Robe - LEADERBOARD - Feb 2025
Doughty - Banner - 9-14 May 2025

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South Africa - DWR Distribution has announced the appointment of Shannon Fagan as accounts manager.
Born in Zimbabwe before moving to South Africa, Shannon studied accounting and has had four years’ experience in the workplace. “I am very excited to be here,” said Shannon. “It’s definitely an opportunity to grow.”
As DWR has expanded over the past 11 years, it has become necessary to ease the load of the accounts department. “We are delighted to welcome Shannon to the team and know she will fit perfectly into this family,” said Duncan Riley of DWR. “Shannon has a wealth of knowledge and skill, and more importantly, a great attitude. We hope that she will spend many happy years with us.”
(Jim Evans)

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UK - Lesley Harmer, a well-known face in the world of entertainment technology PR, has taken a step back from the industry to embrace retirement this year. The move sees the business change to the new name of Sprand Communications, under the management of Lesley’s colleague Sarah Thomas, and the closure of Harmer PR, the business which Lesley started almost 40 years ago.
Sarah says: “Harmer PR gave me my first job in the industry in 2002, where I stayed for three years, leaving to gain experience in the world of consumer PR. Lesley and I got back together in early 2012, when she closed the London office and I began to work for her again, this time on a freelance basis.”
Lesley comments: “Over the past six years, Sarah and I have known the end goal was my retirement. When I moved to the country a few years back, we began a gradual handover, so there has been no
Renkus-Heinz - Banner - May 2025

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Italy - K-array has announced that effective 1 January 2018, Stefano Zaccaria has moved to the position of VP of sales and marketing, to work closely with president and co-founder, Alessandro Tatini.
Zaccaria arrived at the company in October 2016 as a temporary manager, but since January 2017 he has been a full-time insider, tasked with reaching long-term goals as strategic sales and business development manager. He has significant experience, consolidated into a long career path, working with small- to medium-sized companies particularly specialisng in luxury design brands and high-end product markets.
K-array also reports the promotion of Daniel Strasserra to sales engineer in the sales department at the company’s headquarters. Strasserra joined the company eight years ago and has progressively advanced through positions in both the service and sales departments

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Germany - It was at Showtech in Berlin that Michael Feldmann and GLP founder and CEO Udo Künzler met for the first time. GLP had previously caused a stir in the industry with the Patendlight and YPOC series and as a student Michael was looking for an internship as part of his lighting technology studies. "Here, the door to the event industry opened up for me and fulfilled a long-awaited dream to work for a renowned moving head manufacturer,” he said. “Udo then offered me the opportunity to take care of production as a German engineer in China, which I gratefully accepted.”
The paths of Feldmann and GLP were soon to part again. For four years he worked as a project manager and planning engineer in the field of architainment. But the passion that had originally sparked GLP duly led him back into the event industry for a number of years. Michael Feldman gained extensive

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USA - Margie Kirby has joined husband Rik Kirby at the helm of Allied Professional Technologies where she will be extending the company’s services further into the marketing realm.
With over 28 years of experience in the professional audio industry Kirby most recently held the post of director of marketing at Renkus-Heinz, prior to which she held marketing and trade show management roles with TEAC’s Tascam division.
"At Allied Professional Technologies we provide a flexible approach to US distribution which we feel reflects the way the industry and supply chain have changed over the last 10 years or so,” explains Rik Kirby. "For Linea Research we operate as a full-service distributor while for Luminex we work as an extension of their existing North American operation. Now with Margie joining us, we’ll be able to offer our partners increased marketing services

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UK - Pharos Architectural Controls has made a series of internal promotions and role changes across all its teams.
Thomas Ladd has been promoted to the role of international sales director. He is now directly managing the sales team worldwide and developing commercial strategies in Pharos’ key territories. Ladd has been with Pharos since 2010, and has been instrumental in growing its business with key customers in North America during that time.
Pharos managing director Chris Hunt comments: “Tom’s promotion is a great fit for his experience and skills, and it comes at a very exciting time for Pharos to help progress our presence in the fixed installation market.”
Bas Hoksbergen is now architectural market manager, with a broad remit to develop strategies that take Pharos into new markets in the wider world of architectural lighting. He will also be taking

