Other bugger's efforts

Not true in this case, as Andrew Pindar is the worthy recipient for his services to business and to the community

Andrew Pindar, Chairman of international printing and visual communications company, Pindar and leading independent sailing team Bahrain Team Pindar was today honoured by His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales at an investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace. Pindar became an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in recognition of his services to business and to community in the United Kingdom.

Pindar is Chairman of G A Pindar & Son Ltd, a fourth generation, family-owned print and publishing business based in Scarborough and is a leading and respected figure in the printing industry around the world. He sits on the board of the British Printing Industry Federation and has chaired the Printing Industry Forum for the last five year. In his role as Chairman of ‘Vision in Print’, he has been a pioneering influence in helping businesses to reduce waste and improve efficiencies through lean manufacturing techniques across the UK.

After collecting the prestigious accolade, Pindar commented: "Receiving the OBE from His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales was an immensely proud moment for me. It is a huge honour and something that I would like to share with my family and all the many people who have supported our projects in business, the community and sporting arenas. Pindar's philosophy as a company has always been to act responsibly in the community and we are blessed with some highly talented staff, who have led by example and communicated our values to a wider community.”

His OBE follows a number of other high profile awards including a Professorship of the University of the Arts, London in 2001 and his appointment as Deputy Lieutenant of North Yorkshire in 2004. He sits on the board of Earthwatch, an international environmental charity, which supports scientific research around the world and is also a member of the Merchant Adventurers of the City of York, a livery company that dates back to 1357.

Away from business Pindar's passion for the sea is perhaps where the ‘Pindar’ name has become most widely associated. Best known for its sponsorship of Emma Sanderson (née Richards) in the 2002-03 Around Alone Race, Pindar has supported a broad range of sailing campaignsover for the last 25 years, from grass roots and local community projects through to international events at the pinnacle of the sport, including current double ISAF World Match Racing Champion, Ian Williams.

Pindar is widely regarded as one of sailing’s unsung heroes for his generosity and often quiet support of projects such as quadriplegic sailor, Hilary Lister’s record-breaking English Channel crossing, HSBC Sailing Academies for inner-city youngsters and personal support of Pete Goss and Derek Hatfield. His charity proved invaluable in two significant mid-ocean rescues, where he sent the team’s former fishing trawler to the aid of solo sailors Simone Bianchetti and Jean-Pierre Dick, after they had dismasted.

In February, record-breaking yachtsman, Brian Thompson finished fifth on board the Bahrain Team Pindar Open 60 in the 2008/2009 Vendée Globe. It was the first time a boat carrying the Kingdom of Bahrain flag had sailed round the world, for which Brian was awarded the Order of Bahrain from His Majesty King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa, after whom the boat was renamed.

With the blessing of His Majesty the King of Bahrain and in conjunction with GOYS (General Organization of Youth and Sport) and the BMSA (British Maritime Sports Association), Pindar and his Bahrain Team Pindar associates are now transferring their experience to help develop world class watersport facilities in the Kingdom of Bahrain, to inspire a new generation of champions and make the seas accessible for sailors of all abilities.