Page 23 - BOSS Today Issue 46

60 SECOND INTERVIEW BOSS Today #46

THE GREAT

CONNECTOR

Specialist OP market researcher Martin Wilde talks to Steve Hilleard, CEO of OPI and winner of the 2019 BOSS
Outstanding Achievement Award.

MW: Please can you give me a history of your does not get the recognition it the end-user, but of course
career to date? deserves. digitisation has massively impacted
SD: I owned 50% of an OP dealer in our channel and traditional product
the late 1980s/early 1990s, but it MW: Which industry figures have influenced categories and it continues to give
came to an inglorious end and I left you most and in what ways? many in our industry a headache
the industry for a couple of years. SD: There have been a number, but today. Overall, I think it’s made us
I then got involved in the creation the one that stands out most is up our game, but at the moment
of OPI in 1991 and have been CEO James Fellowes, who has been an we are in the middle of a rather
since 2000. inspirational figure in our industry unpleasant transition.
for me and for many others. He ran
MW: In what way does OPI most benefit the a fantastically successful family MW: Is the industry generally a better or worse
industry? business, but he has never lost place now than when you first started?
SD: We have been described as ‘the sight of his family's core values, SD: It’s a far more disciplined,
glue that binds the industry which permeate right through the professional, streamlined sector
together’, and our tagline is company. He has been a great role now. Would I say it is more
“Connecting the business model and mentor for me, and enjoyable? Probably not, but that
products world”. We like to think if I am ever faced with a tricky doesn’t stop us trying!
of ourselves as an organisation situation, I tend to ask myself
which promotes prosperity “What would James do?” MW: Finally, please tell me something about
and opportunities within the yourself that few others know.
OP industry by educating, MW: What has been the highlight of your career SD: I was a St John’s Ambulance Cadet
providing networking forums, and in the industry so far? in my teens: I used to have a
connecting people. SD: Winning this Award and, before beret and a white handbag full of
that, winning the Queen’s Award bandages and spent my weekends
MW: What was your first reaction on realising for Export Achievement in 1998 attending rock concerts, festivals
that you had won this Award? and going to Buckingham Palace to and gymkhanas!
SD: Total shock – and a wish that I meet the Queen.
hadn’t finished that last glass of
red wine! I was initially confused as MW: What has been the greatest change in the
to why BOSS would pick me when industry since you first became involved in
there were other people from such it, and is the industry better or worse for
great companies in the room. On that change?
further reflection, I am quite proud SD: Technology undoubtedly has
to accept the Award on behalf of impacted the industry positively
a press community which maybe in terms of the way we can service

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