OB Business recognised with Queen's Enterprise Award

Ryan Burville (OB 2003-07), Mike Tann (OB 2000-07) and Will Roeder (OB 1996-07) were always like-minded individuals, all attending Loughborough University post-Brentwood and then entering into the Energy Trading industry. However 13 years after they left School, it’s fair to say none of them quite expected to run a business with a turnover of £12m and be the recipients of the prestigious Queen’s Enterprise Award. 

Their core business, Select Offshore, works with Energy and Maritime companies to supply them with key workers and Select Tech, which is headed up by Will, provides specialist Cloud Computing consultants. The demand for renewable energy via offshore wind farms is growing and so the installation of new bases is vital. Last year however, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many workers found themselves stranded at sea or stuck on vessels moored unable to dock in port. It was then that they decided to intervene and set up repatriation solutions, grouping individuals together to charter large private aircraft and return them home safely and efficiently to countries with closed borders whilst implementing strict Covid-19 protocols.

Since they began this effort, they have repatriated over 3,500 individuals, coordinated 21 flights to far-flung places such as Trinidad, Panama, Vietnam and Myanmar, and worked closely with embassies and governments for stranded individuals, taking the stress away from these essential workers and ship owners. The outstanding growth in the company’s international trade is what has resulted in a staggering £12m turnover this year and it has been recognised nationally with the presentation of the Queen’s Enterprise Award, an accolade which only 7,000 companies have won since its inception in 1965. Although the presentation at Buckingham Palace to receive their award had to be cancelled last year, they are still delighted with this achievement and hope to be able to attend in 2021.