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UK - Howard Eaton was the proud recipient of the 2023 Gottelier Award. Nominated and voted for by his industry peers, Howard collected the award from PLASA MD, Peter Heath and chair, Adam Blaxhill at a special ceremony at this year’s PLASA Show.
Named in memory of Tony Gottelier, the renowned industry innovator and commentator, the award recognises individuals or teams of people who have made long-term contributions to the advancement of entertainment, presentation or installation technology.
Howard, of Howard Eaton Lighting Ltd (HELL), is a serial problem solver well-known for his bespoke solutions which have brought magic to countless theatrical productions around the world. From Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’s flying car, to the crashing chandelier in the Phantom of the Opera; from the flying Olympic rings at London 2012, to advances in wireless dimming

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UK - Bradford-based Pro Audio Systems (PAS) has announced the appointment of Dion Turner to the role of sales support/administrator. Dion brings a strong background in music and events to his role at PAS, having studied audio engineering and music technology.
As well as experience as a front of house engineer working for a variety of bands in Yorkshire, Dion has also worked on a number of festivals as a steward, so is no stranger to the world of events. Joining PAS from a background in CCTV installation, Dion also possesses a level of valuable technical understanding.
Business development director at PAS, Peter Butler, comments: “Although Dion’s role is defined as sales admin, at PAS we encourage our team members to help out across the business wherever they are called upon. Dion’s audio and technical background, wider experience, and willingness to pitch-in suit
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UK - LSi is sad to report the passing of Dave Bartlett, an industry stalwart whose career encompassed electrics, lighting design and production management. Bartlett passed away earlier this summer at the age of 68 following a short illness.
Here he is remembered by his friend and industry colleague, Nigel Walker: “Dave died on the 26th June following a relatively short illness. His funeral was attended by about 40 industry friends and colleagues as well as a remote audience by webcast. Dave’s family are grateful for the many messages of love and condolence they have received.
“Dave’s career began at the Royal Exchange in Manchester in the mid-70s and he progressed to work in theatre – repertory, opera, musicals, light entertainment and some rock and roll, and ultimately corporate where his talents were ideally suited to production management.
“What fo

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Europe - Markéta Fantová has joined the team at Robe lighting s.r.o. as international education programme coordinator and designer, where her role will be co-ordinating Robe’s existing NRG programme on an international level.
ROBE lighting s.r.o.’s commercial director, Josef Valchar Jr (JJ) says: “We are delighted to have Fantová onboard. We have known each other for some time, she has the right knowledge and extensive connections in the arts and education worlds, great communication and diplomatic skills, and we are all looking forward to working alongside her as she develops this important and exciting aspect of Robe’s future vision.”
Fantová has over 10 years of university undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate teaching experience.
She has worked as a cross-cultural project developer, a diversity advocate and an international curator, activ

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UK - GLP UK has appointed the experienced Paul Fielder as its new key account manager.
Coming from a theatre lighting background, he was previously technical sales consultant at Stage Electrics after leaving the Royal Opera House, where he was lighting systems assistant manager. He also worked in a series of London theatres for the Really Useful Group, gaining much experience in various technical lighting roles.
The move to GLP will enable Paul to broaden his scope. “Part of my remit is to expand my reach from London, which was my primary interest at Stage Electrics, to nationwide - and also to take me further from technical theatre into the concert touring rental market,” he says.
Paul is already familiar with both GLP’s rapidly expanding product range and the personnel at GLP UK. “I have known Simon, Kerry and Greg for some time as a customer, so althou

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UK - Sound Technology, UK distributor of Martin Professional, Robert Juliat and Macula Systems has announced the appointment of Sadie Naylor as key account manager in an expansion of the company’s Professional Lighting Division.
Sadie joins from Encore, where she began her career in 2008, gaining knowledge working in various departments before spending the last eight years in product sales and becoming product sales manager.
Sadie will be responsible for the management of key customer accounts within Sound Technology’s Lighting Division.
“I am super excited to be part of the team and getting the great lighting brands Sound Technology work with out there in front of more customers.” said Sadie.
Steve Fay, Sound Technology managing director comments: “We’re delighted to welcome Sadie to our brilliant lighting team. As we continue to grow our pres

