people news
People News Headlines
24/05/2012
DiGiCo’s Dan Page Joins SAS
18/05/2012
Thorsten Schulze Joins Coda Audio
16/05/2012
Arena Group Appoints Group Finance Director
11/05/2012
Bill Woods Joins Funktion One
Karl Bates Joins JHS as Pro Audio Area Sales Manager South
Worldwide independent trade distributor John Hornby Skewes & Co. Ltd. has announced that Karl Bates has joined its senior sales team as Pro Audio Area Sales Manager South, looking after customers in the lower half of England and Wales, as well as the whole of Ireland.
Karl brings more than 25 years of experience in the music industry to JHS's pro audio division, having previously managed UK sales for many major professional audio brands like JBL, dbx, AKG, Sennheiser, Lab.gruppen, Adamson, and Lexicon.
He has worked as UK sales manager for MAM Communications Ltd, Stirling Audio, and Arbiter Pro Audio, servicing a national client base from rental companies to install and AV specialists, and recently working as a freelance consultant within the educational market.
Karl said: “I’m excited to have joined a company with over 47 years’ experience in the music industry with a strong stable of Pro Audio brands. I’ll be looking forward to seeing and looking after many of my old customers as well as new ones; I’ll certainly be kept busy!”
Alan Smith, JHS's executive director of sales and marketing, said: “I’m really pleased Karl has joined us, as he brings a terrific blend of experience, knowledge and salesmanship and enthusiasm that will all contribute towards providing our Pro Audio customers with our best possible customer service.”
Karl can be contacted via email at karl.bates@jhs.co.uk, or by phone on 0044 (0)7917 194270, while details of the other JHS Area Sales Managers and their territories can be found by logging on to the JHS trade only website at www.jhstrade.co.uk
In addition, dealers can meet the man himself at the upcoming JHS Event, which is being held at the firm's Garforth, Leeds headquarters between June 10th and 13th.
25th May 2012
New Product Manager Role for Lab.gruppen’s Martin Andersson
Lab.gruppen and Lake have announced the appointment of Martin Andersson to the position of product manager – touring, working across the touring portfolio of these two market-leading brands.
Martin takes up the position after two years as part of the sales organisation TC Group International (TCGI), the organisation responsible for sales of the TC Group brands, where he was employed as international sales manager for touring products. The new appointment will see Martin drive forward development of leading product lines such as the PLM Series from Lab.gruppen and LM Series from Lake.
“I am delighted to take up the role as the company enters a new era in its history,” said Martin. “I think the level of innovation across the brands is unrivalled – We already have the world’s most powerful amplifier with one of the worlds most acknowledged processing on board, and have capitalised on our touring offering in recent years with the introduction of the LM Series from Lake. We have no other intention than to stay on top of this market and I look forward to take great ideas forward and to push our technology further and broader into the market place in order to help our end users to do their job better, easier and more efficiently.”
As well as being involved in the live sound arena, Martin also has a long history with Lab.gruppen. Prior to his position at TCGI, Martin worked directly for the company as Scandinavian sales manager. His father, Kenneth Andersson, co-founded the company in 1979, giving Martin first hand knowledge of the technology, growth and development path of the company as a whole.
Jon Alkhagen, managing director at Lab.gruppen and Lake, said: “We are very pleased to announce Martin’s appointment to product manager for touring products. His knowledge of the company, the market, and of the touring world in general, will be a serious asset as we push forward in a competitive marketplace.”
25th May 2012
DiGiCo’s Dan Page Joins SAS
After four successful years in DiGiCo’s R&D department, Dan Page has now become an SAS. Dan has not, however, decided to pursue a military career, but to stay with the British console manufacturer and become a sales application specialist.
Dan will be supporting the existing sales team of Ian Staddon, Tim Shaxson and James ‘Digger’ Bradley. Whilst building relationships with the company’s distributors to help further expand DiGiCo sales into existing and emerging markets, he will be providing technical seminars, workshops, systems design, etc.
“Dan has proved himself to be an invaluable member of the DiGiCo team,” says Managing Director James Gordon. “This new role recognises his considerable skills and adds yet another dimension to what we can offer our customers.”
“I’m very excited about this new opportunity,” adds Dan. “I have an extensive product knowledge and I’m looking forward to being able to use that to help DiGiCo and its customers achieve the very best out of their products.”
24th May 2012
Thorsten Schulze Joins Coda Audio
Hannover-based sound equipment manufacturer Coda Audio has expanded its technical team with the appointment of Thorsten Schulze as the company’s DSP specialist.
