Sir Richard G.R. Evans KCMG, who also goes by the name Richard "Dicky" Evans, is a British-Kenyan businessperson, sports team owner and philanthropist from the United Kingdom.[1] Evans was born in Penzance and played school rugby for the county before moving to East Africa, where he also represented Kenya in rugby.[1] Charles III knighted Evans in his 2024 New Year Honours ceremony.[2]
Sir Richard Grenville Russell Evans | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Nationality | British |
| Other names | Dicky |
| Citizenship | United Kingdom, Kenya |
| Education | King's College London |
| Website | Official website |
Education
editEvans studied civil engineering at King's College London and graduated in 1967.[3]
Career
editIn 1969 Evans became a consulting engineer for the United Nations and the World Bank in Uganda, moving to Kenya in 1971 where he set up a horticultural business, Homegrown Ltd in 1982. He went on to establish the Hemingways Collection of hotels in Kenya for which he remains chairman.[4]
In 1997 when managing director of Homegrown Ltd, he was appointed by President Moi of Kenya to be a member of a Presidential Economic Commission.[5]
Evans took control of Penzance & Newlyn RFC in 1995[6] when the team was competing in the Western county league and struggling with financial problems. The team became the Cornish Pirates under his backing and rose through the National Leagues.[6]
Evans handed over the club to its shareholders and a seven-person board of directors on 1 July 2014. However, he returned to the club in 2016 after it experienced further financial difficulties.[7] Evans bought Truro City F.C. in 2019.[8] The club was promoted to the National League (South) at the end of the 2022/23 season[9] and was sold to a Canadian company during the 2023/24 season.[10]
Honours
editOn 1 January 2024, Evans was appointed a Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George, a knighthood offered to British citizens for service overseas, in recognition of his services to business, sport and charity in Kenya and Cornwall.[11][2]
In 2013 Evans was appointed as a Cornish bard in recognition of his contribution to Cornish culture and given the Cornish name Morlader Pensans, The Pirate of Penzance.[12]
On 12 December 1996 Evans was awarded the Order of the Grand Warrior of Kenya for his services to agribusiness.[13]
References
edit- ^ a b "Dicky Evans: Cornish Pirates owner 'honoured' at knighthood in New Year awards". BBC Sport. 2023-12-30. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
- ^ a b Ziegler, Martyn (2023-12-29). "Kevin Sinfield and Rob Burrow awarded CBEs in new year honours". The Times. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
- ^ "King's alumni honored in King's New Year Honours". King's College London. 2024-01-09. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
- ^ "Meet The Billionaire Hotelier Behind Hemingways Empire". Business Today. 2023-09-12. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
- ^ "Vol. CXXI - No. 74 Narobi, 7th June 2019" (PDF). The Kenya Gazette. Republic of Kenya. 2019-06-07. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
- ^ a b "Cornish Pirates owner Dicky Evans leaves after 20 years". BBC Sport. 2014-06-30. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
- ^ "Cornish Pirates 'almost went out of business' before new funding - Dicky Evans". BBC Sport. 2016-09-23. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
- ^ Vergnault, Olivier (2 January 2024). "Cornish Pirates owner Dicky Evans knighted by King Charles". Cornwall Live. Retrieved 10 July 2024.
- ^ "Cornish Pirates: Dicky Evans to end funding of Championship club by 2025". BBC Sport. 2022-03-15. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
- ^ "Cornwall Rugby league owners take over Truro City as club announces return home". ITV (TV Network). 2023-11-30. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
- ^ "GCMG: Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George". gov.uk. 2023-12-29. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
- ^ "Ancient Penryn site hosts Cornish Gorsedh: PICTURES". The Falmouth Packet. 2013-09-11. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
- ^ "Vol. XCVIII- No. 67" (PDF). The Kenya Gazette. 1996-12-11. Retrieved 2024-03-11.