People News

Ben Todd’s arrival at Martin Audio boosts high-level integration support

UK - Martin Audio has substantially strengthened its technical resource with the appointment of the experienced Ben Todd, as senior applications specialist. The role will also encompass opportunity to intersect with sister brands such as Optimal Audio and TiMax as the wider Focusrite Group audio reproduction division gains further ground with co-ordinated solutions become 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 complementary, cutting-edge brands. “We want to grow organically, focusing further on supporting our clients to deliver premium integration projects and see where that positions us in a few years’ time.”

Ben Todd is relishing the opportunity to focus on project design, training and market strategy in the installation sector. It was an area he was soon discussing with Martin Audio’s product group manager, Dan Orton, when the two men met at ISE. “We talked about how we approach system design, develop product and how to best support customers. I really liked what Dan was about and how he was shaping Martin Audio’s technical set-up.”

Todd’s new role at the High Wycombe operation was duly confirmed. He quickly recognised the impact of “the family of brands coming together, and forming a cohesive eco-system that was starting to emerge like a little star cluster.” He added: “It’s a really impressive portfolio, each brand retaining its unique brilliance but now there’s a little extra gravitational energy to help move one another forward together. With my background in complex integration, it’s an exciting time to come onboard, particularly with all this great R&D happening within a few miles of one another.”

He noted the strength of the technical team. “The Group is going from strength to strength,” he observed. “As we look across these brands, we know we have something we can leverage as we  grow together and put the time and effort in to train and support delivery through our distribution partners and integrators. As we continue to do this, we’re keen to demonstrate to integration leaders and consultants that we’ve really thought things through, and that being a good partner in the industry is something that is at the core of what we believe in.” 

Martin Audio’s signature sound, developed over six decades, he says remains impressive. “The voicing and tuning of their systems has traditionally been great, with a lovely accuracy in the HF response, that means that you can really get into and enjoy every detail of the music. Today, of course, it’s their innovative and impressive cohesive electronic optimisation technology in their line arrays that is now universally recognised.”

22nd May 2025

HIVE grows the colony with new talent

UK – Hive, the multi-award-winning specialist in media control solutions, 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. These new additions bolster Hive’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge media control solutions with exceptional service.

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.

With over 40 years of experience in lighting, audio, video and stage management, Nigel has been instrumental in shaping client relationships and securing high-profile projects. His leadership continues to be a driving force behind Hive’s success.

As sales director, Rory Jervis will lead Hive’s commercial strategy, expanding distribution channels and strengthening client partnerships. With experience at a top global company in the commercial display market, he has a proven track record in B2B project sales and developing high-impact sales strategies.

At Hive, Rory will focus on streamlining the sales process, enhancing customer engagement and ensuring businesses can easily access and implement Hive’s cutting-edge media playback solutions.

Ciaran Abrams has joined Hive as lead developer, bringing a passion for software innovation and creating a frictionless, user-friendly experience. With a background in developing advanced software for ceremonies, spectaculars and tours, Ciaran is dedicated to expanding Hive’s user base across industries.

His mission is to ensure Hive’s platform is widely adopted, empowering creatives to maximise its potential, whether working on large-scale productions or smaller video projects.

Danni Hastings joins Hive as customer service executive, bringing expertise in B2B and D2C customer support. With a strong background in face-to-face and remote service, she excels at building relationships and ensuring seamless customer interactions.

At Hive, Danni will serve as the key point of contact for customers, while also streamlining internal processes and collaborating across departments to maximise efficiency through new ways of working.

With nearly two decades of marketing experience, Alex Couzins takes charge of Hive’s marketing strategy, brand awareness and ensuring a clear, compelling understanding of Hive’s offering. He will work closely with regional distribution partners to support demand generation in key markets.

Alex has held senior marketing roles at PSCo/Midwich, Absen and AVMI (now Kinly), with expertise spanning the AV and live events ecosystem, particularly in LED and video display technology.

Mark Calvert, co-founder of Hive stated: "At Hive, we're on a mission to revolutionise and demystify the media server industry, making powerful technology more accessible to everyone. To achieve that, we need the right people and we couldn’t be more excited to welcome such exceptional talent to drive our next phase of growth. With expertise spanning sales, development, customer experience and marketing, this team will help us expand our reach, enhance our technology and empower more users than ever before.”

