People News

Vincenzo Borrelli appointed HH Business Development Manager – UK and Europe

UK – Headstock Group has announced the recruitment of Vincenzo Borrelli as business development manager for its HH brand. Vincenzo takes responsibility for the expansion of the distributor base for HH products across Europe, along with the ongoing development of domestic sales to the UK network.

James Laney, CEO for Headstock Group, commented: “We are very excited to have Vince working with us. His experience, knowledge and skill will certainly be a big asset to the growth of HH.”

Vincenzo commented: “Really looking forward to the exciting challenge of increasing the HH profile and developing the distributor network across the regions.”

Ian Wright, director of international sales, added: “HH sales have continued to develop rapidly around the world over the past year. During the pandemic we took the chance to develop many new HH products and as things have reopened, we are seeing the rewards from this investment. Vince’s contribution to this in Europe will be a major part of the next phase, and we warmly welcome him!”

28th March 2023

Clear-Com Welcomes Nicola Milburn as New Senior Regional Sales Manager for Southern Europe

Europe – Clear-Com has announced the appointment of Nicola Milburn as senior regional sales manager for Southern Europe. Nicola brings 16 years of technical sales experience and a background in test engineering across a broad range of markets to her new role at Clear-Com.

Nicola previously spent ten years as regional sales manager for UK and Europe at PHABRIX, where she focused on the Broadcast sector and helped transition customers to IP-based systems, often doing the training and demos herself.

“Nicola’s unique dual experience as both an engineer and salesperson makes her a valuable asset to Clear-Com,” said Richard Palmer, director of sales for Europe, Middle East, and Africa. “We are pleased to have her aboard to help us strengthen our business in southern Europe and Benelux.”

Nicola is eager to begin representing the Clear-Com brand and supporting partners to develop customised solutions for customers.

“Being involved in so many different types of applications and systems is so fascinating to me,” Nicola says. “Every single one is a different workflow, and I look forward to the challenge of finding the right fit for each set of requirements. Clear-Com has such a good history of being the first in something, of innovating from an engineering perspective. I’m excited to be here.”

Nicola holds a HNC in Electrical & Electrical Engineering from Exeter College. She is also an ambassador for STEM, volunteers with the Rise Up Academy and was shortlisted in the sales category for the 2022 Rise Awards. In her spare time, she loves outdoor adventures with her husband and their Jack Russell mix rescue dog, Kingston.

24th March 2023

Brompton Technology fortifies European team by welcoming Oliver Dier as Technical Sales Manager

Germany – In light of the company's sustained growth and increasing demand for its LED-based video wall solutions in Europe, Brompton Technology has recently appointed Oliver Dier as its new technical sales manager. Dier, who has a wealth of experience working with professional audiovisual systems such as camera systems for live events, film and television, made his first appearance for the company at the highly successful ISE Show in Barcelona. Based in Germany, he will become a valuable asset to the team and will be reporting to Dries Vermeulen, Brompton's business development manager for Europe.

"Given that Germany is our largest market in continental Europe, hiring someone in the region that speaks the same language seemed the most natural thing to do," says Vermeulen. "As technical sales manager, Oliver will be instrumental in developing and nurturing robust relationships with our customers in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, plus other key areas, while also ensuring they are kept informed of the most recent advancements and developments in Brompton's innovative product portfolio."

The new technical sales manager role will also offer an added layer of value to Brompton’s customers, as they can turn to the company not only for the most advanced LED processing solutions on the market, but for specialised knowledge and support on how to fully leverage these solutions within their broader systems and infrastructures.

As is typical within a tightly knit industry, Dier is a familiar face to both Vermeulen and Brompton's director of business development, Rob Fowler, having worked with them during his tenure at VER, one of the world's premier AV rental companies and Brompton's initial client, now part of the PRG Group.

"More than ten years ago, I was a part of the team which supplied the screen for the Gravity Lightbox. It was a real game changer in the film industry,” says Dier. “I have collaborated with members of the Brompton team before and witnessed first-hand the dynamic innovations and advancements the company has introduced to the market in recent years. Today is another milestone for me and I am thrilled to be joining such a highly regarded team, and an organisation that is considered a benchmark within the industry for LED video processing."

“With this appointment, Brompton is reaffirming its steadfast commitment to the European market and is demonstrating our dedication to expanding our presence in the region,” concludes Vermeulen. “In addition to his wealth of industry experience, Dier brings a hands-on, results-oriented approach, a global perspective, and a strong focus on both customers and team collaboration, all of which align perfectly with the values and culture of our company."

