Andrew Pindar receives OBE at Buckingham Palace

Andrew Pindar receives OBE in recognition of his services to business and to community © Helen Atkinson / Lloyd Images

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. Andrew was awarded an OBE, (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) in recognition of his services to business and to community in the United Kingdom.

Andrew 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 5 year. In his role as Chairman of ‘Vision in Print’, Andrew 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, Andrew 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. ”

The 2009 British honours list pays tribute to outstanding achievement and service across the United Kingdom of Britain and Northern Ireland. Andrew’s 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. Andrew 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 his 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 campaigns 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.

Andrew 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 2009, record-breaking yachtsman, Brian Thompson finished fifth on board the Bahrain Team Pindar Open 60 in the 2008/2009 edition of the Vendée Globe – the gruelling solo, non-stop round the word yacht race. 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), Andrew 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.

Today, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was visiting the new Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy, which will play host to the sailing activity during the 2012 Olympic Games.