20th May 2025

Anolis Appoints Eloise Reed

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.

Eloise’s extensive knowledge and experience in this specialist area of lighting is matched by her energy, sparkling personality and fantastic communication skills, which Anolis is “thrilled and excited to have on the team,” commented product designer manager, Martina Mičkalová.

Eloise was in turn inspired by Martina’s technical and aesthetic acumen, savvy management style and passion for teamwork and inclusion which have contributed to Anolis’s outstanding portfolio of products and reputation for bespoke design and customised solutions as needed in addition to their excellent array of standard products.

Australian-born Eloise’s own 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.

Whilst studying, she also designed lighting for raves and warehouse parties, working quickly and imaginatively in improvised and found spaces, designing lighting ‘on-the-fly’ as well as programming and operating, all essential skills that prepared her for a dynamic career in professional lighting.

Simultaneous to all that fun, Eloise was also working at rental companies learning day to day routines and broadening essential technical knowledge.

She moved to Melbourne and crewed for theatres and touring shows, became venue supervisor at Marriner Theatres and worked as a lighting and conservation technician at The National Gallery of Victoria. In 2004, a stint as a tour guide in Asia helped with interpersonal proficiencies, then a period in Latin America led to her arrival in the UK in 2008, where she has since remained.

This wealth of lighting and travelling was a learning curve for embracing numerous cultures and working practices, and these were among the key experiences that Anolis sought for this position.

Since being in the UK, Eloise worked as an architectural lighting designer before joining Martin Professional’s architectural division and for media server specialist Disguise, then landing a role lighting art at TM Lighting. Most recently she was at SGM, also in specification and now brings her great work ethic and network of global contacts to Anolis.

This impressive breadth of experience with all things visual, enthusiasm for travelling and people and deep understanding of how technology and lighting can impact all built environments, urban and other public spaces is a great asset to the Anolis team.

Eloise was keen on working for Anolis as she was already aware of the product quality and that it is a European manufacturer championing sustainability and environmental responsibility. She was also struck by the size, stability and creativity of the company.

She appreciates the pace, ambition and foresight of Anolis. “There is a lot of interesting work to be done and a great team of people in place to whom I look forward to collaborating with as we take the brand to the next levels.”

Eloise feels this is “a highly opportune time” to be part of the Anolis journey, as the true potential of its current and developing LED lighting products plus the synergy and crossover between the Robe Group’s other brands starts to play out. 

14th May 2025

Absen Boosts UK ProAV Team with Strategic Hires to Accelerate Growth 

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 "Absen Green" initiative. Peter commented: "I am excited to join Absen and contribute to its growth in the UK, particularly in promoting our environmentally conscious LED solutions." 

• Chris Wilson – business development manager, Absen UK & Ireland ProAV: Bringing 20 years of experience in both indirect and direct AV sales, Chris will champion the development of Absen’s UK sales and enhance customer relationships. Having closely followed Absen's growth and recognising the quality of its LED offerings, Chris aims to further develop and strengthen client partnerships and ensure an exceptional customer experience across the UK and Ireland. "I am delighted to be part of the Absen team and look forward to showcasing the superior capabilities of Absen LED to our clients," said Chris. 

• Martin Price – business development manager, Absen UK and Ireland ProAV: Martin embarks on his latest AV industry journey with 30 years of experience, focusing on expanding Absen's presence in the Midlands, the North of the UK, as well as Scotland and Ireland. Known for his strong relationships with end-users and resellers, Martin will be actively engaging with the industry at trade shows and events. "I am passionate about connecting with partners and end-users, and I am thrilled to be driving Absen's growth in these key regions," Martin stated. 

Collectively, the UK team will be instrumental in driving Absen’s presence and sales across the UK and Ireland and working closely with customers to deliver exceptional LED display projects. 

“These strategic appointments mark a significant milestone in Absen's regional growth strategy across Europe,” said Azalea Hu, Absen’s managing director of Europe. "Peter, Chris and Martin's deep understanding of the UK ProAV landscape and their proven track records will be invaluable as we expand our market presence, forge stronger and trustworthy customer partnerships, whilst continuing to deliver innovative and sustainable LED solutions." 

