Our people
Our Trustees and staff are incredibly passionate about our work. Read below to find out what inspires and motivates them.
Our Trustees
Sir Peter Rigby
Founder of Rigby Group
Sir Peter Rigby is one of the UK’s most respected and successful business leaders, and a serial entrepreneur. He launched the founding company for Rigby Group with a £2,000 loan in 1975, growing it into one of the country’s largest privately owned business groups, with operations across the Technology, Aviation, Hotel, Real Estate, and Finance sectors.
Playing an active economic and philanthropic role in the communities in which his companies operate, Sir Peter has Chaired the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership, which promotes business and industry growth in the area. He is Chair of The Sir Peter Rigby Charitable Trust and a Trustee of The Rigby Foundation and of The Fly Harrier Trust. In 2002 Sir Peter was knighted for his contribution to IT and business, while in 2021 he became the first British businessman ever to be awarded the Legion d'honneur.
Steve Rigby
CO-CEO of Rigby Group & Chair of the Rigby Foundation
Steve Rigby is the Co-CEO of Rigby Group, one of the UK’s top ten wholly-owned private companies and a top 500 global family businesses. Over more than 30 years he has contributed significantly to the growth of the Group, leading and driving its strategic transition.
Steve is the Chair of the Trustees at the Rigby Foundation. Having grown up in the West Midlands himself, Steve is passionate about ensuring that the Rigby Group’s success supports the local West Midlands community. He is committed to boosting opportunities for the next generation in the region and to supporting programmes that can make a positive difference to young people’s futures.
James Rigby
CO-CEO of Rigby Group
James joined the Rigby Group family business in 1994. Today, he is Co-CEO of the Rigby Group whilst also heading up SCC, the Group’s technology services business, overseeing its operations in the UK, France, Spain, Romania and Vietnam.
James is passionate about enabling people to grow their skills, investing in people and communities, and ensuring the preservation of family values at the heart of business. James is a fluent French speaker and as well as being a Trustee of both The Rigby Foundation and The Sir Peter Rigby Charitable Trust, he is a Trustee of the United by 2022 Birmingham charity that works to ensure the legacy of the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games.
Patricia Rigby
Trustee
Patricia is a founding member of the Foundation and has supported it’s charitable giving in the West Midlands since the beginning. She is passionate about making a difference for young people and supporting their journey to success.
“It is a great honour and a privilege to work for The Rigby Foundation”
Sonia Chhatwal | Executive Director
Our Staffing Team
Sonia Chhatwal
Executive Director
The day to day operations of our work are led by our Executive Director, Sonia Chhatwal.
Sonia began her work with The Rigby Foundation in September 2023. She brought with her more than 25 years’ experience working with renowned corporate foundations, leading charities and blue chip companies.
As Executive Director of The Rigby Foundation, Sonia is responsible for driving the Foundation forward in achieving it’s aims to support young people to achieve their potential.
Jemima Waltho
Partnerships Manager
Jemima is an award-winning creative producer, specialising in innovative third-sector programme development and delivery. She has over 24 years of experience in developing, delivering, funding and evaluating programmes that support disadvantaged young people to gain new skills, broaden their horizons and develop career pathways.
As Partnerships Manager, Jemima will be collaborating with all partners, to ensure our collective work supports young people.
Sue Benson
Administrator
Sue has had a varied career in the education and non-profit sectors including 10 years working for the Association of Charitable Foundations. For the last 15 years she has worked in the primary education sector, most recently as Head of Data and Compliance for a multi-academy trust of 19 primary schools.
As Administrator Sue will support the team on finance, administration and legal compliance.