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12 June 2025

UK - The ABTT Theatre Show came alive at Alexandra Palace in London with the annual ABTT Awards hosted by the Association of British Theatre Technicians. This event showcases the contributions people in the industry have been making to theatre and live events.

Ted Moore, director at sponsor TAIT said of the Awards: “TAIT are really proud to be here once again to sponsor the ABTT Awards, which I truly believe are the best award presentations anywhere in our industry. We wish all the nominees good luck and give congratulations to whoever the winners may be.”

The highly sought after People Awards included the ABTT Technician of the Year, the ABTT Award for Emerging Excellence and the ABTT Cmyru Nick Bache Technician of the Year Award which all recognise the achievements of individuals both starting out and well-established in their backstage careers

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11 June 2025

UK - AbsenLive, a sub-category brand of LED manufacturer Absen, has announced the appointment of Murray Scott to its growing UK team and in the process bolster its rental services and solutions for the events, virtual production, and broadcasting sectors.

Murray joins as business development manager for the UK and Ireland. He brings with him a wealth of experience in sales and purchasing, having dedicated 30 years to both FMCG and independent businesses. His most recent experience involves working with transparent LED for the retail and rental LED market, making him an asset to Absen and its innovative growth plans.

"I’m eager to embark on this new chapter in the world of rental and staging LED," says Murray. “I was drawn to Absen by its outstanding product range and the exceptional support provided by the teams in the UK, Europe, and China. I lo

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11 June 2025

USA - Antari Lighting and Effects USA has announced the appointment of Ana Jaramillo as East Coast regional sales manager. With over 25 years of experience in the professional lighting and effects industry, including 23 years at Chauvet and additional time at Vestax and The DJ Store, Jaramillo brings considerable knowledge and strong industry relationships to the Antari USA team.

Based in South Florida, Jaramillo will oversee East Coast sales efforts for Antari’s full line of atmospheric effect products and serve as a dedicated lighting specialist for the U.S. distribution of the Event Lighting brand. With a solid background in lighting, atmospherics, and DJ effects, she is eager to apply her expertise and passion to support dealers and end users across the region.

“I am so excited and happy to join Ray and his team here at Antari USA,” said Ja

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06 June 2025

UK - Solstice AV has announced the latest addition to its leadership team, with the appointment of Louise Abbey as the company’s new marketing director.

Louise brings more than 20 years of B2B marketing knowledge and experience to the company, having held senior positions across vendor, distributor, and reseller organisations operating in the fast-paced ICT sector. Louise will lead the company’s marketing strategy, working as a key advisor to the board and collaborating with Solstice’s vendor and reseller partners to unlock new opportunities and drive mutual profitability.

Based at Solstice AV’s Gloucestershire headquarters, Louise’s appointment follows recent milestones for Solstice AV, including the recent appointment of Chris Ball as chief finance & operating officer, plus UK distribution partnerships with LED display leader LianTron

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06 June 2025

The Netherlands – PPDS has announced the appointment of AV/IT specialist Marco van der Knaap as its new global product manager of Philips LED displays.

With a 25-year career dedicated almost exclusively to LED, Marco will support the team in navigating the marketplace, continuing to position the expanding Philips direct view LED displays range in line with PPDS’ global strategy and growth ambitions. He is based in Amsterdam and reports to Jeroen Brants, global product director for LED at PPDS.

Marco comments: “I am thrilled to join PPDS and to take on the responsibility of growing the Philips LED business. With Philips' strong brand presence and the support of an exceptional team, I see tremendous potential to deliver ever more innovative solutions that exceed customer expectations worldwide. PPDS shares an unparalleled commitment to bringing i

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04 June 2025

USA - A very well-known figure in the entertainment lighting industry, Brad Schiller has joined GLP to lead the new Lighting Technology Engagement Team, based out of the company’s Americas headquarters in Los Angeles, California.

In a decades-spanning career, Schiller has been at the forefront of many lighting innovations that have made their way into the mainstream from his work with manufacturers, while also being the author of multiple industry articles and books, including The Automated Lighting Programmer’s Handbook and Living the Lighting Life. He has also been a featured speaker, most recently at the Showlight Quadrennial in Dijon, France.