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USA - ESTA has named Erin Grabe to succeed executive director Lori Rubinstein in what is expected to be a year-long transition. Erin is currently ESTA’s assistant technical standards manager and part of the transition involves replacing her in that role.
Erin has been working in technical production in live events since the age of 15, including nine years working for Grand Stage Company as a sales associate, purchasing agent, and project manager. Following that, Erin worked as a freelance lighting technician and board operator for corporate and private events while pursuing a Bachelor of Technology degree in Entertainment Technology at New York City College of Technology.
Erin began as an intern with ESTA's Technical Standards Program in October of 2012, working as a scribe for some of the task groups writing American National Standards. In early 2013, Erin joined th

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UAE - ETC has announced the latest addition to its expanding sales team, with the appointment of Mark Larcombe as regional sales manager for the Middle East and India. He takes over from Darren Beckley, who was recently promoted to the position of sales manager for ETC Ltd.
In his new position, Larcombe will be responsible for the sales territory that includes the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, Iraq and India. He will be based out of ETC's London office, with much of his time spent in the field, working in cooperation with ETC's distributors, dealers and integrators in his territory.
Larcombe joins ETC from the UK-based systems integration, sales and rental company Stage Electrics, where he most recently served as an international sales manager. During his eight-year tenure with the company, he was involved in many prestigious global

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Germany - Jens Nilsson was appointed chief financial officer and managing director at d&b audiotechnik on 1 December.
He will work alongside CEO Amnon Harman and COO Markus Strohmeier and be responsible for finance, sales finance, IT and facility management.
Nilsson is replacing CFO Kay Lange, who will leave the post after 31 years with d&b. Lange will assist with the handover and has a commitment with the company until the end of 2018.
Harman comments: “We look forward to working with Jens Nilsson as new CFO at d&b audiotechnik. He has the right experience to strengthen the management team on its way from a loudspeaker systems manufacturer to become an audio technology and solution company.”
He adds: “Kay Lange’s contribution to the growth, successes and spirit of d&b audiotechnik can’t be valued highly enough. We plan a secure

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UK - The Association of British Theatre Technicians (ABTT) awarded Dr David Wilmore an ABTT fellowship at an event backed by ETC and Really Useful Theatres Group and held at the New London Theatre on 8 December.
ABTT fellow Iain Mackintosh paid tribute to Wilmore, who is a leading consultant for historic theatres and the only person in the UK to hold a PhD in 18th & 19th century Stage Machinery.
On receiving his fellowship, Wilmore said: “This is fantastic. It’s been an extraordinary journey from geology to being here today, being involved and meeting so many fantastic people in theatre. Words fail me and I’m really moved to have this honour - and thank you, ABTT.”
The other ABTT fellows are David Adams, Ian Albery, Peter Angier, Jason Barnes, David Blyth, Tony Bond, William Dudley, John Faulkner, Tim Foster, Roger Fox, Chris Higgs, Geoffrey Joyce, I

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UK - Audiologic has appointed Ben Spurgeon as application support engineer. Ben, who holds a first-class BSc (Hons) degree in Audio Recording and Production from the University of Hertfordshire, joins the company from Sound Technology and will be working alongside engineer Yavor 'Max' Yanakiev to strengthen the team in response to rising demand for in-house and on-site support from its growing customer base.
Ben has varied experience in all aspects of AV system design and installation in a wide variety of settings and is familiar with the major professional audio brands.
Andy Lewis, sales and marketing director at Audiologic comments: “Ben possesses precisely the kind of expertise essential to support our customers in the often complex and challenging world of contemporary AV installation.”
(Jim Evans)

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Denmark - SGM has announced Frank Hoehn as its new vice-president of global sales.
Frank has most recently worked as director of business development and has who has held international management positions in Australia, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland.
He comments: “SGM is structured in a very professional way, with all the right elements to continue to develop further to be a really important player, and I am excited to be able to use my experience to help SGM grow and EMEA hospitality for Martin / Harman International.”
“Denmark has always been strong in going out in the world and selling what Denmark has to offer. For such a small country to have so many world-renowned and iconic brands and companies is quite amazing, and is only possible if you are open to learn about other cultures, without moving away from own principles. Everyone here is so nice

