UK - Greg Wood has been appointed to the Group Executive Board in the position of chief operating officer, further strengthening the senior management team.

Greg, a CIMA qualified accountant, joins the business from the Avesco Group, where he held senior positions including group finance and operations director for Presteigne Broadcast Hire.

"I have worked in finance for many years, predominantly with entrepreneur-led businesses such as Regus, Holiday Autos and lastminute.com, all of which were in particularly high growth or restructuring situations," Greg explains. "More recently, I joined the Avesco Group, which includes Creative Technology, mclcreate and Presteigne Broadcast Hire.

"Stage Electrics has a fantastic history and was a founder-managed business for many years," Greg adds. "It has gone through a successful management buyout and sign

UK - It is with great sadness that the family of Muriel 'Mu' Wiltshire has announced the news of her passing on 5 February. Mu was the mother of HHB Communications MD Ian Jones and a founding member of the successful professional audio technology supplier. A shareholder since the company was started in 1976, Mu served numerous roles at HHB and was a company director for many years. She was also HHB's first accountant/bookkeeper and retained this role until her retirement from day-to-day activities in 1989.

During her years with HHB, Mu was very active in attending shows and other industry events. She will be remembered as a gracious woman who welcomed friends and customers with a cup of tea and was known for making late-night meals for crew members after a gig. It is her kindness and friendly demeanour that will be remembered most by the many people in the industry who made her

USA - PRG has announced the passing of Board Member and award-winning theatrical producer, Joseph P. Harris. As a producer and general manager, Mr. Harris had been associated with over 200 Broadway productions. He died peacefully at home in Greenwich, CT on Wednesday 11 February at the age of 87.

Mr. Harris was born in Manhattan on July 2, 1927 and moved to Queens during his childhood. He graduated from Forest Hills High School and was drafted into the Army. After returning home from serving as part of the occupation forces under General MacArthur in Japan, he started his theatrical career as the assistant general manager on Finian's Rainbow, in 1948, working alongside his father, the general manager, Charles Harris.

During his 54-year Broadway career, Mr. Harris crossed paths with many artists, including the legendary Bob Fosse, producing Fosse's Chicago and the

UK - Presteigne Broadcast Hire has appointed Neil Coles as its sales manager. A sales professional, he has a solid history in the studios and post production industries, so clearly understands the challenges and opportunities facing Presteigne's clients today.

Working for the past three years as a business development consultant, largely with clients in the broadcast and media sector, he has also driven sales at post house Prime Focus in London, fixed-rig specialist Roll to Record, and Pinewood Studios Group where he was primarily responsible for the light entertainment television studios at Teddington.

"Production companies and their facilities are under tremendous pressure at the moment," said Coles. "On one side they need to produce more content on ever-tighter budgets and with ever-increasing audience expectations. And on the other, there is a continuous str

UK - TSL Lighting is pleased to welcome Andrew Cheshire to its team as Head of Projects. Andrew has over 19 years' of experience in the rental and installation markets. Andrew was most recently technical manager at West End Studios and has also previously worked at Hawthorns. Andrew heads up the project management team at TSL and brings a wide range of expertise and experience to the role and the company.

UK - PAI Group has appointed Martin Draisey as its new business development manager. Martin is an experienced sales professional with a wealth of industry knowledge. He will be responsible for the delivery of specialist integrated audio-visual, sound, lighting and control solutions, working directly with clients and design teams across various sectors.

After receiving a diploma in Multi-track Recording from the Gateway School of Recording & Music Technology at Kingston Polytechnic, Martin started his career as a recording engineer at Harp Recordings Ltd before becoming a Sound Engineer for independent local radio station Swansea Sound.

He joined PA Installations Ltd in 1993 as a field engineer, working his way up to customer support manager and then Technical Sales Manager during an 11-year spell with the company.

In 2004 Martin took up the role of regional sales manager at

Europe - GDS has announced that Fernando Freitas has been appointed as its new European account manager.

Fernando will be responsible for the European territory working with GDS's dealer network in Europe and end users in both, the entertainment industry and development of new opportunities in other industries.