Speaking of the new hire, GLP director Mark Ravenhill says: “I couldn’t be happier that Brad has decided to join GLP. He is an industry legend with a stature, reputation an

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30 May 2025

UK - Backup Tech, the charity supporting those working behind the scenes in the entertainment technology industry, has announced the latest additions to its ambassador lineup. Under the guidance of Backup trustee Koy Neminathan, who oversees the ambassador programme, the organisation has welcomed Suzi Green and Gemma Fletcher into its growing roster of representatives.

As Backup ambassadors, Suzi and Gemma will champion the charity's mission throughout the entertainment industry, spreading awareness of the charity’s work, helping create and support wellbeing related initiatives that tie in with Backup’s remit, as well as recruiting corporate partners and supporting individual fundraising efforts. Their roles include representing Backup at industry events, meetings, and the popular annual Backup Village Fete. Here they share their personal connec

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30 May 2025

USA - The lighting design community is mourning the loss of Paul Marantz, co-founder of Fisher Marantz Stone, who has passed away. A lighting visionary, he helped to transform the perception of lighting design as a profession.

Alongside Jules Fisher, Marantz co-founded the company that would become Fisher Marantz Stone in 1971, creating a legacy of creativity and genius that continues to inspire to this day.

Paula Martinez-Nobles, president, Fisher Marantz Stone said: “We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Paul Marantz. Paul and Jules founded the company that would become FMS in 1971, creating a legacy of creativity and genius that continues to brighten our lives and the world around us. Thank you, Paul, for your wit and wisdom. We honour your life and legacy.”

Initially working in theatre lighting, Marantz held a strong inter

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29 May 2025

Canada - Denis Richard, who unexpectedly died on 29 March 2025, was a pioneer in the Canadian music touring and production industry. During his nearly 50-year career, he made a significant and lasting impact on the growth of the entertainment lighting production and rental industry in Canada. In that time, he toured with and managed lighting and production services for live artists and supported multiple popular TV productions. Christie Lites has paid tribute:

“For the last 30 years, Denis was a key account handler for Christie Lites’ Toronto office. His professional life exemplified his exacting high standards. Denis led by example, always demanding as much from himself as he did of others. He loved and was fascinated by people. His curiosity about what drove others meant Denis got to know those he worked with and what they wanted swiftly. Many of the l

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28 May 2025

USA - Harman Professional Solutions has announced the appointment of Sebastien Laffoux as director of lighting sales for North America. In this role, Laffoux will drive strategic growth and lead the sales organisation for Harman’s portfolio of professional lighting solutions, with a focus on expanding market share across the live entertainment, install, and architectural sectors.

Laffoux brings more than 15 years of senior leadership experience in the professional lighting and entertainment technology space. Prior to joining Harman, he served as vice president of sales at ARRI, where he oversaw B2B and SMB sales operations across North and South America.

“Sebastien brings a high degree of business acumen to the Martin sales team, as well as a deep understanding of consultative selling techniques and how to grow the sales pipeline,” said Mike Sc

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22 May 2025

UK - Martin Audio has strengthened its technical resource with the appointment of Ben Todd as senior applications specialist. The role will also encompass opportunities to intersect with sister brands such as Optimal Audio and TiMax, as the wider Focusrite Group Audio Reproduction division gains further ground with coordinated solutions becoming increasingly prevalent in the installation sector.

He arrives following an extensive career with Harman Pro, where he was senior application engineer for EMEA, followed by a brief period at Holoplot. Prior to that Todd was with UK distributor Sound Technology for nine years – the last six of which he spent leading their technical team.

The skills learnt in complex technical integration will stand him in good stead for his new role, as Martin Audio strives to push further into the integration market with its

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21 May 2025

UK - Solstice AV has announced the appointment of Chris Ball as its new chief financial officer (CFO) and chief operating officer (COO).

Based in Solstice AV’s Diss and Tewkesbury offices, Chris joins the company’s board of directors, reporting to chairman Tony Hunt. His key responsibilities will include reviewing and overseeing the company’s financial planning, risk management, and operational performance.

His appointment follows recent news announcements from Solstice AV to mark its UK distribution partnerships with LED and interactive displays providers LianTronics and i3CONNECT, delivering even greater choice and value to UK resellers.