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UK - Rose Bruford College of Theatre and Performance has announced the appointment of Clarie Middleton, currently chief executive of the Hackney Empire, as its new principal and chief executive officer.
The appointment of the eighth principal of the college was made by the governing body of the College. Clarie Middleton will take up her new post in February 2018. She is the first woman since Rose Bruford to be appointed to the role.
Clarie has over 25 years’ experience as an arts and cultural leader. She began her career working for Welsh National Opera before joining the Arts Council’s Touring Department. This was followed by the formation of Clear Day Productions which commissioned and staged co-productions with Bristol Old Vic and Plymouth Theatre Royal. She went on to work with Thelma Holt Ltd for five years, touring large scale theatre productions and working

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USA - German manufacturer of IP audio, video and control infrastructure solutions Lawo is expanding its US operations, adding personnel and opening a new support and logistics hub in Elmsford, New York.
Three times the size and capacity of its previous facility, Lawo’s new hub will serve as warehouse, test facility, training centre and East Coast sales and support office. This new facility complements Lawo’s existing US HQ in New York City, West Coast sales and support office in Los Angeles, and Canadian headquarters in Toronto.
To oversee operations at the new hub, Ricardo Martinez assumes the position of North-American logistics and support coordinator starting 1 December. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in business management and comes to Lawo from his previous post as operations supervisor with Autonomic Controls.
At the same time, Lawo has announced t

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Denmark - Pascal A/S, the leading OEM amplifier module provider for the global pro audio industry, has announced the appointment of Mads Hother Høpfner as account manager. The appointment is in direct response to the continuing growing rate of expansion at the Copenhagen based company.
Høpfner brings six years of sales, marketing and purchase experience in the surface technology industry to his new position at Pascal. He joins key account managers Aage Hejgaard and Nikolaj Pihl in Pascal's expanded account team.
Welcoming him to the company, VP of business development Peter Frentz said, “The fundamental aspect of our client relationships is a sustainable long term approach, in which we effectively partner to help them achieve faster times to market and better risk mitigate their projects. It is the relationship skills and mind-set that this requires that Mads bring

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USA - To coincide with the release of its Achromic Series of active loudspeaker cabinets, Avante Audio has announced the appointment of Chuck Green as its sales manager. Part of the ADJ Group of Companies, Avante Audio is a new professional audio brand.
Having spent most of his life playing music, Chuck Green started out as a sound engineer while still in High School. He provided PA services for live bands at a wide variety of venues and developed a love for the industry that eventually developed into a career. During his twenties, he worked in music stores, managing two different PA departments, and building up a wealth of live audio contacts and experience. He then joined the ADJ Group where he has spent the last 15 years working in a variety of roles, most recently that of international sales manager.
Now also taking on the role of sales manager for Avante Audio, Ch

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Spain - Creative Technology (CT) has announced that Jeffrey Langhorst will join CT Spain this month in the role of international project manager. This addition follows CT’s recent news of expansion in the region by opening an office in Portugal.
“We are excited to have Jeff as part of the CT Spain team,” said Dave Crump. CEO of CT Europe and Middle East. “His skills and expertise as a technical specialist and someone who has managed projects for major clients is a huge plus. Jeff, [along with Sander Meijer as international sales manager], form a strong duo who will be focused on delivering superior service and solutions for our international conferences and exhibition clients.”
Jeffrey Langhorst has worked in the audio visual rental industry since 1997. He started his career in Amsterdam as an AV technician, and then moved to Barcelona in 2009 and has opera

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UK - HSL continues to strengthen its dedicated Theatre and Performing Arts division with the appointment of Ben Payne as key account manager (theatre) and Jo Sunners as business development manager (Theatre).
Both join HSL after working together for 18 months at a previous rental and production company. They will be based in London and the scope of their work at HSL will focus on supporting and developing this specialist sector.
HSL MD Simon Stuart comments, “We’re delighted to welcome Ben and Jo who are fantastic people, well respected, highly knowledgeable and have a vast amount of shows under their belt. In addition to sharing HSL’s core values of passion and commitment to outstanding service, their great synergy and colleagueship is ideal for our ever-growing family.”
Ben comes to HSL with 15 years theatre touring experience which has included light

