the man behind tale of success

While at Yorkshire Electricity, he became a ‘change agent’, restructuring businesses the company was keen to dispose of.

He was seconded to the board of The Freedom Group, and in 1996 led its management buyout from Yorkshire Electricity, starting with a single contract worth 3m. He renamed the business Spice, based on the mantra of society, people, innovation, customers and excellence.

Following rapid expansion it floated on AIM in 2004. The company achieved a main market listing in 2008.

Mr Rigby, who was born to farming parents, has other business interests including about 150 buy-to-let prop-erties in Leeds and Preston, a butchery business, and also a biodigester business.

He and his family also farm about 2,000 acres in the North West of England.