Richard ‘Dicky’ Evans, the founder of Flamingo Holdings, has been knighted in King Charles III’s New Year’s Honours List. The Knighthood recognizes Sir Richard’s remarkable contributions to business, sports, and charity, spanning both Kenya and the UK. This prestigious title pays homage to his enduring commitment to values such as service, entrepreneurship, community, optimism, and resilience, all of which resonate through the businesses he established, including Homegrown in 1982 and Flamingo Holdings in 1994.
Accepting the invitation to become a Knight Commander of the Most Distinguished Order of St Michael and St George, Sir Richard will now be titled Sir Richard Evans, KCMG OGW. Expressing his surprise and deep honor, he attributes this achievement to the unwavering support of family, friends, and countless collaborators. Sir Richard extends his gratitude to His Majesty King Charles for bestowing this distinction, emphasizing their shared connections to Cornwall and Kenya.
Born in Penzance Hospital, Sir Richard’s journey from Cornwall to Kings College, London, and then to Africa, where he constructed UN-funded clean water systems, showcases his dedication to service. In Kenya, he utilized his water irrigation expertise to enhance agricultural quality, founding Homegrown Ltd in 1982. His impact resonated internationally as Homegrown gained fame for supplying roses and produce to major UK supermarkets. The establishment of Flamingo Holdings in 1994 further solidified his legacy, with Sir Richard maintaining close ties with co-founder Martin Hudson.
Renowned for substantially improving Kenya’s balance of payments and fostering economic growth, Sir Richard was honored with the Order of the Grand Warrior (OGW) in 1996 for his contributions to agribusiness. Beyond business, his involvement in rescuing The Cornish Pirates in the 1990s has left an indelible mark, solidifying their status as a top 20 English rugby team.
His dedication to Cornish sport and culture led to his investiture as a Cornish Bard in 2013, earning him the Cornish name “Morlader Pensans” – the Pirate of Penzance. Despite maintaining privacy about his philanthropy, recent revelations highlight Sir Richard’s substantial support for schools, individuals in need of medical treatment, and the living costs of disabled or parentless children in both the UK and Kenya. As Sir Richard Evans assumes the distinguished title of KCMG OGW, his life’s work stands as an inspiration for collective efforts in making a difference, particularly in the field of horticulture.
