Richard 'Dicky' Evans, the billionaire behind five-star hotel Hemingways Nairobi, was on Sunday awarded a knighthood in the New Year Honours.
Reports indicate that the businessman was recognised for his efforts in the business sector, sport as well as charity both in the United Kingdom and Kenya.
Owing to this, he received a Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George.
The honour is awarded to men and women who high office or who have shown extraordinary service to the United Kingdom in a foreign country and also showing service to Commonwealth affairs.
"I couldn't have been more surprised or more honoured," Richard stated on his website following the announcement of his knighthood.
"It is impossible to thank everyone individually for the help that they have given me over the years, in life, business, sport and charity. This honour is simply recognition of everyone's efforts over decades, without which none of my ventures would have succeeded."
Born and bred in the United Kingdom, the former rugby player came in the 1970s seeking to play for the Kenyan rugby team and also enjoy some vacation.
While in Watamu, he convinced a British war hero to sell him 22 acres where Seafarers Hotel stood.
A decade later, Richard renamed the hotel Hemingways, after the famous American author and traveller.
Over the years, Richard has raised the portfolio of the hotel to an average of Ksh6 billion, owing to its luxurious 21 apartments consisting of one, two and four bedrooms.
Aside from his trailblazing efforts in Hemingways, he is known for his role in UK rugby team Cornish Pirates' rise to the Championship level.
In the 1980s, Richard also tried his hand in the horticultural business, where he established a firm in Naivasha. He, however, sold the business to James Finlay's in 2007.