Commenting on his new role, Chris Ball said: "I am honoured to join Solstice AV at such an exciting time in the company’s journey. Solstice AV has built a strong reputation for innovation and excell

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20 May 2025

UK - Media control solutions specialist Hive is expanding its team with five new roles as it continues to scale. Rory Jervis joins as sales director to drive commercial growth, while Nigel Sadler has been promoted to chief pollinator, a newly created role focused on strengthening partnerships and amplifying Hive’s vision.

Further reinforcing Hive’s expansion, Ciaran Abrams has been appointed as lead developer, Danielle Hastings joins as customer service executive and Alex Couzins steps in as marketing specialist.

In his new role as chief pollinator, Nigel Sadler will lead Hive’s mission to democratise the media engine market, making complex video technology more accessible. With a passion for storytelling and deep industry expertise, Nigel will focus on forging strong partnerships and expanding Hive’s influence.

As sales director, Ror

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16 May 2025

UK - Spotlight Sound, a fast-growing national AV and event production company based in Essex, has announced the appointment of Ed Guest as its new AV service engineer. With over 15 years of experience across theatre, live events, and AV installation, Ed brings considerable technical expertise to the expanding Spotlight Sound team.

Spotlight Sound specialises in audio-visual installations, event production, and equipment hire across the UK, with clients ranging from local authorities and schools to national venues and entertainment providers. As the company continues to grow, Ed’s addition is set to strengthen its technical offering and drive further excellence in project delivery.

Ed's journey in AV began in school theatres, eventually leading him to a BTEC in technical theatre and a BA in Lighting Design at Rose Bruford College. He has worked in s

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15 May 2025

UK - Architectural LED lighting brand Anolis – a Robe business – has appointed Eloise Reed as its international specification manager.

Eloise is based in the UK and will be travelling extensively both nationally and internationally in her role for the Czech Republic-based manufacturer, which will include streamlining the design support and tender processes for clients and boosting the Anolis profile within the architectural lighting community, and as an essential element of the wider ‘Robe Group’ of premium brands.

Australian-born Eloise’s journey into the lighting industry started at WAAPA (Western Australia Academy of Performing Arts) in Perth, a well-known melting pot for creativity and independent thinking, where she graduated with a Performing Arts degree equivalent, majoring in lighting.

Simultaneously, Eloise was also working

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14 May 2025

UK - Void Acoustics has appointed Sam Brandon as its new managing director. He succeeds co-founder Alex Skan, who has held the position since 2016 and will continue to play an active role within the business.

Founded over two decades ago by Rog Mogale and Alex Skan, Void Acoustics under Alex’s leadership has expanded globally and cemented its reputation worldwide. Alex has also played a key role in expanding Void Acoustics’ partner network and internal team, including recently appointing Andy Rigler as head of sales.

Reflecting on his tenure, Alex said: “I’m excited to welcome our new managing director, Sam, to the Void team. While I will be transitioning out of the managing director role, I will remain actively involved with Void Acoustics, supporting our team and contributing to the vision and culture that define our success.

"What

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14 May 2025

USA - Flock Audio has announced the appointment of Chant Duplantier as the company’s new vice president of sales. Duplantier brings decades of experience in both the technology and music industries to the company. ​

“Chant has been a long-time friend of the company and his experience in all aspects of the tech industry – from hardware and software engineering to product management and sales – makes him an invaluable asset to our rapidly growing team here in the US,” said Flock Audio founder and CEO Darren Nakonechny. “We’re incredibly excited to bring him into Flock and are already seeing the impact of his enthusiasm and experience on our operations.”

Originally from South Louisiana, Duplantier has been a fixture of the Dallas-Fort Worth area for more than 20 years. In addition to his decades of experience in the technology industry

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13 May 2025

UK - It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Russell Dunsire, founder and chairman of LSI Projects. Creating the company over 30 years ago, Russell was the initial driving force behind LSI.

Having previously served as international sales and marketing director at Rank Strand Lighting for almost two decades, Russell left Strand to create Lighting Systems International in 1991. Appointed as the UK distributor for ADB Lighting and based out of the Siemens office complex in Sunbury-on-Thames, Russell helped build ADB Lighting into one of the strongest theatre and television lighting brands in the country.

With his global experience in overseas markets, ADB entrusted more regions to LSI with the developing Asia-Pacific and Middle East regions creating opportunities that allowed LSI to open offices in Kuala Lumpur and Dubai.

