STATIONERS' WARRANTS - RECOGNISING QUALITY AND DESIGN. - A ARTICLE BY CHAIR OF THE WARRANTS COMMITTEE FREEMAN JOHN LIVINGSTON
15 SEPTEMBER 2025
John Livingston, chair of the Stationer’s Company Warrants Panel discusses how Office Product companies, benefit from being granted a Stationer’s Warrant.
“What did the reviews say?” my wife asked as we entered the restaurant. Oops, I forgot to check, fortunately Caffè Concerto, Trafalgar Square was fantastic. I have less faith than I used to in reviews, this is why I was delighted to become Chair of Stationer’s Company Warrants Panel.
The award of a Stationer’s Warrant highlights original design, product or service innovation and high quality manufacturing / production techniques.
The panel receives applications from manufacturers, service providers and media organisations across our industry (Even industry leading trade publications like Workplace 360).
The experienced industry team independently assess applications against our criteria. Some we refuse, some require more information, many are granted the Stationer’s Warrant to be used as a mark of quality. Warrant holders use it to differentiate their product or service. The panel assessment includes environmental credentials and compliance with ethical trading guidelines.
Warrant holders use it to showcase products or services. Stationer’s Communication Manager Karyn Keating enthusiastically handles the trade PR to get the message out.
The Warrant is a direct link to the Company’s foundation in 1403 when The Lord Mayor of London approved the formation of the Guild of Stationer’s. This gave purchasers the assurance the stationery, books and binding purchased in London was produced by skilled craftsmen.
Rhino pads are a great example of a Warrant Holder. Their SEN range is a quality, innovative product that makes a difference to thousands of dyslexia sufferers. The distinctive Gold Warrant logo differentiates their product from the cheap knock offs that inevitably follow.
There is also the opportunity to highlight a quality product that can grow a mature market like The Mono 100 pencil with it’s unbreakable high density graphite lead and 17 degrees of hardness.
Being a proud stationer I get a buzz when I search for products and one of the choices is displaying the Gold Stationer’s Warrant. It makes them stand out from the rest.
Not all Warrants are for physical products. The Panel were delighted to issue warrants to companies like Office Power. We know it’s a big step for dealers moving to Office Power, we hope our award of the Warrant brings reassurance. The same is true for Prima Software which has worked so hard to enable the independent sector to thrive in a competitive world.
Over my 45 year industry career I have seen innovative products create new markets, only for them to be destroyed by inferior copies. In 1557 The Stationer’s Company received a royal charter giving the Company the right to search for and seize illicit or pirated works. It’s a shame we no longer have these powers. If we did, manufacturers would have more confidence to invest, knowing they would reap the rewards.
I am pleased to lead a team dedicated to help quality companies differentiate their product in an ever changing market.
https://www.Stationer’s.org/company/engagement-with-our-industries/warrants-application