Moving from marketing manager to European account manager he changes his role at GDS as part of the ongoing strategy to increase GDS participation in the European market.

Fernando brings almost two years of experience within GDS and a good understanding of the entertainment and event industry.

Fernando comments, "Having settled into the marketing department I am now thrilled to work with our European partners directly in this amazing industry. I am looking forward to this new exciting role and providing the best solutions to current and future customers."<

UK - Flashlight Ltd has announced the appointment of industry veteran Gordon Smith, who joins the company's UK sales department as a Film and TV sales executive. Gordon will provide field based sales and support for the company's expanding range of leading lighting brands.

A well-known face in the industry, Gordon brings over 40 years' specialist knowledge and commercial experience to the new role, having previously worked in a variety of TV, film, theatre and entertainment lighting hire and sales roles. Gordon says: "I'm looking forward to the exciting challenges ahead within an established, vibrant company. I can't wait to get started!"

Flashlight directors Andy Dodd and Rob Williamson commented: "We're delighted to welcome Gordon to the company. His extensive experience and knowledge of the Film/ TV lighting market further strengthens our high level of produc

USA - Entertainment lighting manufacturer High End Systems has announced that industry sales veteran Sean Hoey has returned to the Austin-based company as Eastern US sales manager. After working at High End Systems throughout the 1990s-2000s, Hoey enjoyed a successful tenure as a territory sales manager at Christie Digital Systems.

Hoey comments, "I am excited to be back at the company that was so instrumental in my career development in this industry. High End Systems is now in its third decade of creating cutting-edge products for lighting professionals, and I look forward to working with our client base - a mix of old friends and new faces - and introducing them to our latest technological innovations."

In other HES news, the company announced they have restructured their US sales team and efforts. Adam Camp will continue as Western US sales manager, while Hoey wi

Finland - Genelec has announced the promotion of Sami Mäkinen to the role of business manager - AV install. This key segment of the Genelec business will benefit from Sami's previous experience within the company which has given him a comprehensive knowledge of the Genelec product portfolio across the company's various business segments.

Sami joined Genelec in 2007 as domestic sales manager (Finland) and later moved to international sales manager, home audio. His new role will see him use his many years' experience in the company to develop existing customer relationships within the AV market and explore new opportunities. Sami will also be responsible for co-ordinating sales and marketing activities for the AV Install business segment.

"I'm taking up this role at an exciting time," says Sami. "The AV Install business is booming as is demonstrated by the hu

UK - Events production supplier White Light has announced the appointment of Alicia Earls as business development manager for events. Alicia joins White Light after more than seven years as communications manager for the Science Museum Group, where she helped develop the successful #StrictlySW7 event showcase involving the Science Museum and neighbouring venues the Natural History Museum and the Victoria and Albert museum.

Alicia joins the White Light Events team from April 2015. In her new role, she will focus on expanding the company's relationships with corporate clients and strengthening links with key events venues. She brings to the role more than a decade of experience in the events industry working with a broad range of clients including Coca-Cola, EE, Virgin Media Business, Friends of the Earth, Siemens and Condé Nast.

Having worked with White Light over the ye

USA - D.A.S. Audio has announced the appointment of Arthur 'Loren' Robinson to the newly created position of business development manager-installed sound. In his new capacity, Robinson will be tasked with overseeing nationwide sales for the company's installed sound accounts.

In this capacity, Robinson will serve as the company's interface with integrators, consultants, and design / build firms, and he will also assist in managing and hiring the various representative firms that coordinate sales throughout the various territories. Robinson started in February and will be based out of Southern California.

Robinson's background makes him well-suited for his new position with D.A.S. Audio. He studied applied electronics at both Wright Technical Institute and Cypress College in Cypress, CA. His skills include audio systems, technical training, and large project development. Most r

UK - ABTT training co-ordinator Geoffrey Joyce, who through his creation of the ABTT Bronze Award has been instrumental in forging the career paths of many of today's working theatre technicians, was honoured at the Creative & Cultural Skills Awards 2015.

