UK - The Olivier Awards 2025 with Mastercard have announced that the recipients of this year’s Industry Recognition Awards are Bryan Raven, Rupert Bielby and Sue Uings.
Bryan Raven is recognised for his ‘transformative impact on the theatre sector’, from leading White Light for over 25 years, to championing sustainability, and facilitating and training a new generation of technicians through his support for TheatreCraft and White Light’s apprenticeship programme.
Rupert Bielby has ‘37 years of outstanding leadership in West End theatre operations’, shaping some of London’s most iconic venues. His dedication, particularly in guiding LW Theatres through the challenges of Covid and reopening, has left a lasting impact on the industry.
Sue Uings is recognised for her ‘exceptional contributions to theatre marketing and ticketing’ for some of the West End’s most iconic productions, including Les Misérables, The Phantom of the Opera, and Miss Saigon. Her leadership and vision included pioneering educational and community activity for the original production of Cats, setting a new standard for the industry.
Society of London Theatre (SOLT) and UK Theatre Co-CEOs Claire Walker and Hannah Essex, said: “We are incredibly proud to honour this year’s recipients for their decades of dedication and service to our industry. These unsung heroes represent the absolute best of British theatre, and we are delighted to be able to celebrate their considerable work.”
Until 2024, Bryan Raven served as managing director of White Light, the well-known theatre lighting supplier, having joined the company in 1987. Throughout his career, he has contributed to hundreds of productions and takes pride in having collaborated with thousands of members of the White Light family, including lighting designers, technicians, production staff, and producers.
Over his 37 years with White Light, Bryan played a pivotal role in shaping the company's non-commercial initiatives and influencing the wider theatre industry. His work spanned apprenticeships, training, sustainability, political lobbying, and trade association initiatives.
Since stepping back from day-to-day leadership in early 2024, Bryan has remained active in various industry projects, including TheatreCraft - Next Generation at the Science Museum. He has been a trustee of Theatre Royal Stratford East since 2019 and previously served as a trustee of Putney Arts Theatre for nearly 20 years.
Currently, he collaborates with organisations such as d&b, PLASA, ABTT, the Theatre Green Book, and Music Venues Trust on sustainability initiatives while also advising companies and organisations on Net Zero and Responsible Business strategies.
Bryan continues to be a champion for the wider live events industry, particularly backstage and technical roles. He is part of the Power of Events team, a not-for-profit organisation promoting the wider UK events industry, and contributes to Skillscene, a forum for backstage training.
