Robe - LEADERBOARD - Feb 2025
PLASA Show 2025 - Banner - June-Aug 2025

People

Details
UK - London-based Factory Settings has appointed Ben Virgo as head of technology. Ben will be heading up the technology department for existing and new projects, working closely alongside the fabrication and construction team.
Ben will be enhancing the company's existing incorporation of technical elements into bespoke fabrication and design, and also bringing them into new markets. Coming from a live event technology background and with experience in lighting control systems, Ben's expertise will now add a plethora of integrated services from LED pixel systems to projection mapping to Factory Settings’ in-house services.
Factory Settings Ltd - based in East London - designs, fabricates and installs exhibitions, theatre sets and experiential environments for some of the UK's leading heritage, artistic and cultural institutions.
(Jim Evans)

Details
USA - Colin Beveridge, CEO of d&b Corporation since its inception in the mid-1990s has transferred his responsibilities for d&b audiotechnik in the Americas to the next generation as part of a planned retirement. Following the transition Beveridge will remain on board as senior strategic advisor for the management team in the Americas and company headquarters in Backnang, Germany.
William Cornell has succeeded as territory manager for the Americas and president and CEO of d&b audiotechnik US Group, effective 10 July 2017. “I will support William in a direct role until February 2018 to ensure a smooth transition,” says Beveridge. “Like our audio systems, the essential character and performance of d&b will remain consistent. But it will be rejuvenated by the energy I know William will bring to his new role. What is important now is to concentrate on ensur
Doughty - Banner - from 6 June 2025

Details
USA - Bandit Lites has appointed Justin Wilk as equipment coordinator, heading up the planning, direction and coordination of Bandit’s extensive inventory. “I am responsible for finding solutions for complicated and complex production issues,” Wilk said. “By supporting the inventory control manager, I’ll ensure that all parties have the information they need about the location of equipment.”
Following his studies in Recording Arts and Show Production and Touring at Full Sail University, Wilk began working with artists in the studio and then on the road, touring extensively as a stage manager and guitar technician, where his time on the road gave him a love and appreciation for the lighting and visual production side of the entertainment business.
“Justin is a great addition to Bandit’s team,” said Bandit Lites general manager, Mark Steinwachs. “Just

Details
USA - Theatre Projects has announced that industry veteran Robert Young is rejoining the company after eight years away. Robert has over 25 years of experience as a designer and theatre consultant, and he’ll be returning to help the design team create dynamic, versatile, and engaging performance spaces across the globe.
Robert began his career in theatre consulting with Theatre Projects in 1999 and spent the next decade designing and specifying theatre systems and managing the technical production department. His work contributed to the creation of more than 150 projects - including many award-winning and acclaimed performance spaces. During this time, Robert established a reputation for taking a hands-on approach to designing innovative, flexible theatre equipment systems utilizing the latest theatre technology.
In 2009, Robert joined the Acoustics, Audiovisual, and

Details
UK Manufacturer of flame retardant fabrics, drapery and stage engineering solutions, J&C Joel, has announced a new structure for its projects department.
Ben Richardson-Owen, previously Middle East project manager, has been promoted to head of projects (International) alongside Fraser Davidson, previously UK and Europe project manager, who has now stepped into the role as head of projects (UK and Europe).
Ben has worked for the company for six years and worked in the company’s Dubai office for five years, returning to the UK office last year.
Fraser has worked for the company for 17 years, starting out as an apprentice installing J&C Joel products all over the world - alongside J&C Joel’s CEO James Wheelwright - before eventually moving into the coordination and management side of Project delivery.
Matt Corbett, operations director, said:

Details
Europe - Ayrton has announced the appointment of Jerad Garza as the latest member of its growing International sales team.
Originating from Texas, Garza entered the industry as show technician with Gemini LSV in Dallas where he spent 17 years learning all aspects of show production, before progressing to the position of sales director and project manager. Roles in European & international sales followed, firstly with Solaris and, most recently, with High End Systems.
Based in South Germany, Garza’s role will be to focus on supporting Ayrton’s existing international clients, in addition to establishing and growing new ones, and will have additional responsibility for selling demo and excess stock worldwide.
“Now is an exciting time to join the Ayrton team, and I cannot wait to meet our partners and contribute to their growth and success,” he says. “