By winning The Theatre Skills Award from amongst a very strong short list, Geoff was honoured in recognition of the debt the technical theatre sector owes to him as a theatre practitioner and trainer. Through his personal conviction and resolve Geoff has established a relevant, accessible and vocational training provision for young people wishing to commence careers in technical theatre.

A facilitator and training programme leader for the ABTT, the introductory training courses Geoff has devised distil a suite of vocational skills, to provide the essential grounding that ensures a new entrant to technical theatre will be safe

USA - Martin Professional has appointed Brad Schiller as Business Development Manager of Rental & Touring for the United States. Schiller will be based in Austin, Texas and will report to Grif Palmer, Senior Manager of Rental & Touring - Lighting.

"Brad brings an extensive knowledge of the lighting industry and strong relationships that will be a valuable asset across the touring, TV, theatre and event markets," said Palmer. "Having worked with Brad in the past, I am confident his skills will not only strengthen our existing relationships but also help further develop our network of lighting influencers in the US."

Schiller's primary duties will focus on developing and strengthening relationships with designers and rental associates in the US. In addition, his background with product development will be utilized to support Martin's existing and emerging ran

Germany - A.C. Entertainment Technologies (AC-ET) has announced the appointment of Detlef Eobaldt in the new role of regional sales representative for Germany - with immediate effect.

Detlef has more than 25 years of lighting experience working in various sales and managerial roles, including establishing himself as a leading industry expert in LED solutions over the past 15 years.

After spending seven years working in various product development, production, marketing and international sales roles for LED companies in the Netherlands and Germany, Detlef set up his own LED consultancy business in 2008 to utilise his extensive experience and global network of manufacturers to specify tailor-made solutions for client applications.

This previous experience makes him well placed to provide the highest level of local sales and support for the many exclusive and key technology br

USA - Bandit Lites' family continues to grow with the recent hire of Brad Hylton as warehouse manager and the promotion of longtime Bandit employee Giff Swart to general manager.

Brad Hylton has been immersed in the world of lighting for years, having studied lighting at school before working at Dollywood. He then joined Bandit Lites and toured with LeAnn Rimes, Reba McEntire and Brian Wilson before working as a lighting tech for Carnival Cruise Lines, Dollywood and as an LD in Las Vegas. His new position as the warehouse manager will include daily operations, BanditBuys.com orders, assisting with sales and show prep in addition to inventory and shipments.

"Ever since I learned of Bandit Lites in the late '90s, I've wanted to work here," said Hylton. "I had the opportunity to work for Bandit early in my career and I learned so much, so I am excited to have this

USA - XL Video US has announced the addition of German Perl as technical director media application and projection. After 10 years of developing leading edge technologies with XL Video in Dusseldorf, Perl joins the US operation to position the subsidiary for expansion into complete turnkey video and presentation solutions for its clients.

XL Video is an industry leading, global provider of high-end video display systems delivering quality LED technology, projectors, and media servers as well as experienced technical support. Perl's role is to develop emerging video solutions for innovative and aesthetically daring shows.

While with XL Video Dusseldorf, Perl played an integral part in developing proprietary show control systems for clients such as Opel and Renault.

"We are pleased to have German working with us full time. His talent and skill will take us to a new level,

UK - Ambersphere Solutions was formed back in 2011 with just four staff to look after the UK sales, service and support for Clay Paky and MA Lighting. Since then the company has gone from strength to strength, growing steadily whilst maintaining its strong support ethic.

In June 2013 lighting manufacturer Robert Juliat came on board and just over a year later Ayrton joined the Ambersphere family. Likewise, from the original team of four, the company's West London base is now home to a much larger workforce and is still recruiting.

Sales director Philip Norfolk explains: "We are very proud of our reputation for delivering the very best in sales, customer support and service so expanding our team was a vital ingredient in maintaining or even improving the level of service we offer to all of our customers."

Most recently, Ambersphere has taken on an additional five pe

Denmark - A.C. Entertainment Technologies (AC-ET) has announced the appointment of Brith de Blanck in the new role of regional sales representative for Denmark - with immediate effect.