13th May 2025

Brompton Technology appoints Steve Leyland as new Chairman

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 practice advising technology companies and investors on growth, international expansion and go-to-market strategies. He also acts as the chairman of Cambrionix Group, a UK-based manufacturer serving the mobile device management market. During his corporate career, Leyland served as president of the control rooms and simulation division at Barco, where he successfully turned the global business from a loss-making unit to profitability, before becoming the company’s chief commercial officer. Earlier in his career, he was president of Polycom EMEA, where he tripled revenue and transformed the region into a highly profitable business. Leyland also held leadership roles at Intel Corporation and Dialogic Corporation, where he was general manager of its largest division before its acquisition by Intel.

“I am excited to take on the role of chairman of the board for Brompton Technology and I hope that my audio-visual industry experience can help them to continue their significant growth,” he says.

Leyland’s career has taken him across the globe, with leadership experience in London, Los Angeles, New York, Brussels and Paris, and management responsibilities in India, China and Latin America. His extensive expertise in board governance, international business development, sales strategy and operational turnaround will be instrumental in supporting Brompton’s next phase of innovation and expansion.

“We are thrilled to welcome Steve as chairman,” says Mead. “His deep industry knowledge, commercial acumen, and international perspective make him an invaluable addition to the team. Beyond chairing our board, Steve is keen to be hands-on in supporting our commercial strategy and sales efforts, and we’re looking forward to having him regularly involved at our London office and key industry events.”

13th May 2025

Tateside takes on two new apprentices

UK – London-based integrator, Tateside, has hired two new employees on an apprenticeship basis as part of their commitment to fostering the next generation of AV industry professionals. As part of their training, George Dodds and Joe Sullivan will shadow the Tateside team on projects, undergo technical training and spend time with different departments to gain an understanding of the integration business and the world of AV.

“Many of us started out in AV quite young, and we want to give others the opportunity to do the same,” says Jack Cornish, technical director at Tateside. “It can be difficult for people to find a clear career route into the integration business, so through these apprenticeships, we are offering a path to a future in AV that will hopefully inspire these young people to continue their journey within the company or the wider industry.”

A typical day during the apprenticeship includes site meetings, introductions to different departments from managed services to project management and IT, and direct technical training on everything from AV networks to cabling and rack maintenance. Alongside practical sessions, apprentices also begin their journey towards AVIXA certification by learning online with AVIXA’s courses.

“I joined Tateside because I wanted to pursue a career in technical installation, combining my passion for electronics with hands-on work,” says George Dodds, apprentice at Tateside. “I’ve been learning how loudspeakers work, how they’re installed and the various cable connectors involved. I enjoy both physical tasks and technology, so this job is the perfect blend for me. So far, I’ve had a great experience; everyone has been incredibly supportive and has taught me so much. I’m excited about the future and eager to face the challenges in a constantly evolving industry.”

“I seized the opportunity of working at Tateside, driven by my passion for the AV industry and technology,” confirms Joe Sullivan, also on an apprenticeship. “I have had hands-on experience re-imaging NVIDIA shields for digital signage and developing scripts to streamline data entry. I’m also expanding my knowledge of HTML and other programming languages to further strengthen my skills in the sector.”

Tateside is committed to giving back to the AV industry in which it operates, through initiatives such as apprenticeships and its regular AV networking event, Lateside.

“We are always thrilled to bring young talent into the Tateside team and with the opportunity to expand, we jumped at the chance to find the right people,” says Graham Agambar, director at Tateside. “Both George and Joe are extremely keen, and their enthusiasm and willingness to learn is truly inspiring, injecting a new spirit into the team. It’s also great to see the faith we place in our more senior engineers to mentor these guys and instil the ethos that drives our approach to the wide variety of projects we undertake. Investing in young trainees ensures a strong pipeline of future talent within Tateside and the industry as a whole."

9th May 2025

Robe Remembers Bob Schacherl 1954 – 2025

USA – Bob Schacherl, beloved friend, colleague, Robe family member and professional entertainment lighting industry legend, sadly passed away this 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 mission which was to establish a strong and enduring presence in the vital North American market.”

Bob oversaw the strategic sales for Robe luminaires throughout the region, while building and cultivating invaluable relationships with lighting designers and dealers worldwide.

His love and knowledge of music, arts, culture and appreciation of fine wine were often an asset to building these bonds and many enjoyed the pleasure of sharing a glass with Bob along this journey.