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South Africa - The industry has been paying its respects to Richard Blamire, the owner of Cape Staging who died tragically in a motorbike accident on 8 November.
Richard, who lived in Bergvliet, Cape Town, was well-known in the South African events industry having previously worked at Gearhouse, Sound Harmonics and was a close collaborator with Dream Sets. For Sean Hoey of Dream Sets, Richard was one of his best friends. They shared a keen interest in all things mechanical and a love for their craft and family (and Border Collies). With an eye for detail and a creative flair, Richard was able to produce beautiful pieces for events, sometimes even furniture that you would only dream of having in your home.
He was greatly loved by his two sons and his wife, Lynne Poulsen Blamire, a pianist, singer, music composer, songwriter, programmer and arranger.
DWR Distribut

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USA - Barbizon Lighting has appointed Tom Madden as president and CEO.
Madden has a proven track record of success at Barbizon Lighting’s Mid-Atlantic operation as the general manager of Barbizon’s Capitol location. His previous experience includes leadership on an international level in roles ranging from stage and production manager to senior general manager & executive vice president.
“Tom recognises and deeply values the Barbizon culture, something which initially drew him to the company and which he feels strongly about honouring and fostering,” read a statement from the Board of Directors. Madden’s appointment comes after Barbizon Lighting Company’s previous president and CEO, Jonathan Resnick, unexpectedly passed away. “It’s among the many reasons Jonathan thought the world of Tom and we are sure he w

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Canada - Adamson Systems Engineering has announced the appointment of audio industry veteran Marc Bertrand to the role of managing director for Adamson Americas. In his new role, Bertrand will lead sales growth and network expansion in both the touring and installation markets in North and South America.
“The Adamson brand has delivered exceptionally strong growth in all aspects over recent years. Adamson has always been synonymous with premium quality sound and is already a leading brand in countries like France and the Netherlands. My mandate, in concert with the complete Americas team, is to build on this performance and create the same benchmark sales and brand presence throughout the Americas," comments Bertrand. "I’m also very excited to be able to draw on the support of this dynamic and entrepreneurial management team at headquarters as well as the experience of o

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France - Airstar has announced the appointment of Thierry Beynet as the new CEO of Airstar European Network. This strategic hire is a major step in Airstar’s plan to strengthen its presence in the European market, as part of the overall business strategy instigated by the company in 2016, says the company.
Airstar European Network (AEN), a commercial subsidiary of Airstar, represents 30% of the company’s turnover in lighting balloon solutions. Thierry Beynet recently took on the role, managing and extending the nine subsidiaries which form the European network. Indeed, AEN is responsible for marketing the entire range of Airstar lighting balloons in this region.
Beynet’s relationship with Airstar goes back many years. He worked his way up through the company, starting in 1998 as a technician, before taking on a commercial role. He then worked as AEN’s accountan

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France - Chauvet has announced that Martin Fournier has joined the company as its European sales director. Fournier is an experienced lighting industry figure in Europe, having spent the last 22 years serving the professional lighting market in Europe. He comes to Chauvet from Harman International, where he most recently served as that company’s sales director for France and Benelux Professional Solutions. Fournier began his career in 1995 with Martin Professional.
“Martin is a very valuable addition to our team, and we are excited to welcome him,” says Albert Chauvet, CEO of Chauvet. “He shares our passion for excellence and has spent 100 percent of his career focused on lighting.”
Michael Brooksbank, Chauvet’s managing director of Europe, adds, “Martin brings a diverse range of skills and experiences to the table. He has excelled in many facets of the l

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UK - London and Dubai based event technical design and production specialist Maestra has welcomed four new team members in London, in time for the busy autumn and winter season.
Justin Hammond, managing director of Maestra London, commented: “We are delighted to welcome everyone on board, and have been really impressed with the calibre of people interested in making a commitment to working with Maestra at this very exciting time in our development.”
Lizzie Bishop joins as senior project manager, Alice Dapling comes on board as a senior production designer; Sirajuddin Mohammed is focussed on the financials and accounts, while Jenny Bumanglag strengthens the operations division.
Lizzie Bishop graduated from the University of Birmingham with a degree in Geography, then started off her career in events as an Events Co-ordinator for Wise Productions, specialising
  1. Picturall strengthens software development team
  2. Anthony Van-Sertima takes key role at SGM UK
  3. Tony Szabo joins L-Acoustics in touring role
  4. Steve Warren to develop Chroma-Q sales
  5. Walton joins pro audio sales team at JHS
  6. Hanslee Lim joins Chauvet Asia operation
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GLP - MPU - Feb, Apr 2025

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