Details
Europe - GLP has continued to strengthen its UK operation, with the announcement that the experienced David Stewart has been recruited as sales manager.
An industry veteran with nearly 30 years’ service, he spent the previous decade with Martin Professional, where he built up a powerful network of key specifiers, lighting designers and rental companies. Starting his career as a Vari-Lite operator, after working freelance for 10 years he then enjoyed stints with Stage Electrics, Fusion and Spirit Design before joining Martin Professional.
Finding himself ready for a change, he said that GLP had been an obvious move. “The brand is very well known and they were at the forefront of LED moving head technology with their impression series.”
“Aside from their excellent reputation and branding I liked the idea of working for an independent company where I can mak

Details
UK - To support the growing resurgence in sales and general momentum, Martin Audio has added to its Product Support Group with the recruitment of Simon Purse.
Purse has a Bachelor of Arts in Music Production, a distinction in Live Sound Foundation Degree, and is also a keen guitar player.
Dan Orton, head of Product Support Group, commented, “This appointment reflects the growth of the company and the demand on system design for projects. The now five-strong team is set up to be adaptable, in order to support customers anywhere in the world, rather than being region specific. This allows us to better balance different application demands coming from different regions at different times of the year. With the launch of all the new products, the timing couldn’t be better.”
Purse responded, “Martin Audio not only has a fantastic reputation and product portfoli

Details
UK - Green Hippo has announced a key addition to its training team, further bolstering its ability to provide invaluable guidance to Green Hippo users across the globe. Annalisa Terranova joins as senior training manager and will provide training at Green Hippo’s London HQ, as well as taking sessions, including ‘HippoSchool’ Hippotizer training meets, across the rest of the world.
Annalisa comes equipped to deliver immediately effective Green Hippo sessions, bringing extensive experience of the media server technology, including projection-mapping projects. She has most recently worked with M.I.A. on the singer-rapper’s world tour. Annalisa programmed and operated a Hippotizer Media Server the live show using a timeline and timecode.
Terranova will be teaching the below Basic and Advanced sessions: HippoNet, HippoLauncher, Configuration, Output manager, Media m

Details
UK - The Systems Group at Shure Distribution UK is expanding with the addition of Andrew Francis as senior applications engineer and Richard Knott as project manager.
The new employees have been taken on in response to the growing demand for Shure conferencing audio technology following the launch of products such as the Microflex Advance networked mic array and in advance of the launch of the forthcoming IntelliMix P300 Audio Conferencing Processor.
Andrew Francis has a decade of AV experience covering both installed systems and live events. During this time he has worked with politicians and business leaders, as well as other high-profile public figures such as His Holiness The Pope, while producing conferences, awards events and gala dinners. On the installation side he spent three years as a technical manager designing and commissioning AV systems for large corpora

Details
UK - The long-standing former financial controller at the Bose Corporation, Simon Mighall, has joined Flare Audio as chief financial officer (CFO). Mighall’s role will include putting in place financial systems enabling Flare to “grow seamlessly and realise its potential as a rival of any of the world’s major audio brands”, supplying high end consumer and professional audio products globally.
“Prior to joining Flare, Simon Mighall spent 20 years at the UK subsidiary of Bose Corporation, whose turnover in this country went from less than £3m to over £100m during his tenure,” says Flare founder and CEO Davies Roberts. “Simon’s deep functional expertise, ownership, tenacity and entrepreneurial spirit position him well for life at Flare.”
“Flare Audio exudes excitement and enthusiasm,” says Mighall. “When I met Davies and the other directors, I c

Details
UK - International theatre consultancy Theatreplan continues to strengthen its consultancy team with the recent appointment of Ashley Pickles.
A seasoned theatre professional, Pickles comes to Theatreplan after 15 years at the Barbican Theatre in London where he oversaw the flying of international touring productions and project- managed large-scale capital works within the Grade II listed building. Amongst his most notable achievements was managing the replacement of the power flying system, grid and galleries, in addition to numerous other projects aimed at improving and upgrading the venue’s infrastructure.
In 2013, he was invited to oversee the build and building management of The Drowned Man, a co-production between Punchdrunk and the National Theatre set over four storeys in a disused GPO sorting office, a production which ran for two years.
“Ash