Instantly recognisable for his humanity, quick wit and affable smile, Bob was a key component to Robe’s global executive team for the six years he spent there, acknowledging the power of people, collaboration and the many big personalities of the industry, as well as playing a lively game of golf.

He was always an energetic, positive spirit and his passion for entertainment lighting was surpassed only by the love of his family, friends and the University of Texas.

Bob’s career started at Blackstone Audio-Visual based in his hometown of Austin, Texas. This later became Blackstone Productions / Lightwave Research and then High End Systems, where Bob became a trailblazer in the then embryonic and cutting-edge world of moving lights.

His interest in technology took him to another ground-breaking moving light brand, Vari*Lite, before joining Robe to steer the Czech manufacturer’s North American operation in 2013.

When Bob joined Robe, the rapidly expanding and young company was enthusiastically and proactively pushing the boundaries of the moving light tech world with the development of innovative high-quality products.

Bob brought calibre, experience, influence and an impressive contacts base to the equation, all of which contributed to establishing the Robe brand in this key region.

After retirement, Bob and his wife Carole planned to convert part of their family ranch in Austin into an animal sanctuary and event space, however unfortunately, Bob became afflicted with frontotemporal dementia which rapidly robbed him of his speech, mobility and independence until his passing.

He is survived by his wife Carole, son David, daughter-in-law Hollie and two grandchildren.

Forever a part of the Robe family, Bob will be fondly remembered and greatly missed.

6th May 2025

Alistair J. Frary Joins Area Four Industries Direct UK as Director of Motorsport

UK – Area Four Industries Direct UK, a leading provider of structural solutions and trussing systems for the entertainment, events and motorsport industries, has announced the appointment of Alistair J. Frary as its new director of motorsport.

With over two decades of experience in motorsport engineering and live event infrastructure, Alistair brings a unique combination of technical expertise, operational leadership and industry insight to the role. His appointment marks a significant step in Area Four Industries Direct UK’s ongoing commitment to innovation and excellence within the motorsport sector.

Alistair J. Frary has a distinguished track record working across premier motorsport series, including Formula 1, WEC and touring cars, where he has led the delivery of bespoke structures, paddock solutions and event infrastructure. In his new role, he will oversee the development and expansion of Area Four’s motorsport offerings, focusing on advanced structural systems, modular solutions and turnkey support tailored to the unique demands of racing teams, circuits and organisers.

“Being asked to join A4 Industries Direct UK, completes a very large circle that all began back in the 90s,” says Frary. “I am told that at that time, I became the first ever client to support what was known then as Milos in the UK. Since that time, in my role as supplying walling panels and many other pit box accessories, I have worked with Milos and then Area Four Industries UK, on many projects across the world. 

Whilst the Motorsport market may be a much smaller part of Area Four these days, it is nevertheless a very important aspect of the global market. From truck facias to internal garage supports to hospitality, our gantry systems are now an integral part of a team’s productive and innovative performance.

What excites me most however, about joining up with Area Four UK, is the continuous product research and development of the products and also the additional introduction of a number of new ideas and innovations that undoubtedly will be seen throughout the motorsport and hospitality community as complete solutions to some of the issues currently being experienced. It will open the doors to directly bring together the race teams and the racing public without interfering with each other.”

Alistair will be based at Area Four Industries Direct UK and will work closely with global partners to develop bespoke solutions that meet the unique demands of the motorsport industry.

Area Four Industries Direct UK is part of the global Area Four Industries group, known for its premium brands including Milos, Litec, Exe Technology, Tomcat and JTE. The company continues to lead the way in delivering engineering excellence and reliability across multiple high-impact industries. 

6th May 2025

AE boosts leadership team with ‘big-hitter’ names from events industry

UK – Market-leading full-service events agency AE (Associate Events) has added two event big hitters to its team: Mark Penn of Goodwood and Al Parkinson who was part of the production team for The Coronation of King Charles III. These experienced events and marketing professionals bring an exciting new dynamic to the successful leadership board at AE.

AE offers concept to delivery services in events, production, brand management and PR. Last year AE appeared on the ‘Top 50 Agencies List’ whilst also being shortlisted as UK Agency of the Year in the prestigious C&IT (Conference & Incentive Travel) Awards. Since the second quarter of 2024 it has boldly grown and extended its client portfolio by 112% and its workforce by 75%.

