Derby students leave their mark at Ocean King

A collaboration between Ocean King Ltd and students at the University of Derby has brought a powerful visual story to life.

Ocean King Ltd, a family-owned food service business established 28 years ago, has partnered with second-year Fine Art students to design and install a mural depicting the journey of its founding family – the Thais – who fled persecution in Vietnam in 1979 and later founded the company in the UK.

The initiative aligns with Ocean King’s mission of “Creating Opportunity, Enriching Lives” and provides students with real-world experience while celebrating a story of resilience and entrepreneurship.

The project began a year ago when Ocean King Ltd invited the students to their headquarters in Derby to hear first-hand about the company’s origins and the challenges faced by its founders.

Inspired by this narrative, the students were given a creative brief: to design a mural that would reflect the themes of migration, perseverance, and success.

Benas Krompalcas was selected as the winning student for his mural design, which not only tells the Thai family’s story but also cleverly integrates Ocean King’s brand identity.

His design incorporates the company’s colour scheme while symbolising doors of opportunity opening throughout the journey—an artistic representation of how Ocean King Ltd has created opportunities for its employees, customers, and community.

Under the guidance of Senior Lecturer Carl Robinson, the students worked to refine the final piece, ensuring it was both visually striking and meaningful.

Robinson praised the collaboration, stating: “This has been a fantastic opportunity for our students to take their skills beyond the classroom and into a professional environment.

“Working with Ocean King Ltd has given them first-hand experience of responding to a real-world brief, considering client needs, and using art to tell an important story.”

The mural was installed in March 2025 and now takes pride of place within Ocean King’s Derby headquarters—just a few steps from where some of the UK’s finest prawns are stored and prepared for nationwide distribution.

For Ocean King Ltd, this partnership is part of a wider commitment to supporting education and community engagement.

CEO Steven Thai expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating: “We believe in creating opportunities and enriching lives, not just through our business but by working with the wider community. This mural is more than just a piece of art – it’s a symbol of resilience, collaboration, and the importance of storytelling in business.”