it’s for all of us."

In 2017, he was named Lancastrian of the Year at the BIBAs.

Tom Flack, chief finance officer for The Rigby Organisation, said: "We are deeply shocked and saddened. The thoughts of everyone at the Rigby organisation are with Simon's family and friends and we extend our deepest sympathies to them.

"It was a great privilege to know him personally and work alongside him for the last 9 years."

Lisa Mathew, business development director for the Rigby Organisation, said: "Simon was such a unique, larger than life character and will leave a huge void for so many. My thoughts are with his family with whom I had the privilege to get know personally through our ten-year working relationship."