Group Rhodes Chairman, Ian Ridgway, celebrated his 80th birthday earlier this week. The festivities included a party in which family, friends and all of the Company’s 250 employees were invited. 

Ian Ridgway joined Joseph Rhodes in 1955, he became a director in 1967 and successfully completed a Management-Buy-Out of the Company in 1984. Undertaking the position of Managing Director, he spearheaded the growth of Group Rhodes through the acquisitions of twelve synergistic OEM companies (including, Craven Fawcett, Beauford Engineers, John Shaw, Chester Hydraulics, HME, Bentley, Dualform, Fielding & Platt, Henry Berry, and a software house).

Over his long and illustrious career, Ian has also held past Chair and Committee positions at the Metalforming Machinery Manufacturers Association (MMMA); the Manufacturing Technologies Association; Wakefield Junior and Senior Chambers of Commerce; Engineering Employers Federation (Wakefield District); and the European Power Press Manufacturers Association, chairing the latter through the critical time of European metalforming machinery standardisation. In 2008, Ian Ridgway was made life president of the MMMA.

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Ian Ridgway celebrated his 80th birthday with his son Mark Ridgway OBE, DL.

In January 2000 Ian became Chairman of Group Rhodes, and his son, Mark Ridgway OBE, DL, who joined the company in 1985, became Managing Director.

Today, the Company continues to follow a strategy of continuous long term investment, which has created a strong foundation and has allowed significant expansion at a time of economic volatility.  From a single site in 2008, the business now operates four manufacturing units in the UK with a joint venture factory currently under construction in Bangalore, India.

Although still playing a pivotal role in the strategic planning of the business, Ian Ridgway spends much of his time volunteering at Wakefield Cathedral. He recently donated the 8 foot tall fabricated candle stands required for the Christmas services. In 2005, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, chose Wakefield Cathedral as the venue for the Maundy Ceremony. Ian Ridgway was invited to attend the Ceremony, following a long history of community service and his association with the Cathedral which dates back to 1945.

 

Ian Ridgway commented,

“I have had an eventful life and career, but nothing compares to the joy and happiness I receive from my wife, children and grandchildren.”