The team which operates internationally is made up of events and communications specialists who advise, support, produce and deliver events and campaigns for an array of clients such as the MoD, Peter Jones Foundation, Belvoir, Dell Technologies, Freeths and CGI to name but a few, with the core focus being within the technology, military and defence, luxury and hospitality sectors. 

To keep up with growing demands and in order to further enhance AE’s services a range of new roles have been recruited to, including the fresh appointments of Mark Penn as the director of sales and retention in April 2025, and Al Parkinson as director of events and production in March 2025.

Mark’s career includes leading business development for match-day and non-match-day hospitality at Manchester City Football Club, followed by a decade at Goodwood, where he oversaw the sales and delivery of all hospitality at Goodwoods’ motorsport headline events: The Festival of Speed and Revival. Also at the Goodwood Racecourse and the headline horse racing event the Qatar “Glorious” Goodwood Festival.

As a senior management professional, Mark brings a wealth of experience in corporate entertaining, customer experience, project management and large-scale event management for up to 3,000 guests and 100+ staff. He excels in brand management, sales and marketing, director-level relations and business reporting, with expertise in P&L management and strategic planning. Mark is also dedicated to continuous improvement and mentoring others.

Mark Penn said: “Alister and the team have built a strong reputation for delivering high-quality, tailored events with a blend of ambition and creativity. When the opportunity arose to join the leadership team, I knew I wanted to be part of that vision. I’m thrilled to be joining the team."

Another industry ‘big-hitter’ to join the leadership team is Al Parkinson who has over 25 years of experience in events. He has played a key role in producing some of the world’s most iconic events, including The Coronation of King Charles III, The Professional Footballers' Association Awards and several Olympics and Commonwealth Games opening and closing ceremonies.

Al Parkinson said: “I’m delighted to join the team on this uplift trajectory, supporting the view to expanding the agency with aggressive commitments to drive further success.

“It’s been a really positive start for me and I’ve enjoyed meeting some fabulous clients and look forward to elevating their events and showcasing their work with our incredible team leading the charge.”

In addition to the leadership appointments, AE has also added several other new appointments and talent to further support growing areas of the business and AE’s clients, all of whom are committed to delivering class-leading, exceptional, bespoke, full-service events and campaigns.

Managing director Alister de Ternant at Associate Events, said: "Every team member has and continues to play a crucial role in our company’s growth and its on-going success. Our world-leading delivery comes from our people, our culture and our passion to deliver beyond expectation; we are people based business and they are the future of this exciting journey.

“Bagging some big names from the industry to join our successful leadership team (whilst also enhancing the wider team structure) is testament to our notable growth in the market. It clearly demonstrates the quality of work we are known for delivering, the value we’re adding to our clients and our developing ‘brand’ within the marketplace. Our ambitious plans for growth and our continued culture will be underpinned by our people. I am thrilled to be able to welcome them both to the team and excited by what the future holds with Mark, Al and the wider leadership team at the helm of this exciting adventure."

Formed in 2010, AE provides expertise across every aspect of brand, event management, production, marketing and communication. From set designing and installing exhibitions to impactful strategic marketing AE services cover it all. AE specialises in staging, video production, photography, set design, live streaming, multi-location connectivity, lighting, sound and the latest cutting-edge audio-visual, enhancing audience engagement through live social media coverage and media opportunities, ensuring client’s events gain maximum reach and impact.

In picture: Al Parkinson and Mark Penn.

11th April 2025

Highlite UK appoints new Area Account Manager to support growth and engagement 

UK – Highlite UK welcomes Ben Hall as its new area account manager. Ben will work in the southern areas to maintain and build customer relationships by providing account management, technical sales and support.

In his new role, Ben will use his wealth of product knowledge, gained from several years of working in the sound and lighting sector and his notable recent trade distribution experience, to increase awareness of Highlite’s own brands (Showtec, Infinity, DAP, DMT, Artecta, Showgear and Wentex) and well-established industry distributor brands among the existing customer network and throughout new businesses opportunities. 

Speaking on his appointment, Ben said: “I am looking forward to settling in the new role and getting to know customers, finding out how valuable Highlite is to them as a key supplier and supporting the team.”

The appointment comes at an exciting time for Highlite as growth and investment continue in the UK market. Ben’s fresh perspective will be a welcome addition to the company’s strong UK team structure of account managers, aftersales support and a technical service centre at its office and warehouse facility in Colchester, Essex.

7th April 2025