The Times: Budget must start to take the burden off business
September 2025: Steve authors a piece for The Times arguing that the forthcoming Budget must begin to ease the pressure on businesses. He highlights that many business leaders believe the increasing burdens on their firms serve as a smokescreen to avoid tougher decisions on spending, personal tax, and pensions.
Steve Rigby Contributes to Global Growth Report 2025
September 2025: Steve contributes to The Global Growth Report 2025, commissioned by WMCA. His case study looks at the US tariffs which could cost the West Midlands £6.2 billion. He outlines how he led a taskforce to assess risks and shape policy, which helped secure a deal reducing tariffs and protecting the region’s economy.
Absent Ambition: Reclaiming Futures Through Reducing Absence
September 2025: The Rigby Foundation, chaired by Steve Rigby, funds the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ)’s landmark report, Absent Ambition, exposing the deep-rooted crisis of school absence across the UK—and calling for a national reset in how we support families, schools, and communities.
The Times: Rigby Foundation backs urgent call to tackle school absenteeism
September 2025: A study by the Centre for Social Justice, supported by the Rigby Foundation, warns that rising school absence is costing pupils their futures and the economy billions. The report urges government action, including mandatory “attendance awareness” courses for parents, to rebuild trust between families and schools.
The Times: From Taxes to gambling: Five big questions for business
September 2025: Steve contributes to a piece in The Times highlighting the pressures facing UK businesses as they prepare for the upcoming budget, and cautions against further tax burdens following recent inheritance tax changes.
The Times: Boardrooms are grappling with AI but we must embrace it
July 2025: Steve writes in The Times, discussing how UK businesses can adapt and harness AI for growth.
New research: Startup accelerator overhaul needed to supercharge Britain’s firms
July 2025: New research from The Entrepreneurs Network (TEN), commissioned by Steve Rigby – Full Speed Ahead – urges the UK Government to establish clear programme standards and classifications for startup support schemes, such as accelerators and incubators.
City AM: I’m one of Britain’s highest taxpayers – a wealth tax would be the last straw
July 2025: Steve writes in City AM, discussing the UK Government’s tax policy and the potentially damaging implications of bringing in a wealth tax.
Over 100 Unemployed Young People in the West Midlands Upskilled Through Rigby Foundation Partnership
June 2025: More than 100 young unemployed people from the West Midlands have completed a Skills Bootcamp programme to help them into work, including tech careers, thanks to a pioneering partnership between The Rigby Foundation and skills charity Generation UK.
Steve Rigby joins judging panel to award £1m investment to UK’s most-promising startup
June 2025: Steve Rigby joined an expert judging panel at London Tech Week to name Unhubs as the winner of this year’s OnetoWin Rising Stars final.
The Times: Entrepreneurs are founders that can succeed against the odds
May 2025: In the Sunday Times, Steve explores what makes an entrepreneur, not just starting a business, but growing it and achieving lasting success. He offers insights into how the UK can better foster and support entrepreneurial talent.
Sunday Times: Rigby Family recognised in Sunday Times Giving List 2025
May 2025: The Rigby Family has been recognised as one of the top 100 largest givers in the UK in the Sunday Times Giving 100 list. Putting back into the communities and regions where they operate has always been key to the family’s values.
The West Midlands is central to the UK’s negotiation on tariffs, Mayor’s report finds
May 2025: Steve releases the findings of the report he prepared - ‘Implications of New US Trade Tariffs for the West Midlands Economy’ - which was commissioned by Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, to explore how the proposed US tariffs will affect the region.
The Times: Why business should step up to fill gaps in our education system
April 2025: Steve writes in The Times about his recent visit to a Birmingham school, highlighting the vital role businesses must play in helping young people develop the skills they need to succeed in the workforce, creating value and driving economic growth.
CIty A.M.: The Square Mile and me
April 2025: Steve is interviewed for a profile piece in City A.M., which examines his career and the current business landscape.
Steve Rigby joins No.10 talks on US tariffs and UK response
April 2025: Steve Rigby, was among 17 business leaders invited to Downing Street for a high-level meeting with the Prime Minister, following the announcement of new US tariffs by President Trump.
Sunday Times: We can’t just shut up shop.’ Birmingham braces for tax D-day
March 2025: Steve comments in the Sunday Times, discussing the impact on Birmingham businesses and retailers of the Government’s recent tax changes, including increases to employers’ national insurance contributions (NICs).
The Times: My leadership advice for No 10 in a world turned upside down
March 2025: Steve writes in The Times sharing his thoughts on the parallels between political and business leadership and setting out some policies that could help deliver much needed economic growth in the UK. His proposals include reforming the triple lock, establishing realistic debt targets, and recalibrating the UK's net zero ambitions.
Management Today: Has British business become too reliant on the US?
March 2025: Steve contributes to an article examining the impact of the US on UK businesses, highlighting this as a pivotal moment to reassess and reinforce the “special relationship” between the two nations.
City a.m.: Growth is near impossible. Here are 7 pleas for Reeves’ Spring Budget
February 2025: Steve writes in City A.M. arguing that growth is impossible if we continue on as we are but the Spring Budget is a chance for change. He sets out seven ways the Chancellor could make an immediate positive impact.