17th March 2023

Paul Johnson joins Ayrton as Global Install Director

France – Well known and popular industry figure, Paul Johnson (pictured), has joined Ayrton in the newly created position of global install director with immediate effect. His role will be to open up a unique new area of activity for the company, expanding the use of stage lighting to architectural and large-scale, long-term installations.

Driven by an intense love of music, Johnson has long been fascinated by ways of bringing the creativity of stage lighting into the architectural and built environment in ways that enhance and maximise the experience for both the client and user.

Having spent the past 15 years forging this philosophy with architectural installation and creative companies, whilst also maintaining an ongoing involvement in stage lighting design, Johnson now brings his eclectic experience to Ayrton where he will focus on bringing together the best of both worlds.

“There is an increasing potential in architectural development to introduce an ‘experience’ into building design through creative lighting,” says Johnson, “and there’s a huge skill set in the world of entertainment lighting which can translate across to fulfil this need.

“I’ve always enjoyed the process of moving my love of stage lighting and music to another location, and Ayrton fits into this perfectly due to the undeniable robustness and longevity of its products, and a willingness in the company to think outside the box. Their range of IP65/IP66 moving head fixtures especially opens up a world of possibilities for long-term projects and installations including the stadia and arena world, and the low maintenance and intelligent technology makes Ayrton fixtures easy for in-house technicians to look after on site after installation.”

Johnson’s new role will be to share his experiences in encouraging architectural companies and specialist design houses to consider using lighting differently from the outset: “to use techniques from stage lighting and reimagine them elsewhere in large-scale architectural projects; to think creatively of how to use colour, animation, tone and light levels as exciting ways of changing perception.”

“It’s a whole new dynamic in the world of architecture and installation,” adds Michael Althaus, global sales director for Ayrton, “and I am genuinely excited that Paul Johnson is joining Ayrton with the view of expanding this idea and to build up a strong team around him. Ayrton is a brand that has spent the last five to ten years pushing the envelope and has produced an amazing range of IP products with an eye to the future. Johnson is the perfect fit: he is excited by thinking in different ways and sharing his ideas with other designers, just as Ayrton does as a company.”

16th March 2023

Amy Kerr and Jeffrey Ong Join Chauvet Product Support Team

UK & Asia – Reflecting its commitment to going beyond developing and selling cutting edge lighting products, Chauvet has expanded its international training and support team. The company has announced the appointment of Amy Kerr and Jeffrey Ong, two experienced and highly regarded industry members as product specialists.

Based in Manchester, Kerr will be responsible for the Europe, Middle East and Africa markets, while Ong, who works out of Singapore, will handle Asia.

“Everyone at our company, from our CEO Albert Chauvet on down, is committed to offering customers a complete package that includes not only quality products, but also the ability to support them with training and education,” said Stéphane Gressier, Chauvet’s international sales director. “We want our customers to know as much as possible about our products, so they get the maximum benefit out of them. With Amy and Jeffrey, we have two people who possess a deep understanding of lighting and lighting products.”

Kerr, who has served on PLASA panels, and been a lighting designer for artists, such the English singer/songwriter DYLAN, was most recently a field sales support specialist for Robe, a position she held for over eight years, and through which she ran training programmes throughout the UK.

Ong, a graduate of Singapore Polytec, likewise brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to his new position, having served as the product and application manager at Harman Professional Singapore for almost 16 years. Prior to holding that position, he was the Technical Supervisor at The Ministry of Sound Singapore.

Beyond their sterling credentials, however, Kerr and Ong, follow a philosophy that impresses Gressier, as well as Goran Dončić, Chauvet’s senior business development manager for the EMEA market and Desmond Kwan, business development manager for Asia.

“All of us are excited to welcome Amy and Jeffrey to our team,” said Gressier. “This isn’t just because of what they know, but also because of who they are, and the dedicated values they represent. We look forward to working with them.”

9th March 2023

Doughty welcomes two new directors to the board

UK – Doughty Engineering has announced the appointment of two new directors. Dan Phillips and Mark Chorley will join the board with immediate effect. Julian Chiverton will serve as CEO, with Stephen Wright taking on the role of managing director. The new directors are current employees at Doughty and will, in time assume specific leadership roles within the company.

