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14 December 2016

Thomas Walsh joins PRG XL Video from Hawthorn, where he was a project manager, supplying multi-discipline production services to a variety of events. Events Thomas has delivered include the Coronation Festival Gala at Buckingham Palace.

Prior to working at Hawthorn, Thomas graduated from Leeds Beckett University with an honours degree in Creative Music and Sound Technology, and subsequently gained broad industry experience working as a technician and production manager for Aztec Event Services.

Thomas will report to Guy Vellacott, PRG XL Video's director corporate group, who comments, "We're really pleased to welcome Thomas Walsh to the team. He has a strong technical knowledge of event production a

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14 December 2016

Light Motif is a young company made up of creative individuals with extensive experience in the event industry. Emphasis is placed on the quality of bespoke design for each event, combined with complete integrity in the execution and integration of all design and technical aspects, to produce events that are guaranteed to impress.

On joining Light Motif, Laura says, "I'm really excited about working with Rob and the te

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14 December 2016

In his new position as head of live business, Oliver will establish and oversee the company's distribution of pioneering sound management tool MeTrao in the UK, for which Vanguardia has secured sole rights.

Also in May, Vanguardia will celebrate 10 successful years as a leading sound and acoustic consultants in the entertainment sector. The appointment of Oliver further expands the company's team of 30 consultants.

In a career that has spanned a quarter of a century, Oliver has provided sound engineering expertise to legendary acts and artists including Manic Street Preachers, Daft Punk, Fun Lovin' Criminals, Pet Shop Boys, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Snow Patrol.

Joining from audio equipment specialists Eight

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14 December 2016

Bilyk has enjoyed a long and successful career in the entertainment lighting market working for numerous leading companies including most recently a 15-year stint as the Canadian sales manager for Dallas-based Vari-Lite.

Robe North America CEO Bob Schacherl commented, "I've had the pleasure of both knowing and working with John most of my professional career. He has a deep and extensive knowledge of the Canadian market and outstanding rapport with the principal lighting designers, rental companies and system integrators. We expect John to make an instant impact on our business in Canada."

John Bilyk stated, "Recognizing Robe's existing leading position in the global entertainment lighting market, I look forward to leveraging my client relationshi

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14 December 2016

Mr. Van Zele will continue to serve on the Board of Directors to ensure continuity of leadership and strategic focus for the company.

Mr. Charles Beauduin, Chairman of the Board, commented, "Under Eric's leadership, Barco became a global market and technology leader as well as a more focused and leaner organization. His drive for strategic innovation and customer intimacy has helped to harness Barco's entrepreneurial culture and shift the company's strategic direction towards more value-added software-e

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14 December 2016

With its origins in theatre, WL is still the leading lighting supplier to West End and UK touring productions, with the company providing the lights to both Show Boat and Dr Faustus which opened in the West End earlier this week.

Joining the team as business development manager is Ritchie Reed, who has more than 20 years' experience in the entertainment lighting industry. This includes having worked for Martin Professional as their UK sales manager, Selecon Lighting/Phillips Entertainment

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14 December 2016

Graduating with a degree in Business and Marketing, Gemma began her career at Neg Earth. Moving to the role of marketing co-ordinator at Richard Martin Lighting, Gemma became a well-known face of the company, further extending her knowledge, customer and colleague base to encompass the world of television.

Commenting on her new role, Gemma says, "I was extremely flattered to be asked to join the Aurora team. With their fantastic reputation and recent acquisition by industry giants VER, now seems like the perfect time to join the company - I am very excited to be a part of it all."

VER European sales director Adrian Offord concludes, "We are extremely fortunate to have someone of Gemma's calibre join the Auror

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14 December 2016

Working closely with Hawthorn's Head of Hire, David Slater, Mark will raise the profile of the company's high-quality equipment Hire service to touring, regional & West End theatre productions, bolstering Hawthorn's increasing reputation in the marketplace, in line with its commitment to delivering an excellent customer experience.

He will be representing Hawthorn on Stand R-308 at Plasa Focus in Leeds on 10-11 May 2016.

Mark joins Hawthorn at an exciting time for the Hire service which has seen staggering 90% growth over the last six months, of commissions to supply equipment to touring theatre productions.

Mark said, "This is a real

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14 December 2016

Fear not though, he has left his legacy to the next generation who will be here to help where Graham left off, starting with PLASA Focus in Leeds where Claire, Aaron and Marco look forward to meeting you.

Claire Paddon has become commercial director which basically means she has to do all her own work plus some of Graham's.

As well as accounts Helen Odysseos has also taken on a large share of Graham's duties in her new role as operations manager.

Being the most experienced pro audio person in the team, Glen Thompspon leads the sales department as sales executive.

Aaron Sofocleous has recently moved into the role of technical sales and is here to help with your more complicated requirements. Marco Marini is off

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14 December 2016

A Johnson City, TN native, upon graduating from East Tennessee State University with a degree in accounting and finance, Simpson first worked in public accounting before joining the finance team at Regal Entertainment Group, the United States' largest theatre chain. While there as senior accountant, she oversaw the month-end close process, reviewed monthly financial statements and provided detailed analysis of budget and prior year variances.

