AN ENORMOUSLY generous Herefordshire businessman who has donated millions of pounds to charities has died aged 83.
Philanthropist Clive Richards helped dozens of good causes across Herefordshire and the rest of the UK after setting up a charity with his wife, Sylvia.
Mr Richards died on Friday, his wife said.
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In 2014, Mr Richards donated £1 million to the Bartestree-based St Michael's Hospice for a major refurbishment.
At the time, the hospice thanked his "enormous generosity" to ensure the hospice can meet patients' needs.
With his wife, he set up the Clive Richards Charity in 1987, and thanks to the serial entrepreneur’s hugely successful business career and investments they gain enormous fulfilment by regularly donating to many charities and organisations in their home county.
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The fund was created to support communities and individuals by giving them access to education and pathways to independence.
Mr Richards, who was awarded a CBE in 2020, first came to Herefordshire soft fruit picking, and then lived at the 2,000-acre Lower Hope Farm in Ullingswick, near Bromyard.
The charity's website said Clive Richards was born on September 1, 1937, and went to Bishop Vesey Grammar School in Birmingham.
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"He served articles with KPMG in Birmingham and qualified as a cost and management accountant in 1959, passed the final of the Chartered Institute of Secretaries and as a chartered accountant in 1960," it added.
"He has spent the rest of his career in the City of London firstly with the Jobbers Wedd Durlacher where he became managing partner 1960 to 1970 and then with Rothschild Group 1970 to 1976.
"He then became a serial entrepreneur for the rest of his career building up, floating and/or selling several PLCs.
He was awarded the OBE for Charity in 2000 and in 2018 the KSG – Papal Knighthood of the Equestrian Order of St Gregory the Great.
"Outside interests include a 2,000-acre estate in Herefordshire, rugby football, cricket, shooting and country pursuits including breeding and training black Labradors.
"He was awarded the CBE in the New Year's Honours list 2020."
Other organisations in Herefordshire to benefit from Mr Richards's generosity include Hereford County Hospital, where he bought a CT scanner worth £250,000, The Conquest Theatre and Queen Elizabeth High School in Bromyard, and John Kyrle High School in Ross-on-Wye.
More to follow.
Community answers
Clive Richards: share your memories and condolences
"Share your memories and pictures or leave a message of condolence after the death of well-known Herefordshire philanthropist Clive Richards"
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Share your memories and messages of condolencea great and kind man Adrian Richards
Share your memories and messages of condolenceClive taught me all I know about stocks and shares when he managed the research department at Durlacher's. A wonderful man: kind and generous. An absolute genius, and we shan't see his like again.
Share your memories and messages of condolenceMy grateful thanks to Clive Richards for delving into his charitable pockets and giving a donation to the 1805 Club in order to complete the duel dedications to the Vice Admirals Nelson and Collingwood Plaques in the Painted Hall at Greenwich. The latest additions to the Painted Hall decorations for nearly 300 years. Anthony Wozencroft (former Projects Officer)
Share your memories and messages of condolenceHerefordshire Samaritans would like to send sincere condolences to Sylvia and family on the passing of the inimitable Clive Richards, CBE. Herefordshire Samaritans benefitted from Clive and Sylvia's generosity over the years, including financial help towards purchasing our base in Berrington Street, Hereford, and in opening their gardens at Lower Ullingswick to the public to raise funds for us, for which we remain very grateful indeed. Clive will be fondly remembered in many ways, but especially as an amazing philanthropist to the people of our county and beyond.
Share your memories and messages of condolenceI met Mr and Mrs Clive Richards in the Rankin Club. They were an amazing couple and easy to converse with. Of course, I know and appreciate all they both gave through their generosity to the town of Leominster and the county of Herefordshire. May I offer my sincere condolences to Mrs Richards at this sad time.