Dan Phillips has been a member of the Doughty team for more than 15 years, originally joining the company as a sub-contractor in assembly. In his most recent role as special projects manager, Dan has built strong client relationships as well as working within R&D to bring new and innovative products to market. “I feel very privileged to take on this role. After the past few turbulent years brought about by COVID and Brexit, the future is looking bright and I’m delighted to be joining the board at such an exciting time for our industry.”

Mark joined Doughty three decades ago and has been responsible for the design and release of some of Doughty’s most famous and well-loved pieces of kit over the years. He said: “I’m thrilled to be joining the Doughty board and working with a great team of people. I’m looking forward to leveraging my experience and using it to continue Doughty’s tradition of developing quality, reputable solutions for the entertainment technology industry. We take great pride in asking our customers what they want, rather than second guessing what we think they want and that’s something I’m keen to see continuing.”

Julian commented: “We needed to regenerate the thread of continuity as we move forward as a company, and the board must reflect this intention in the management and governance of the company. A solid and secure board is vital in order to guide the company into the future when no doubt responsibilities will be ever more demanding.”

“This restructuring of the company is an incredibly positive move for us,” he commented. “It’s something we have been discussing for some time and is essential to ensure business continuity and to help us meet the exciting challenges in our markets. Dan and Mark are two invaluable team members who will now take on the majority of the day to day running of the company. They know Doughty inside out and inspire confidence in all our customers, and in the industry as a whole. They are respected amongst their colleagues and the wider industry for their loyalty and expertise, and I know they will be a fantastic asset to the board. I’m confident that we all share the same aspirations for Doughty’s future, a future which I’m sure will be in safe hands.”

www.doughty-engineering.co.uk

7th March 2023

The Pro Audio Design Group announces appointment of new EMEA Sales and Marketing Director

USA – In its landmark 30th year, the PAD Group announces its expansion with the appointment of Robbie Dunne (pictured) as EMEA sales and marketing director.

The respected pro audio retailer and studio design group which is headquartered in Hanover, Massachusetts, is working towards maximising its existing opportunities and growing its portfolio in the EMEA region and Dunne will be pivotal in driving this forward.

Having spent much of his long-spanning career in the professional recording and pro audio distribution industries, Dunne has experience in managing large and complex projects and a proven track record in generating revenue growth.

Dunne will support the growth of the PAD Group’s presence in this territory by developing sales opportunities across multiple market verticals, including studio, post-production, broadcast, education, immersive and high-end domestic audio installation.

“I’m really pleased to join the PAD Group as sales and marketing director,” comments Dunne. “My role will be key in establishing new and nurturing existing partnerships in the EMEA region, which are critical to our growth. There are exciting times ahead for our brands, and I’m very much looking forward to getting started.”

One of Dunne’s main focuses will be on driving awareness of the Augspurger studio monitor brand in this new region, from his base in Granada, Spain, which provides the ideal location for access to local and wider European markets.

“Augspurger’s user base has grown exponentially in recent times, and systems can be found in many flagship recording studios across the world, with many high-profile producers and artists among its fans,” remarks Dunne. “Some of our recent projects include installations at the iconic Quad Studios, Top Dawg Entertainment and Snoop Dogg’s Beach City Music, and our artist users include Jaycen Joshua, P Diddy, The Weekend, Coldplay and Wiz Khalifa, the list is impressive! My role is to not only support our existing dealer network in the EMEA region, but to bolster the brand with new dealers in central locations and grow our artist roster by further developing our ambassador programme.”

PAD Group president, Dave Malekpour comments: “Robbie brings a wealth of sales experience as well as a true passion for audio, which makes him the perfect fit for this role and our team. We’re looking forward to working together to grow our brands’ presence in the EMEA region.”

6th March 2023

Powersoft bolsters US team with new business development manager

USA – Powersoft has announced the appointment of Thomas Howie as a business development manager in the US, to further support the company’s exponential growth in the region. Howie, a pro-AV industry veteran, will be responsible for new and existing clients, as well as global key accounts.

Howie brings a combined 40 years of experience in the AV industry to his new role. In his most recent position as vice president of sales and marketing at Glidecam Industries, Inc., he successfully led the department that developed, co-ordinated and conducted live and remote training programmes, an area where Powersoft has built an excellent reputation by making industry knowledge easily and globally accessible. Prior to Glidecam, Howie spent 15 years at CBS Broadcasting.

With a Bachelor of Science degree in communications and strengths in business development, sales, marketing, client relations, market research and customer service, Howie is determined to use his knowledge and experience to help Powersoft clients and users.