Coda is renowned for its high quality systems and Thorsten brings over 20 years of experience in cutting edge sound technology to the company. One of the very early adopters of digital audio, he was designing systems for large events using digital crossovers, processors and networks as far back as 1995.
In 2003 he started his own company, Audioconsulting Schulze, whose first project was the design and programming of the digital audio system of the refurbished Olympic stadium in Berlin. Nearly a decade later it is still considered state-of-the-art.
From raves to rock festivals, broadcast studios and even Papal visits, Thorsten’s vast experience adds a new dimension to Coda’s capabilities and it is a new challenge that he is looking forward to.
"Coda manufactures excellent loudspeakers with unique technology behind them," he says. "The company is a leader in speaker technologies such as sensor-controlled subs and ring diaphragm compression drivers.
"I believe that my experience in the practicalities of system design and use, digital audio development, audio networks and user interfaces will complement the Coda team very well."
"Thorsten has unparalleled experience in his field and we believe that he will have a profoundly positive influence on future products," adds Coda’s Mick Anderson. "We look forward to working with his huge knowledge and energy in designing and manufacturing the next generation of Coda products.
18th May 2012
Stage Electrics Appoints New Managing Director
Stage Electrics has announced the expansion of its senior management team with the appointment of a new managing director. This move further strengthens the senior leadership team with Dan Aldridge taking up the post of managing director. Dan has been involved in the company for over six years, both as operations director and most recently as a non-executive director. Founder and majority shareholder of Stage Electrics, David Whitehead, will continue in the role of chairman.
David Whitehead comments: “For many years I have fulfilled the role of both chairman and managing director. The time is right to make a distinction between these roles. As chairman I will be free to consider strategy, shape vision and support my senior leadership team. I am delighted that Dan has accepted this post and I know that we will work closely together to ensure the future success of the business.”
Established in 1979 by David Whitehead, Stage Electrics now employs over 220 staff nationwide in the supply, installation and hire of equipment for the entertainment industry. Turnover for the year ended January 2012 was £30 million with the company offering a wide range of equipment and services in audio, lighting, staging and video.
Dan Aldridge spoke of his new role: “Stage Electrics holds a strong position within the market with an experienced management team. As managing director I am thrilled to be leading the team, building upon our past successes and delivering our strategy for profitable growth. With an excellent reputation and capabilities spanning the entertainment technology sector Stage Electrics is ready to progress. I intend to further develop our competencies and explore new opportunities to deliver future growth”.
In picture: David Whitehead, chairman of Stage Electrics and Dan Aldridge, managing director of Stage Electrics.
17th May 2012
Arena Group Appoints Group Finance Director
The Arena Group has appointed Piers Wilson as the company’s new finance director. Piers will be based at the Group’s London head office in Haymarket, with overall responsibility for the finance function and corporate development for the expanding group.
Arena Group CEO Greg Lawless says: “We are delighted to have secured the appointment of Piers Wilson to the new position of Group finance director of the Arena Group, incorporating Arena Seating and Structures, Well Dressed Tables/Spaceworks, Harlequin and our recently opened subsidiary, Arena Asia based in Singapore. His experience and expertise will strengthen our senior management and will enhance our expanding international capabilities in line with the opportunities clients are inviting us to fulfill.”
Piers states: “This is clearly an exciting time to be joining the Arena Group, building on the recent £16.5 million fund-raising, which gives us a great deal more scope to grow the Group by way of acquisition over the coming years both in the UK and overseas. I anticipate working closely with Arena’s board in these areas and I am keen to witness the Group’s overlay capabilities at their finest during the landmark events taking place in London over the coming months.”
16th May 2012
Tannoy, Lab.gruppen and Lake Bolster International Sales Team
Tannoy, Lab.Gruppen and Lake have announced the appointment of both Patrick Lau and Stephan Grawe to their international sales team covering installed sound and touring products.
Patrick Lau has been appointed export sales manager for Asia-Pacific while Stephan Grawe joins in a similar capacity covering Europe and Africa.
Based in his native Hong Kong, Patrick Lau is an industry veteran who brings over 25 years of experience with him to TC Group International (TCGI) – the organisation responsible for sales of Tannoy, Lab.gruppen and Lake. He rose from his position as sales manager for leading Hong Kong audio technology distributor Dah Chong Hong (DCH) Ltd to become international sales manager for Martin Audio in 2008. In both these positions he oversaw the rapidly rising fortunes of the Martin Audio brand in China, particularly in the entertainment sector.
