Norman Tenray

Norman Tenray is a British businessman and digital entrepreneur, the CEO of the OBAS Group.
Career
Tenray started his career in a YTS scheme when he left school, which resulted in the company appointing him European Product Manager responsible for three vertical market products. He then established his first business at 19 before becoming the Technical Director in charge of 80 people at the age of 21 in The City.
Tenray launched Focused Computer Technologies Limited in 1996. The firm was a specialist consultancy, sales, support and training company for the design, PR, production, media, repro, print and communications industries.
In 2014 Tenray was awarded Regional Entrepreneur of the Year 2014 by The British Chamber of Commerce. and was a finalist in the national Entrepreneur of the Year 2014 at the British Chamber of Commerce Awards.
OBAS Group
In 2004 the OBAS brand was created to encompass his growing business interests. pon moving to the North West from the South Coast in 2008, OBAS UK was formed as a distribution business, which now sells more than 17,000 product lines from its Longridge (near Preston) headquarters . It was formed as a result of the acquisition of four failed businesses. Focused Investments Ltd was also created by Norman and wife Michelle to manage the growing assets and interests of the various business interests of the OBAS Group
Chamber of Commerce
Tenray is currently a board director and vice-president of the North & Western Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, as well as an entrepreneur in residence at Lancaster University, chair of the Remuneration Committee for the NWLCC and chair of the Business Finance Commission (which incorporates Lancashire Business Finance Forum, Lancashire Economic Commission, NW Bank of England Advisory Panel and Lancashire Economic Survey), fellow of the Lancashire Community Foundation and member of the Development Advisory Group for Lancashire Community Foundation. Tenray was announced as President of the North & Western Lancashire Chamber of Commerce in September 2014. Whilst being vice-president, Tenray was involved in the North West's business awards, the BIBAs and having been a recipient of the award in the past also runs workshops to help people understand the judging process and to increases their chances of success in the awards.
In April 2014 he hosted an event for the North & Western Chamber of Commerce where Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee, Dr Ben Broadbent spoke about the state of the economy.
On Wednesday 2 July, Tenray is set to chair and host an event which will see executives from Heathrow Airport argue the case for the continued development of Heathrow as the UK's primary hub-airport, reporting on the findings from recent research whilst in 4 November's issue of Lancashire Evening Post Tenray argued strongly for the adoption of a hub airport at Heathrow.
In May 2015 Tenray placed a wreath at the National Arboretum on behalf of business in the North West for the fallen servicemen and women who have "fallen for their country".
Philanthropic and Charitable Activities
Tenray is a vocal advocate of philanthropy in the North West and in May 2014 he assisted in a presentation about philanthropy in which His Grace, The Duke of Westminster was the keynote speaker.
As well as his philanthropic activities Tenray works closely with a number of charities through the OBAS Group.
Tenray has worked closely with various institutions to better integrate business, education, charity and cultural and in the inaugural blog post on the new Preston council website Tenray said "Working with different sectors gives a business tremendous insight into those others fields, for example working with education can help a business learn how to better understand its customers, whilst working with an organisation such as the Chamber of Commerce gives us a great understanding of legislation and policy.In dealing with businesses that may have no discernible synergy with our own business and even working collaboratively with businesses that may view us as competitors, we’re able to grow as a business. Ultimately, in understanding the real needs of your community better places your business to understand the needs of its customers and its workforce."
In 2014 Tenray was asked to represent the business community as a judge the finalists of Miss Blackpool 2014.
Press
Tenray is often featured in the press, commenting on the a wide range of issues from the state of the economy as well as on topics that face the business community locally.
On 30 June 2014 Tenray gave his opinion about the changes to flexible working legislation on BBC Radio Lancashire, later commenting on OBAS UK's blog: "Most professional businesses understand how important it is to work with their key members of staff to ensure they can operate at their maximum capacity in a manner that best suits them. In order to manage this successfully, businesses must address this head on and outline their expectations to their staff so there’s no possibility for a negative dynamic created, especially where requests are unsuccessful."
Tenray was invited to travel on the inaugural journey of the Blackpool to London Virgin rail service, commenting "connectivity is key for the growth of business".
On 25th February 2015 Tenray was featured on BBC News at 10 discussing the benefits of shale gas extracted to Lancashire, the North West and the wider business community.

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