“I believe that my diverse experience in AV, broadcast, manufacturing and technical fields will be highly advantageous for our customers. Over the years, I have been responsible for business development, client relations, partner retention, managing PR, trade shows and marketing events, market research and new product development to drive revenue. I am confident that these valuable and transferable skills will help to further expand the company’s success in the US while providing the highest value to our customers,” states Howie.

Howie will be focusing on delivering both short and long-term results for Powersoft and its markets. By prioritising team building and learning capabilities, he aims to expand Powersoft’s market share, market growth, and building long-term meaningful relationships in the pro audio space.

“I am thrilled to join Powersoft’s innovative team and I am particularly excited about the growth prospects that lie ahead in the US marketplace. Powersoft is positioned for tremendous growth and I am eager to play a role in this.”

“Thomas’s direct experience in key verticals makes him an excellent addition to our senior team at Powersoft US. Bringing depth of experience, he will help us deliver the highest level of service that our customers have come to expect. I look forward to working closely with Thomas,” says Tom Knesel.

2nd March 2023

TAIT Promotes Gemma Hodgson to Chief Commercial Officer

USA – TAIT, the global group of designers, fabricators, engineers and innovators for live and location-based experiences, has announced that Gemma Hodgson has been promoted to chief commercial officer. At the same time, Jess Chalifoux, brand and marketing industry veteran, has joined TAIT as VP, global business development with a focus on expanding and growing relationships, identifying and securing new business opportunities and further strengthening the overall customer experience. Chalifoux will report to Hodgson.

“This promotion reflects Gemma’s strong leadership and her absolute commitment to putting our clients first,” said Adam Davis, CEO of the TAIT Group. “At TAIT, we are strengthening our dedication to delivering end-to-end projects from concept to delivery with a focus on understanding both the creative and the technical aspects of our clients’ needs and developing the best strategy to bring each of their unique visions to life.”

“I am thrilled to continue to build upon the accomplishments and partnerships we have established during the past 17 years I have been with the company,” said Hodgson. “I am constantly reinvigorated by the incredible breadth of our work at TAIT, by the vast number of industries we touch, and the overwhelming innovation we drive each and every day. Bringing on Jess will serve to further bolster our position in the industry and I can’t wait for her to hit the ground running.”

Hodgson first joined TAIT in 2006. Prior to joining the company, she was trained at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School in the UK and then spent several years working in stage management and automation for the cruise ship industry. Her extensive technical knowledge and background has served to catapult TAIT’s tremendous growth in the cruise market and well beyond. Having spent the last 14 years in the USA and recently relocating back to the UK, Hodgson’s purview has progressively expanded over the years to include growth markets such as live and location-based experiences, theme parks, museums, large theatrical shows and much more. 

Chalifoux brings to TAIT over 20 years’ experience as a lead agency partner to clients all over the globe. She has grown an incredible array of client relationships across numerous industries. In the world of real estate, Jess has developed brand and marketing activations across a range of projects including commercial, mixed use and residential properties, with a real interest in the art of placemaking and the power of design and programming to bring a space to life. In the world of brand creation, marketing and advertising, Jess has broad and deep experience creating compelling brand stories and fully integrated brand activation programs for major brands such as Target, Athleta, Hawaiian Airlines, Product (RED), and Google.

“When brands want to reward customer loyalty, launch a new product or service, or simply inspire people with rich storytelling, TAIT can be that partner who helps clients determine how best to conceptualise, design, produce and deliver memorable experiences that connect emotionally,” said Chalifoux. “To offer all of that at an incredible level of creative and tech integrity as a global, turn-key solution is truly differentiating.”

22nd February 2023

Mike Bradford Joins Push The Button

Long serving director of operations at the Birmingham Hippodrome, Mike Bradford has joined Push The Button (PTB) as chief operating officer. Mike has been at the Birmingham Hippodrome for 21 Years and before that worked at Alton Towers as technical manager. PTB managing director, Nick Ewins says: “Looking ahead into 2023 and beyond, I am keen to ensure that we have the best possible standards in our business systems and operations which Mike will deliver. Mike’s arrival will also allow me to continue working with our customers, designing and delivering projects as PTB continues to grow.” Mike adds: “I’ve worked with Nick and the team at PTB for more than two decades now, so I understand the business and I am delighted to be able to bring my experience to the company.”

https://ptb.co.uk/ 

21st February 2023