Sir Hugh Ridley Sykes (12 September 1932 – 30 March 2026) was an English industrialist and investor, noted for championing regeneration in and around Sheffield.
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Early life
Hugh Ridley Sykes was born in Bristol on 12 September 1932. He was educated at Bristol Grammar School and Clare College, Cambridge, where he graduated in Law.
Career
His public work in South Yorkshire includes:
2004-08 Chairman of Renaissance South Yorkshire;
2000-07 Deputy Chairman (later Chairman) of Sheffield One;
1988-97 Chairman of Sheffield Development Corporation.
Sykes was also Chairman of the Sheffield Galleries and Museums Trust, the first museum trust in the country.
His work has been recognised by a series of awards: Honorary Fellow, Sheffield Hallam University, 1991; Deputy Lieutenant for South Yorkshire, 1995; Honorary Doctorate in Laws, University of Sheffield, 1996 and Knight Bachelor in Her Majesty’s Birthday Honours, 1997.
Personal life and death
Sykes was married to Lady (Ruby) Sykes. For some years they lived at Hallfield House, but they then lived at Brookfield Manor, Hathersage which operates as a wedding venue. He died on 31 March 2026, at the age of 93.
His brother was Stephen Sykes.