10 January 2024
Rygor Group Ltd. has entered 2024 in a positive way, with the promotion of Kate Ruberry-Shoemack into a brand-new role, as the Group’s director of people & communications.
Kate, who last year celebrated ten years with the business, joins the five existing board members (owner-directors, John Keogh and Rish Channa, aftersales director Sean Joyce, finance director, Tim Smith, and non-executive, Rajesh Sharma) as they continue to strategically develop the multi-franchise dealer Group, building on success and expanding their team across all areas of the Group.
Kate has been with the Rygor business since 2013, when she joined as digital campaign manager, before being promoted to communications manager in January 2015. Since this time, she has been at the forefront of refining and enhancing the company’s people and HR processes, communications and culture, and training and development.
In 2019, Kate progressed into the new role of head of people and communications, and within this role she has been pivotal in implementing positive change for the business, including supporting the business through an MBO in November 2022 and facilitating a full Group rebrand in summer 2023. In addition, in September 2023, Rygor Group Ltd. achieved official certification as a Great Place to Work for the second year running, in light of the brilliant company culture the business continues to invest in.
Rygor Group Ltd. joint owner and managing director, John Keogh, said: “Since we took over the business in November 2022, we’ve been incredibly impressed by Kate’s ability to combine industry and company knowledge with her experience in people management and communications, something that was recognised when Kate was announced as highly commended at the Barbara Cox Woman of the Year Awards, 2023. She is incredibly approachable – proving herself to be an exceptional leader. During the last 18 months, Kate has made a real difference to the business, taking on additional responsibilities, and her commitment to achieving the best outcome for Rygor Group and our team is unparalleled. We are delighted she has joined us on the Board and look forward to working alongside her as we steer Rygor towards even greater success.”
Commenting on Kate’s promotion to the board, Rish Channa, joint owner and commercial director at Rygor Group Ltd., said: “We are delighted that once again this year we can promote from within our incredible team. This promotion is an exciting one for our business, and we look forward to seeing Kate continue to progress both personally and professionally. Last year was unprecedented, and it continues to be an exciting time to be a member of Team Rygor. Kate is exceptionally motivated and fully supportive of our team and our business, throughout her career to date. We know that she will continue to lead and inspire as a director, and we look forward to working with her for many years to come.”
Kate said: “Rygor is a business I am incredibly passionate about, and it is a career highlight to have been asked to join the Board of Directors. I love working alongside John, Rish, Sean and Tim to make Rygor a truly Great Place to Work – something I am proud that we have officially achieved certification for, for two years running. The Rygor Board’s passion and dedication are inspiring, and my time at Rygor so far has been rewarding both professionally and personally. “Since the birth of my daughter in 2021, I’ve become even more passionate about championing equity in the workplace, and I look forward to promoting a sense of belonging for our team at Rygor through our people strategy and company culture. As part of this, I want to see even more women joining our industry, in all sorts of roles, and I hope they will feel as I do, that they have opportunities to develop and achieve,” Kate added.
