Merry Hill tycoon Roy Richardson hailed as 'titan' in business landscape

The Black country businessman, probably best known for he and his brother's work in the creation of the Merry Hill Shopping Centre, was handed the President's medal at the annual meeting of the Greater Birmingham Chamber of Commerce.

Mr Richardson and his late brother Don are best known for their redevelopment of the Round Oak Steelworks site and the surrounding land in Brierley Hill, creating the Merry Hill shopping centre and the Waterfront business park in the 1980s.

Mr Richardson, who was made a Freeman of the Borough of Dudley in 2018, was recognised by Greater Birmingham Chamber of Commerce president Saqib Bhatti for his achievements.

Mr Bhatti said: “I was delighted to present the honour to a genuinely humble man and his family. Roy and his family epitomise business as a force for good.”

Mr Richardson added: “I regard this award as a great honour and receive with pride. The success of the Richardson business is down to our employees.”

There was widespread praise for Roy and his family.

Paul Faulkner, chief executive of the Greater Birmingham Chamber of Commerce, said: "Roy Richardson is an absolute titan of business in the region. He has great pride and passion and he and his family’s contribution to the regional business economy has been immense.

“This important and admirable contribution aligns absolutely with the ethos of the Chamber in looking after the interests of members and the wider business community.”

Qasim Majid, president of the Asian Business Chamber of Commerce, said: “It’s marvellous to see a business figure such as Roy Richardson and his family being honoured in this way. He and his family’s contribution to the regional economy has been enormous.”

Today, the Richardson business is run by Roy’s sons Martyn, Lee and Carl. The family remain active developers and investors, not only in the UK, but also in Europe, North America, Singapore and Australasia.

Current projects include 25 logistical hubs around the country to supply the rapidly expanding ‘click and collect’ market and a 750,000 sq ft office development in central Manchester.

The family’s long established partnership with Europe’s retail outlet operator McArthurGlen has seen them establish schemes stretching from Vancouver to Rome and Salzburg.

The President’s Medal was made at the city’s Acme works.