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USA - Bandit Lites has announced the hiring of Amy Kerestessy as the director of human resources. She will be responsible for implementing policy and procedures, onboarding new hires, managing employee engagement, assisting with record keeping as well as other duties.
Kerestessy initially began her career in nursing, working her way up to a Level 1 trauma nurse. She later transitioned to managing medical practices, pursued an education in business and business management and became certified through SHRM and Labour Law.
“I finally found what makes me happy,” shared Kerestessy. “I truly can help people in their lives, by assisting them with getting jobs, with issues at work, and even personal things that people entrust me with; that is life changing that I can help someone so deeply that it affects their whole life in a positive way! That is why I am in the HR f

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UK - Polar has announced the expansion of its team with the appointment of Duncan Peberdy to the post of business development manager, integrated solutions.
Duncan has wide-ranging experience of both the IT and AV worlds acquired through a variety of roles with resellers, distributors and manufacturers. His recent roles include senior lead for digital learning at Jisc and territory manager for Europe at T1V. He is the author of a number of books on the subject of digital technology.
During his time with T1V, Duncan forged a close relationship with Polar, the exclusive UK distributor for ThinkHub and T1V Story, so his introduction to the company’s Integrated Solutions division will bring great benefits according to head of integrated solutions, Will Turney:
“We’re very pleased to welcome Duncan to the team. His experience, expertise and personality will stre

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UK - Backup has announced well-known industry figure, Koy Neminathan, as a new trustee of the organisation and head of its Ambassador Programme.
Koy, who is business development director at Elation Professional and PLASA manufacturer’s representative, is no stranger to the demands and pressures of the live entertainment industry. Following the events of the COVID-19 pandemic, he saw the very real challenges the industry faced, and vowed to put the needs of others before himself.
“I felt like helping others was what had to be done, it was such an important thing for me,” says Koy. “You’ve got to help those who can’t always help themselves and, particularly during the pandemic, I felt it was imperative to do what I could to support our industry at a time where people were struggling in so many ways and mental health became a massive issue - people were suffer

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Germany - Holoplot has announced the expansion of its US presence with the appointment of James Bobel as sales manager for North America.
With decades of sales and technical experience and a proven track record of building relationships in the commercial AV integration market, Bobel will be responsible for fostering relationships with US customers across all business sectors and identifying new markets.
“I’ve worked in the professional audio industry over the past two decades for integrators, and manufacturers. I have a genuine appreciation and passion for technology, and the opportunity to join Holoplot was impossible to pass up,” says Bobel.
“What gets me up in the morning is working with designers, engineers who are trying to do something that hasn’t been done before,” Bobel concludes. “The audio industry craves innovation but requires extensive

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Europe - QSC Pro Audio division has announced the hire of Jeff Gorton and Colin Smith as directors of sales in EMEA and the UK, respectively. These new positions will enable QSC to strengthen its market share and enhance its brand presence across the region.
Gorton joins QSC after two decades of experience in commercial pro audio/AV space. “The current and future of QSC products are inspiring and are certain to set benchmarks for the industry,” says Gorton. “It’s exciting times and I’m delighted to be part of the company’s future and play a role in its success.”
Smith, whose professional experience includes managerial roles in both retail and AV industries states, “I am excited and honoured to be appointed as the UK sales director for the pro audio division,” says Smith. “Our portfolio of products will enable us to be one of the best-selling audio b

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UK - Flashlight Ltd has announced that Ged Murphy has been promoted to the board of directors as operations director. Ged joined the company 17 years ago as a technical sales advisor and the company has watched him continue to flourish and evolve to the current day.
“I am privileged and proud to have been appointed to the board of directors as director of operations at Flashlight. I will continue to serve the company, streamlining procedures and continuing to refine processes in order to maximise our impact within the industry”, comments Murphy.
“We are excited to welcome Ged to the board at Flashlight. His commitment to the company has been unwavering over the past 17 years and we look forward to continuing to watch Ged develop within his new role. We are confident customers and suppliers alike will share our enthusiasm for this appointment”, comments David Ma