Details
Germany - In the course of the successful repositioning of the company, the Adam Hall Group is developing its global business development division.
From 1 July, Bodo Falkenried’s team will be augmented by Alessio Foti, who has several years’ experience as brand manager for leading companies in the pro-audio sector, where his principal responsibilities included business development, product management and sales in Asia, the USA and Europe.
Falkenried, head of global business development, comments: “As a fast-growing, innovative company with an international orientation, Alessio will provide urgent support in meeting the demanding requirements for strategic and operative business development. His excellent knowledge and experience in international markets and the development of brands and their specific legal aspects will play an important role in consolidating o

Details
UK - Source Distribution has announced the recruitment of Michael Clapham as area sales manager for the Midlands. Michael brings to Source over 25 years’ experience in the music industry that includes successful tenures as a senior regional manager at Yamaha Music Europe (UK), and as a sales manager for Marshall Amplification.
In a newly-created position, Michael will assume responsibility for supporting and growing Source’s key accounts in the Midlands region, building on his excellent long-term working relationships with dealers in the area. Michael combines decades of management and retail experience with a lifelong passion for music and music technology. An accomplished guitarist and singer, Michael also co-owned and managed a busy commercial recording studio in Birmingham for many years, and maintains a broad and ever-expanding vinyl collection.
Darren Power,

Details
The Netherlands - Integrated Systems Events, the producers of the Integrated Systems Europe trade exhibition, has announced that Stefanie Corinth, senior VP marketing and business development NEC Display Solutions Europe and Piet Candeel, Senior VP EMEA, Barco, have joined the ISE Board of Directors as of 1 July 2017.
They will replace outgoing ISE board members Wolfgang Lenz from Comm-Tech and Ollie French from Future Automation.
Mike Blackman, managing director of Integrated Systems Events commented: “I’d like to welcome our new members and at the same time thank the outgoing ones. It’s vital that the ISE board regularly welcomes new members from our extensive exhibitor base so that we are exposed to fresh ideas and experiences.
“Stefanie and Piet will bring valuable market intelligence and insight on the sectors in which they operate. Additionally, t

Details
USA - AVID Labs has announced the appointments of Ryan Hall and Robert Kartman as mechanical engineers. In their roles, Hall and Kartman apply their expertise in the engineering process to design and develop new products.
Hall worked as principal engineer for Harris Corp, Space and Intelligence Systems in his last position, and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology from Purdue University. “I enjoy the process of coming up with new concepts and workarounds,” stated Hall, “and the people I work with at AVID.”
Before joining AVID Labs, Kartman worked as senior staff engineer for Harris Corp, Space and Intelligence Systems, and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Valparaiso University. Kartman shared that he enjoys the fast-paced variety of working with AVID Lab customers and associates, and added, “

Details
UK - RealSound & Vision Ltd, the Oxfordshire-based sound, stage lighting and AV system integrators who have achieved UK-wide success and recognition within the education sector, has announced the appointment of David Wilkins as their sales manager.
Wilkins is well known in the lighting industry with previous roles at Northern Light, Selecon and Strand. He now adds this experience to broaden the multidisciplinary skill set at RSV.
On joining, Wilkins commented that: “It will be an exciting opportunity to drive the Company forward”.
David Nibbs, managing director, added: “I am very pleased to have David on board as part of our team and I’m sure that he will be successful in significantly raising the RSV profile and our levels of successful business in Education and elsewhere.”
(Jim Evans)

Details
UK - PRG XL Video, the UK operation of Production Resource Group (PRG), has announced two new additions to its music team. Robert Watson and Michael George have both joined as account managers and bring a diverse range of talent and experience to PRG.
Michael George has joined the company from Blink TV where he specialised in filming and streaming of live events – a service PRG XL has already begun to offer with the live streaming of Stormzy’s recent sold-out Brixton Academy shows.
Stefaan Michels, director of music, PRG XL Video, comments: “It’s a pleasure to have Michael join the team. He’s great to work with. It is exciting to expand into the live streaming market and with Michael’s expertise and high standard of delivery, it’s sure to be a resounding success.”
Robert Watson brings more than a decade of experience in live production, working a

