Express & Star

Richardson family launches £5,000 bursary for University of Wolverhampton student

A University of Wolverhampton student is set to benefit from a £5,000 bursary courtesy of the Black Country's famous Richardson family.

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The landmark headquarters of the Richardson business, on the Birchley Island at Oldbury

The family says it is keen to support a second year business studies student who, like their own business, has roots in the Black Country and also is involved within their local community.

A panel made up of university lecturers and Richardson representatives will interview five shortlisted students at the start of October. As well as the £5,000 bursary the family will also offer a month’s internship split between the company's London and Oldbury offices.

Ken Bate, speaking on behalf of the Richardson family, said: “The Richardson Family Foundation is really looking forward to working in partnership with the University of Wolverhampton to find a bright and enthusiastic student to support at the start of their business career. It’s a great opportunity to help nurture a future talent and for the family to continue its backing for the region.”

“As a business that was established in the West Midlands but now has interests across the UK and around the world, we are impressed how the university has also grown and developed over recent years and is putting the city firmly on the academic map.”

Professor Jackie Dunne, deputy vice-chancellor for lifelong learning at the University of Wolverhampton, said: “We’re delighted to be working with the Richardson family to provide this bursary to one of our students.

“As the University of Opportunity we pride ourselves on making higher education as accessible as possible. This will really help to support the successful student, not only with their studies, but also through what one of them will learn as part of the experience through an internship with the company.”

Built as a property empire by Roy Richardson and his late twin brother Don, for the last 20 years Roy's sons Martyn, Lee and Carl have been at the helm expanding the range of the business which operates across the UK and around the world from its offices in Oldbury and London.

The launch of the bursary comes in the wake of an investment prize of up to £30,000 put up by the family's Richardson Brothers Foundation at this year's Venturefest event in Birmingham.

Working alongside Pitchfest, the Richardson Brothers Foundation is attending the Venturefest event in Birmingham on Thursday to shortlist exciting new businesses to win its inaugural new venture competition.

The top prize is £30,000 investment with two runners-up taking £1,000 each.

Established in 2006, the Richardson Foundation has supported a string of good causes across the Midlands over the years but the venture competition is a new initiative.

Through the Foundation, the Richardson family says it wants to invest in a regional business that will support economic growth and create job opportunities in the West Midlands.