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USA - Bandit Lites has announced the promotion of John Cameron Carter to integration solution sales. Carter first joined the integration team seven years ago and has since grown as a technician, project manager and sales member.
Bandit’s integration team acts as a liaison between architects, project engineers, equipment manufacturers, and clients and oversees client’s projects from conception through installation, researching and recommending design elements that fit the desired look and budget of each project.
“During my time at Bandit, I have been afforded many opportunities, such as turning on projects as an ETC Field Service Tech, installing large scale lighting rigs and managing architectural and themed entertainment projects in some of the largest US markets including New York, Boston, Las Vegas and Houston,” said Carter.
“John Cameron has been

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UK - Global, independent multidisciplinary engineering consultancy, Cundall, has broadened its presence in Birmingham with the appointment of Natalia Duffy as the first lighting associate in the region.
A chartered engineer with extensive experience in the industry, Natalia joins the Birmingham team, demonstrating Cundall’s ambition to grow its lighting team’s geographical base.
Specialising in lighting design, Natalia has contributed to the successful delivery of projects in a range of sectors including commercial, residential, education, transport and sports and leisure. She was also the lead designer for the public realm lighting strategy of Paradise, a new commercial and cultural hub that pays homage to Birmingham’s history and allows freedom of movement for pedestrians though the city.
Commenting on her new role, Natalia said: “I am excited to join

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USA - Nanolumens has announced that Rob Lamb has joined the company as chief financial officer (CFO), effective now. Rob will be part of Nanolumens executive leadership team, reporting to chief executive officer, Ney Corsino.
Rob comes to Nanolumens from Hodinkee, a New York based e-commerce and media company that specializes in the luxury watch industry, where he also served as CFO.
Prior to his role with Hodinkee, Rob spent nearly 20 years with Turner Broadcasting where he served in a variety of finance roles across the organisation.
"I am thrilled to welcome Rob to Nanolumens where his contributions will undoubtedly make an impact as our company continues to grow. Rob’s strong background as a strategic financial leader makes him the right choice to help us move forward in achieving our growth objectives and continue to position Nanolumens for the future,

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UK - Terry Tew, an established member and sponsor of the Institute of Professional Sound (IPS), has been awarded an IPS Fellowship. This accolade recognises Terry's exceptional dedication and significant contributions to the industry throughout his 40-year career.
As a longstanding sponsor and active member of the IPS, Terry has consistently demonstrated his commitment to advancing the field. He has provided vital equipment, talented staff, and willingly shared his expertise through engaging presentations whenever called upon.
The presentation of the IPS Fellowship came as a genuine surprise to Terry, who remarked, "Receiving this award is an incredible honour. I am truly humbled and grateful for the recognition from my peers and colleagues within the IPS community."
Tracy, Terry's sister, who was in attendance on the special evening, quipped, "I can't help but f

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UK - Following the retirement of Andy Simmons, Nexo has announced the appointment of Nick Bolton as Sales Manager for the UK.
In a career spanning almost 30 years, Bolton has gathered a wealth of experience in three key sectors of the audio industry: first in sales and installation with TMC, then in rental and live events with SSE, and latterly in asset financing with entertainment technology specialists Medialease.
“Beyond a world-class range of innovative, high-performance products, it’s the company’s solutions-based approach that really excites me about the Nexo role” says Nick. “I look forward to working alongside the sales, engineering support and training teams at Nexo to ensure the continued success of our dealers with the Nexo brand, and that end-user customers get the best possible returns on their investment in Nexo systems.”
“Whether it

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UK - One of the pro-audio industry’s most enduring and endearing characters signs off her last press release and says farewell to the workforce at the end of this month. After 26 years at Martin Audio - mostly spent in managing marketing and PR - Maureen ‘Mo’ Hayes is taking retirement. She has been the longest serving member of the Martin Audio staff by a clear stretch.
“Giving up something that’s been part of your life for such a long time is certainly going to feel strange, and I can’t imagine not having it in my life,” she concedes. “But while I will miss the camaraderie, I feel comfortable that I am leaving the company in good hands, with a blend of experienced people and new blood coming in to keep things fresh.
“Dom [Harter] has brought some much-needed stability to the company, as has the Focusrite Group. Martin Audio today is very different f

