LAST year drew to a close with the spotlight well and truly being shone on Owen Turner as he won the crown of Business Personality of the Year at the 2013 Press Business Awards.

Mr Turner set up his business, United By Design, based in The Mount, in 2008 and has since grown it to include clients such as global professional services firm KPMG, Leeds-based retail giant ASDA stores and national soft toy manufacturer MetroCo.

Through Mr Turner, the agency gets involved with local educational projects, such as Young Enterprise, York St John University’s ACORN and Spark schemes and North Yorkshire Business and Education Partnership (NYBEP).

The business also contributes one per cent of its profits to environmental charities, including Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, as part of the global initiative One Per Cent For The Planet.

Mr Turner’s agency also works with a number of local clients including the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, the University of York, St Peter’s School, Norton College, York Mansion House, food companies SLOEmotion and Choc Affair, plus the Elland and Treboom Breweries.

 

What job would you like to have other than your own and why?

Would love to have been a professional rugby player. My other passion has always been sport and although surfing was close to the top of the list, rugby has always been an incredible sport for me. Technical, exhilarating, intense – you need to be a fantastic individual sportsman but also a better team player.

Greatest achievement?

To be at a place in life where I have an amazing wife and two kids, incredible family and friends and a profession that I love. A very happy man!

What makes you most angry?

Rudeness! Manners do not cost anything.

Biggest mistake?

Usually saying “yes” when I should have said “no”.

What do you need to make life complete?

A little bit of “me” time. A hug from my wife and kids. A walk on the beach followed by fish and chips and a couple of pints of real ale.

Why do you make a difference?

My determination, enthusiasm, ability to listen, attention to detail and to be understanding to others. Most of all having a sense of humour – whatever life throws at you.

Epitaph.

Embraced life; a journey that was full of ups and downs but enjoyed at every twist and turn.

Devoted husband.

Loving father.

Faithful friend.