Ever kee

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13 May 2025

UK - Brompton Technology has announced the appointment of Steve Leyland as its new chairman of the board.

Leyland’s appointment follows the resignation of Brompton’s previous Chairman, Neil Gaydon, for health reasons. Neil joined at the time of Brompton receiving investment from specialist private equity provider Connection Capital in 2022 and has played a central role in developing Brompton’s growth strategy. “We are very grateful to Neil for all his support and wish him the very best,” says Richard Mead, Brompton’s CEO.

A seasoned executive and respected voice in the AV industry, Leyland brings with him decades of international leadership experience, including senior roles at Barco, Polycom, and Intel, and a proven track record of driving growth and strategic transformation across global markets. Leyland currently runs a consulting prac

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13 May 2025

UK - Absen has sharpened its UK ProAV focus with three new strategic hires. This move – designed to fuel the company’s ambitious regional growth plans – reinforces its dedication to localised service and strong relationships across Europe. The reinforced UK division also underscores its pledge to provide advanced LED solutions and exceptional service throughout the UK. Joining the UK Absen team are:

Peter Mytton-Bayley – business development executive: With 30 years of experience in consultant and strategic roles within the AV sector, including significant work in corporate and education installations,

Peter joins Absen’s UK team to support its expanding market presence. He will leverage his extensive industry knowledge to drive the adoption of Absen LED in upcoming projects and champion Absen's commitment to sustainability through its Abse

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12 May 2025

South Africa - DWR Distribution has announced the addition of Kyle Freemantle, a senior audio engineer and systems engineer, to the sales team in the role of solution architect.

In this position, Kyle will lead the design of technical solutions, deliver presentations and live demonstrations to clients, address technical challenges within DWR proposals to clients, and play a key role in shaping sales strategies from project inception to completion.

Kyle is no stranger to the South African live events industry. A freelancer since 2013, he has worked on some of the country’s most prominent shows and events. Now, for the first time in his career, Kyle is stepping into a permanent position.

“We are truly honoured to have Kyle join our team,” says Duncan Riley of DWR. “His experience and fresh perspectives will greatly benefit our clients,

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09 May 2025

Europe - Eastern Acoustic Works (EAW) has announced the appointment of industry veteran David Budge and Blue5 Technology as an independent sales rep for Europe. In this role, Budge and Blue5 will work with EAW’s sales team to support existing partners in Europe as well as identify and bring on new partners in countries that do not currently have local EAW representation.

“EAW is excited to welcome David Budge and Blue5 to the team,” says TJ Smith, president of Eastern Acoustic Works. “With specialties in sales, channel and relationship management in the EMEA region, we look forward to his expertise in developing business and solidifying customer relationships across Europe.”

Budge serves as managing director at Blue5 Technology where he has been since 2020. Headquartered just outside of London, England, Blue5 Technology offers manufacturers

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07 May 2025

UK - Genelec has announced the appointment of Perry Swain as regional business development manager, focusing on the UK market alongside Genelec colleague Andy Bensley.

Located in the London area, Swain will mirror Bensley’s role in supporting Genelec’s local distribution partners and bringing the company even closer to its major UK customers. With Bensley located in the north of England, Swain’s appointment in the south significantly strengthens Genelec’s presence across the UK.

A keen musician and producer, Swain has gained many years of experience in pro audio, AV and MI, occupying sales, procurement, and brand management roles in retail, distribution, and manufacturing. Most recently, Swain has been UK territory manager for Bose Professional but has a deep knowledge of Genelec technology through his previous position as Genelec brand manag

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06 May 2025

USA - Sadly, we report the passing last week of Robe Lighting’s Bob Schacherl. Robe has issued the following tribute:

"Bob Schacherl – beloved friend, colleague, Robe Family member and professional entertainment lighting industry legend – sadly passed away last week, aged 70.

Bob served as CEO of Robe Lighting Inc from 2013 until his retirement in 2019 and will be much missed by all in the Robe organisation alongside those in the industry who had the privilege of working with him.

Robe lighting s.r.o. CEO Josef Valchar stated: “Bob was a great team builder! He joined some already excellent people in place at Robe’s Fort Lauderdale, Florida, headquarters and helped boost our presence in the USA by assembling a fantastic sales and marketing force. His opinions, ideas and vast knowledge were invaluable to our