Commenting on his new role, Patrick said: "During my time at DCH, I learnt more about both Tannoy and Lab.gruppen, whilst working on several casino projects in Macao. It was then that I realised how well respected both these brands were amongst professionals. While it will be a challenge to me as TCGI offers such a diversified product range in the touring and install sectors, I’m really excited about this as it marks a new chapter in my career."
Carsten Ishoy, VP of international sales for installed sound products, said: "I am delighted to have Patrick on the team at TCGI, bringing his vast experience to bear on both the install and touring sound markets. His positive and proactive attitude, as well as the fact he is based in Hong Kong, make him the perfect match for this position."
With a diverse background in pro audio sales, Stephan Grawe re-joins TCGI after a successful stint at Proel Group/Turbosound. Previously, he has worked for Tannoy directly as part of the German sales team and laterally TCGI, where he enjoyed great success and an excellent sales record as Area Sales Manager in Germany for Installed Sound Products. As well as this, Stephan has also worked as a professional studio and touring musician throughout his adult life, giving him knowledge and practical experience of TC Group’s product offering in the field.
"I am extremely happy to be back at TCGI," said Stephan. "I know from experience that it is a very dynamic company, and I believe the market has a very big requirement for the kind of innovative and exciting product ranges offered by Tannoy, Lab.gruppen and Lake. I’m also glad to have the challenge of organizing the sales channels across both the install and touring markets."
Miguel Hadelich, VP of international sales touring, said: "All of us here are delighted to have Stephan join the team. His phenomenal sales record, technical skills and positive attitude make him a perfect fit for representing the TC Group brands abroad."
In picture: Patrick Lau and Stephan Grawe.
15th May 2012
Bill Woods Joins Funktion One
Bill Woods (pictured) has joined Funktion One in the role of director of business development. "Bill’s vast experience of working with distributors and dealers worldwide makes him the ideal addition to our company," commented Funktion One’s Ann Andrews. She added: "As our business expands we have found ourselves spread just a little too thin. We decided we needed to add another sales person. Bill has been a friend of Funktion One for years so it made sense to talk to him."
Funktion One’s sales director, David Bruml said: "We are extremely pleased to be welcoming Bill to the Funktion One team. We have been on the lookout for someone of his calibre and experience for some time now and we very much look forward to working together."
Bill Woods commented: "Having witnessed the growth of Funktion One first hand as a supplier with XTA and MC2 I was very excited to be invited to join the team. As the company approaches its twentieth anniversary it is poised for further expansion and I am looking forward to being part of that process."
Funktion One’s founder Tony Andrews concluded: "Bill will fit in perfectly here; he has the experience we require and the skill set that we need. We are all looking forward to the positive effect he will have on the company."
11th May 2012
Point Source Productions Appoints New General Manager
Lighting, sound and AV hire company Point Source Productions has appointed Amy Parks as general manager. Previously PA to managing director Stephen Capel, Parks will take over all day to day running of the company. Parks comments: "As the company has grown over the past few years, I have been shadowing Stephen, so it made sense for an official restructuring in order to formalise my role and to allow Stephen to focus on other aspects of the business. "My strengths lie in client liaison and people management, where Stephen's lie in his extensive lighting industry experience and business development, so it makes good business sense to capitalise on these abilities." Point Source was established to provide high quality equipment and service to the entertainment, event and corporate service industries. But as the business grew, the growing amount of administration took Capel away from the parts of the job he enjoyed doing most: business development, and talking to lighting designers and directors. Capel adds: "Point Source has seen different stages of growth from start up in 1997 to the present; now we're about to start a new phase of expansion. I'm looking forward to promoting the Event Services side of the company."
In picture: Point Source Productions' new general manager Amy Parks
8th May 2012
Sound Technology Ltd Expands on-the-road Sales Team
Sound Technology Ltd has expanded its on-the-road sales team with the appointment of Gary Jackson and Jonny Blower to the newly-created positions of area sales representatives for the south and north of the UK respectively.
Joining area sales managers Joe East, Darren Elliott, Jason Lovatt and David Titherington, Gary and Jonny will be responsible for independent MI dealers, installers and PA hire companies across Sound Technology’s MI and Pro Audio portfolio.
Both Gary and Jonny join Sound Technology with considerable experience in the MI and Pro Audio industries. Gary Jackson joins from SSE Audio Group having previously spent 16 years at FX Rentals, supplying the recording, post-production, film and live industries.
Jonny Blower joins with over 10 years experience in the sector, most recently with Leeds MI retailer Play Record and prior to that sound and light installation and hire company Think Tech Group.