Details
UK - Natural History Museum has strengthened its venue hire team with two new appointments, ahead of the Museum’s relaunch of its main event space Hintze Hall on 14 July.
Joining the team is Gavin Bevan who has recently been welcomed to the Museum as operations manager, bringing over a decade of hospitality and events experience including six years delivering conferences, private banqueting and match day hospitality at the Kia Oval. His responsibilities will be to ensure a smooth collaboration between clients, accredited suppliers and the museum, resulting in world-class event delivery.
Susie Williamson, will join Bevan as the second operations manager, bringing with her five years of events experience within the heritage industry, having worked with the National Trust and the Royal Geographical Society. Susie’s experience ranges from organising family-friendly eve

Details
UK - Polar has announced the appointment of Dave Griffiths as business development manager for its MI/Consumer Division. With Polar's authorised dealership structure now firmly established, it has refreshed its sales operation by giving him responsibility for managing accounts across The Midlands, The North of England, Scotland and Ireland.
Dave is an experienced industry professional, who began his career as a studio engineer at multimedia specialists, The Music Factory, before progressing through the ranks first as a producer and then a production manager. Following this highly productive period, during which he became familiar with every aspect of music production and professional audio, Dave sought new challenges, working first for Yamaha's pro music division before joining Korg.
Tim Riley, director of brand development at Polar welcomes Dave Griffiths: "We've rece

Details
UK/USA - Leisure and entertainment technology consultant and designer, Eric Lehman, has joined media serving solutions company, 7thSense Design, as business development manager. With more than 30 years’ experience in the design and development of some of the world’s leading public attractions, Eric will be based in Orlando, Florida, working with customers in the immediate region and across North America.
Specialising in the technical design and specification of world-class audio visual installations, particularly those with high pixel density, large-format projection requirements, Eric’s career has seen him work with, and contribute to the commercial success of, respected companies including Electrosonic, Solid Control Inc., and Mad Systems, in addition to his own consultancy business Lehman A/V Consultants. His installation portfolio includes many high-profile attract

Details
UK - Friends and colleagues have been paying tribute to loudspeaker designer and entrepreneur Stephen Court, one of the pro audio industry’s more colourful characters, who has died following a fall at his West Country home. A dedicated sound man, in a long career – he claimed to be “a few years younger than Mick Jagger” - he worked for the BBC and ITV and some of the biggest names in rock. And he had anecdotes to relate about them all – and the merits or otherwise of their sound systems.
In recent years, he was based at Tavistock Wharf in Devon which he and his wife Angela bought in 2006 and developed into the leading live music venue in the area. The sound system at The Wharf is, not surprisingly, designed and built by Court Acoustics, which was the vehicle for his various system designs for both studios and live applications. Just prior to his passing, he had bee

Details
USA - In a move to expand their International sales division, Altman Lighting has announced the appointment of Jaime Friedstadt as their new international sales director. With a wealth of knowledge in both the architectural and entertainment lighting industries, Friedstadt will now manage the Altman Lighting sales channels in the Caribbean, Latin American, European, Middle Eastern and African markets.
“With the expansion of our product offerings and our growth in a worldwide market, we are very fortunate to have Jaime join us to reinforce our efforts and expand our market presence accordingly,” stated Julie Smith, Altman Lighting general manager.
Friedstadt has over 20 years of experience providing quality sales support and generating client relationships for a number of entertainment and architectural lighting manufacturers. Prior to joining Altman Lighting, Fried

Details
UK - JHS has announced that HK Audio sales will now be handled exclusively by its Pro-Audio ASMs.
Previously both the JHS MI and Pro Audio ASMs were advising and selling HK Audio to the dealer network; now all HK Audio business will be conducted via the Pro-Audio team, Neville Raine & Matt Flavell.
JHS executive director of sales and marketing Alan Smith says: “The change has been made to provide all JHS HK Audio customers with a dedicated, highly technically trained and experienced ASM able to make recommendations on stocking and practical application advice, right through to technical site consultancy and large scale installation and concert system specification.
“The MI ASMs have always done a great job with HK Audio but have a huge number of brands to cover, and we believe the change will increase levels of customer service even further.”
(Jim
  1. Dual leadership at AV Stumpfl
  2. Bob Tamburri joins Ashly Audio
  3. Ola Melzig to host Knight of Illumination Awards
  4. Arena Group adds chief operating officer
  5. Christie strengthens global cinema team
  6. APG adds sales engineer for southern France
Page 55 of 191
Astera - Large MPU - June 2025
Sennheiser - MPU - June 2025

Latest Issue. . .