Brith has over 25 years of experience working in sales andmarketing roles for various technology and media companies. Since joining the industry in 2006, she has gained extensive commercial experience and knowledge of the latest entertainment technologies whilst working in product marketing roles for Martin Professional A/S and Harman International.

This previous experience makes her well placed to provide the highest level of local sales and support for the many exclusive and key technology brands available in this region from AC-ET. These include the Chroma-Q range of premium performance LED entertainment and architectural lighting solutions. Other technologies include the Jands range of award

USA - Roland Corporation US has announced three new personnel appointments that align with the company's current strategic business plan. The announcement was made by Jay Wanamaker, president and CEO of Roland Corporation US, and reflects Roland's ongoing commitment to the expansion of the company and its brands.

Steve Spak joins the team as district sales manager (DSM) for the Mid-Atlantic District, spanning from New York City to Washington, D.C. Spak comes to Roland most recently from KMC Music Inc., where he was a respected sales team member and consistent top performer. In his new role, he will develop and maintain dealer relationships and sales programs, offer dealer resources in support of Roland products, strategy and objectives, and provide product training, merchandising and promotions at the retail level.

Daniel Lee comes on board as local marketing specialist. Lee w

China - To accelerate the expansion of its Asia-Pacific presence, Meyer Sound has announced two new hires: John Zhang as sales manager, China and Korea, and Tim Boot as business development manager, Asia-Pacific.

Working closely with the regional sales and support network, Zhang and Boot will work to expand a user base that has included the Chimelong Ocean Kingdom in Zhuhai, the Beijing Auto Show, Alpensia Hall in South Korea, and more.

"From theatrical spectacles to cinema and live touring, Asia is now a vibrant hub of some of the most sophisticated and ambitious Meyer Sound installations," says John McMahon, Meyer Sound's vice president of solutions and strategy. "Our continued growth potential in Asia lies not only in quality products but also in our ability to provide timely and knowledgeable support to the region. With John and Tim on the team, we look forw

UAE - dpa lighting consultants FZ LLC have announced that Nikolaos Moskofidis and Chetna Misra have joined their Dubai studio as senior designer and designer respectively.

Nikos has been practising as a lighting consultant in Athens for eight years contributing to many successful projects. Chetna has been based in Dubai for the last eighteen months and already has knowledge of the region. Nikolaos and Chetna are part of the practice's recent strategy to enlarge and strengthen its Middle East design team.

In addition, Tim Leeding, a senior designer based in dpa's Oxfordshire studio, will be relocating to the UAE to work in dpa's Dubai office. Tim has been working on Middle East projects for the last 12 months with the practice from the UK and is already fully engaged with some significant projects in the region.

Barry Hannaford and Nick Hoggett, the principals of dpa Dubai, h

Italy - Loudspeaker manufacturer Eighteen Sound has announced the appointment of Davwinder Sheena as director of sales, Middle East, Asia and Pacific Rim and Jeffrey Cox as director of sales North America.

Sheena will be responsible for managing distributors, as well as market development, in China, India and other key Asian manufacturing centres.He comes to Eighteen Sound with an array of experience in the pro audio market. Based in Singapore, Sheena has guided sales leadership in various market quadrants in the Asian region for a number of name brands from the US and Europe.

"We are excited to develop this important region of the world utilizing the extensive experience and relationships that Davwinder brings," explains Giacomo Previ, Eighteen Sound director of global sales. "His fluency in so many Asian languages and his comfortable demeanour, make him the id

UK - Specialist asset finance company Medialease has expanded its sales force with the appointment of long term industry professional, Stuart Fenwick, who has held management roles in the European production technology industry for over 20 years and is a familiar face to manufacturers, rental companies and end users alike.

With broadcast, live event and AV technology continuing to evolve at a remarkable pace, Medialease's specialist asset finance services are in more demand than ever to ensure that service providers and rental companies have the most up-to-date equipment. But the company also services a much wider customer base, all of whom need sound advice and dedicated, individual service - which is why Stuart was the standout candidate.

"Stuart's combination of experience, industry knowledge and being a well-known face ideally place him to provide the kind of service

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