[1][2] Ridgway was elected state president of the South Australian Rural Youth Movement in 1982–83.

After purchasing the business in 1997 with his wife Meredith, they expanded the operation to become the largest producer of gladioli corms in Australia and New Zealand.

In February 2013, Ridgway was further promoted to the crucial portfolios of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Forests and Tourism.

[4] On 13 January 2020, by proclamation of the Governor, Ridgway was relieved of the Tourism portfolio in his ministerial position.

[6] Ridgway resigned from the Legislative Council in June 2021 in order to be appointed as South Australia's Agent-General in London.