JUDGE’S NAME Will Tyler
British Innovation remains world-leading, with British companies adding to the country’s achievements every year
CATEGORY Sustainable Development AREA OF INTEREST Small Business Inclusion
Octink Chief Executive Will Tyler has over 30 years’ experience at the forefront the UK’s display & large format digital printing industry. A CommunityMark company with over 100 staff, Octink commands an annual turnover in the region of £16 million and puts environmental protection and early learning (in terms of social priorities) at the core of its activities. Away from the office, Will is the Chair of ‘Spark!’, the Hounslow Education Business Partnership that helps inspire and prepare young people for working life. In addition, he also sits as a member of the Council for the London Chamber of Commerce, and frequently participates in public speaking events with business forums.
WHAT’S YOUR TOP TIP FOR A COMPANY THAT IS THINKING OF APPLYING FOR A QUEEN’S AWARD? Often, you are doing things intuitively that can warrant a successful application. However, this is about where you see your key differentiation or something that you feel has outperformed the competition. The Award is in place to recognise those efforts and as such there should be every reason for you to enter. DESCRIBE THE BENEFITS OF BEING A QUEEN’S AWARDSWINNER, AS YOU SEE IT As a winner of such a well-regarded reward, there is a multitude of opportunities to be had through both marketing and networking. The marketing element should give a good springboard to those companies that may be looking abroad. I also believe that the Queen's Award sits as a mark of excellence alongside the more traditional quality standard accreditations. DESCRIBE A FEW FEATURES YOU BELIEVE MAKE BRITISH BUSINESSES SUCH A GLOBAL SUCCESS Britain still represents a trusted partner in most parts of the world. The basis of our laws alongside the standards we hold our companies to gives comfort to trading partners across the world. British Innovation remains world-leading, with British companies adding to the country’s achievements every year.
WHAT MADE YOU CHOOSE TO BE A JUDGE FOR THE QUEEN’S AWARDS? Octink was one of the early adopters of the CommunityMark through BITC and at the time the smallest company involved. I accepted the offer in the belief the Award needed a broader representation in the small and medium enterprise sector. WHY DO THE QUEEN’S AWARDS MATTER TO BUSINESS? The Queen's Awards are one of the most prestigious business awards as they truly recognise the vanguards in industry through all the categories. The link to the Queen gives a strength and gravitas to the Award in a way very similar to a complicated accreditation. This is particularly well received across the Middle East. WHAT DOYOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT BEING A QA JUDGE? The diversity of applications has always been a big draw. In the Sustainable Development category the successful applicants go so far beyond expectations you feel genuinely proud to be associated with their activities through the Award. WHAT SPARKS YOUR INTEREST ACROSS QUEEN’S AWARD APPLICANTS THIS YEAR? Each year delivers a big surprise in terms of the creativity of the approach. Often you see small initiatives whether through design, recycling or community engagement which deliver a huge benefit to both the company and the communities allied to them.
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