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Sweden - Brompton Technology has appointed Lotta Schiefer as its new global sales lead. With an impressive career spanning over 30 years, during which she has worked with global manufacturers such as Barco, Vari*Lite and Wireless Solutions, Schiefer brings a wealth of industry knowledge and experience. She will utilise her expertise to further lead the company’s sales team in their mission to provide top level service to Brompton customers across the globe.
Having started out as a lighting technician, Schiefer soon found herself drawn into the world of pixels. Over time, she transitioned from technical roles to more commercial and organisational positions in sales, business development, and people management.
Most recently, Schiefer held the role of operations manager for broadcast and technical services at the Royal Swedish Opera. There, she established a broadca

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China - Miao Wang has joined Powersoft China as a solutions engineer in its new Beijing office.
Wang, who will host the Chinese launch of the UNICA platform at InfoComm China (19-21 July), is the latest hire for Powersoft’s local operation, which recently relocated to the national capital from its previous office in Shenzhen. He will report directly to Abbu Hu, Powersoft’s chief representative officer in China.
Wang joins Powersoft from a local pro-audio equipment manufacturer, where he worked with clients to deliver professional sound solutions, introduce new products, and provide manufacturer support for important projects and installations. Previously, after studying professional audio at university, he worked as a sound engineer at a television station, handling live sound mixing and recording.
“I am looking forward to contributing my experience and un

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UK - Clear-Com has announced the appointment of Anthony Wilkins as business development manager for industrial and critical communications in the EMEA region. Anthony will work with Clear-Com’s current partners and develop new channels for the company to expand in sectors where communication is critical to success and safety, such as marine/offshore, medical, public safety, transportation, and more.
Anthony brings over 40 years of experience in professional audio systems. He has expertise in distribution and partner management for companies including Sony, DTS, Linear Acoustic and Junger Audio, and directly prior to joining Clear-Com, he was responsible for managing EMEA distribution for Focusrite.
“Anthony’s wealth of experience in both the technical engineering and the sales and business development areas of the communications industry made him the perfect can

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USA - Bandit Lites has announced the hiring of Grayson Bowron to the production team in Nashville. As a moving light technician, Bowron will be responsible for diagnostics, repair of fixtures where needed, cleaning and learning about new fixtures when purchased.
“We were looking for some help in the warehouse and he came in and just got to work,” shares Bandit Lites vice president of business and innovation Jake Tickle. “There was never a project he wasn’t up for. As time went on, he naturally started taking on more responsibility. When talking to him about his future and what he wanted to do as a career, he mentioned he was interested in electronics, I immediately moved him to the technical services department. There, Grayson really showed his capabilities. He has a great intellectual curiosity and precision about him.”
“With a focus in the last six month

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South Africa - Andrea ‘Dray’ Fowler has joined DWR Distribution’s sales team in Johannesburg.
For the past nine years, Dray has worked for a company that specialises in signage lighting while her career has seen her operate in business finance, office automation and sales.
“I knew about DWR Distribution from my husband Clint who also works in the live events industry, and from our friend Kyle Robson who works at DWR,” said Dray. “It always sounded like a vibey organisation where I've heard they work hard, play hard and fight hard. To me it seemed like a company where if I looked after them, they would look after me.”
“It’s wonderful to be able to expand the sales team and we are already impressed with Dray’s energy and the way she so easily fits into the team, almost as if she has always been part of it,” said Robert Izzett, sales director

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UK - Roger Fox and John Whitaker have retired as directors of global technical theatre consultancy Theatreplan.
Both men helped to build the consultancy whilst working alongside the late pioneering stage engineer, Richard Brett. Having been with Theatreplan as partners and subsequently directors for a combined total of over 60 years, they will be continuing their working association with Theatreplan, as founder consultants.
Fox has brought his knowledge and expertise to a wide range of important heritage theatre projects, including at the Royal Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool, and the Victoria Hall and Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, which was one of his first, and biggest projects, involving the repurposing of a 1928 cinema into a modern touring theatre.
Fox also worked as project leader for the technical installations at the St. Luke’s Centre for th
  1. Champion joins SGM as MD of North America
  2. Funktion-One’s Bill Woods retires
  3. Matt Dean returns to Bandit
  4. Senior marketing moves at Audient
  5. tvONE augments US senior sales team
  6. Lars Noske joins HOF management team
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