Share your memories and messages of condolenceMany years ago I valeted his Land Rove after one of his shoots. As you can imagine it was challenging but fun. So after I completed this task, Clive introduced me to his Bentley. What a pleasant surprise to be able to valet this beautiful classic. Clive and Sylvia were very kind to me and my young son. Clive was always a gentleman. A lovely guy with a generous and big heart. RIP, Clive
Share your memories and messages of condolenceClive was one of the most kind and supportive people I have met! He was immensely generous to Diabetes UK, a charity that meant a great deal to him personally, and he and I spoke several times together to different audiences about our respective experiences of diabetes, relying often on his humour to retain the attention of the audiences! RIP, Clive, a truly lovely man who will be hugely missed. Richard Lane OBE, Ambassador and Immediate Past President, Diabetes UK
Share your memories and messages of condolenceSo sad to hear Clive Richards has died. He was an amazing man who helped so many in Herefordshire. He will be missed.
Share your memories and messages of condolenceMembers of Bromyard Rugby Football Club are greatly saddened to hear of the passing of our longstanding club president, Clive Richards. With Clive's enthusiasm and support our community now boasts a thriving rugby club with mini, junior, girls sections, colts team, ladies touch team and senior male teams, for this we are deeply indebted. Clive actively supported the junior and senior teams and it was truly a pleasure having him on the touchline and being part of our rugby family. He will be sadly missed. Our thoughts are with Sylvia at this sad time.
Share any pictures you have of Clive Richards
Clive Richards attending junior festival at Bromyard RFC with Veseyans Rugby Club, both clubs benefiting from Clive's generosity. Share your memories and messages of condolenceA man of our time. Wealth used in a way to benefit so many people in his local area . My daughter played a number of times for Bromyard wind band at Lower hope raising money for charity at a wonderful venue Clive's home . RIP, a Gentleman in the true sense of the word.
Share your memories and messages of condolenceClive was an incredible supporter of education and we have remained in contact throughout my time at Weobley. Both he and Sylvia have visited the school on many occasions and have been unswerving in their dedication and generosity. His commitment to Herefordshire schools and improving the life chances of our future generations is unparalleled. I was always impressed at how well he understood the challenges facing schools; not just in general, but specifically. He maintained a keen eye on each school and was always happy to offer his support and advice. He will be greatly missed. Herefordshire has lost a true gentleman.
Share your memories and messages of condolenceMany memories of all the help you gave Herefordshire Y.F.C. and all the rallies we held at Lower Hope. Thoughts go out to all the family. R.I.P. Clive
Share your memories and messages of condolenceVery sorry to hear of the death of my uncle, and very impressed and proud of his astounding generosity and of the legacy he has created with his wife. I only wish I had known him more during his amazing business and charitable life Dominic Hessian/ nephew
Share your memories and messages of condolenceThe staff, governors and students of Queen Elizabeth High School were greatly saddened to hear of the recent passing of Clive Richards, a gentleman we were very fortunate to know and consider a good friend. With Sylvia by his side, Clive always looked to give back to his local community with a particular fondness for education and we were fortunate to benefit from their generosity when we approached Clive, Sylvia and their Trustees to develop our Vocational Centre, without their support the project would not have come to fruition and for their help we will remain forever grateful. As a school community we plan to commission a small seating area on the school grounds overlooking Lower Hope in memory of Clive as well as plant a cherry tree which we believe is a fitting tribute that students and the community will be able to enjoy for years to come ensuring fond memories of Clive and his lasting legacy to our school.
Share any pictures you have of Clive Richards
The opening of the Clive and Sylvia Richards Vocational Centre at Queen Elizabeth High School Bromyard by Cllr Jonathan Lester fully funded by the Clive and Sylvia Richards Charity. Share your memories and messages of condolenceThank you for your generosity, friendship and continued support over many years. Herefordians Cricket Club
Share your memories and messages of condolenceWe say goodbye to a most remarkable gentleman of extreme genorosity to many local charities. I was always interested in his charities, and especially the most generous funding to our magnificent St Michael's Hospice. RIP Sir. We also send our sympathy to his dear wife.
Share your memories and messages of condolenceClive shared his good fortune with people of Bromyard, and especially the rugby club. That single act of generosity benefitted my two children immensely, providing happy memories, during a time of stress as we underwent a divorce.
Clive Richards: share your memories and condolences
Share your memories and pictures or leave a message of condolence after the death of well-known Herefordshire philanthropist Clive Richards
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