Regarding her new position with Bandit, Simpson said, "I am very blessed

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14 December 2016

Adam's audio credentials are impressive, encompassing everything from live sound with A-list performers to large high-end installation projects. A sound technology graduate of the Liverpool School of Performing Arts, he holds numerous technical industry qualifications as well as a formidable array of skills developed in the studio rental sector.

POLARaudio head of installation, Stuart Leader comments, "We're experiencing strong growth in this sector and investing in the skills that someone like Adam can bring to the team is a surefire way to maintain that position. To say that he is compatible wi

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14 December 2016

James Oliver, director of marketing and sales notes, "We're a company that's driven by the love of audio and not by financial investors. We've grown organically by bringing in individuals of the highest character and technical skill. Both Richard and Scott fit the mould and they're perfectly suited to support and continue to grow our rapidly expanding user base."

Woida has spent the last six years working in professional audio in Dubai, UAE. During his time there he was a systems specialist for Clair Brothers Audio Systems through NMK Electronics and head o

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14 December 2016

Andy Willcox will connect Meyer Sound products and technologies to a growing market for private cinemas and premium distributed systems in residences for high-net-worth clients. Willcox comes to Meyer Sound with three decades of experience in the residential AV market, both as an owner of a Midwestern systems integration firm and as vice president of sales and business development at CINEAK, a leading supplier of furnishings for private cinemas. He served on the board of directors and executive board of CEDIA, serving as president of the organization from 2005 to 2006

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14 December 2016

Edwin Higgins joins Maestra London as technical manager, Lewis Edwards is the new warehouse manager, Juliet Irvine-Fortescue comes on-board as operations & logistics co-ordinator and Hannah Piercy is the company's second production designer.

Maestra London MD Justin Hammond comments, "We've experienced an incredible start to business since launching the company in January, and the timing of these new appointments is partly a reflection of this, but they were also a key to our planned expansion strategy. We have strengthened our talented and highly motivated team ahead of a busy summer."

(Jim Evans)

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14 December 2016

Kevin Joins the Shure Systems Group from an established AV integrator specialising in the design and installation of conferencing systems, where he greatly expanded the company's business in both the public and private sectors. Prior to this he managed conferencing and CCTV divisions for Bosch.

The appointment was made to address the great demand for Shure conferencing microphone technology following the introduction of Microflex Advance and additions to the DIS conferencing range at ISE 2016. In this new role he will be responsible for identifying and developing opportunities for the Shure conferencing portfolio with a focus on the DIS range, as well as coordinating projects to ensure the highest levels of customer satisfaction.

"It is an extre

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14 December 2016

Arena Structures welcomes Phillip Bish as a project manager, bringing a wealth of over 25 years' experience to the team, having worked on prestigious projects such as The Open Golf Championships, Aegon Tennis, Buckingham Palace summer openings, the Houses of Parliament dining structures refurbishment plus the design and install of a ceremonial structure for the QEII aircraft carrier.

Phillip Bish comments, "Working as a project manager for Arena Group has been a long-awaited ambition of mine, I am excited by the prospect of working with such a motivated and inspirational company in helping to successfully deliver events for such prestigious clients and being intricately involved in such prominent events."

Matt Clark als

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14 December 2016

Gordon Torrington has been with PRG for several years, gaining a wealth of experience and industry contacts during his time as a senior member of the Event Services team.

Gordon will now take up the role of account manager, focusing on lighting and rigging, and working alongside Yvonne Donnelly Smith, director Music Group, and Roy Hunt, senior account manager. He will also collaborate closely with the Music video team led by Phil Mercer.

Yvonne Donnelly Smith commented, "We're delighted to have Gordon join the Music Group team. His enthusiasm for our industry is infectious, and with the wide range of contacts he has made during his time onsite with the Event Services team, he will be an excellent asset to the team."

"I'm very please

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14 December 2016

Well-known in the Dutch music and entertainment industry, Albers has a 20-year track record of success as an international artist manager, theatre and television producer and record company owner.

"I have been involved in the activities of Event Acoustics for some time now," explains Albers. "The company leads the next generation of sound management, with a team that comprises true experts in the field of audio and acoustics. Their work in research and development is way ahead of its time and I am delighted with the decision of Ampco Flashlight Group to give this work priority, putting the globalization of MeTrao high on the agenda."

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14 December 2016

Katherine, who is based at ETC's London office, will be a familiar face to many. Since joining the industry in 2010, she has held various marketing roles at Litestructures, Prolyte Group and Chauvet. Prior to this, she gained experience in both marketing and sales positions across the wider entertainment sector.

In her new role, Katherine will collaborate on a variety of marketing communications projects with colleagues from ETC Ltd, ETC GmbH, ETC Italia SRL, and ETC Inc. She will also work with ETC's regional sales teams and dealers on PR and marketing initiatives throughout Europe and the Middle East.

"Ov

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14 December 2016

Responsible for maintaining trained staff numbers and equipment, White will also look after the logistics behind TSG deployments, liaise with clients and support the perpetual push for new business.

After 23 years in senior management at the MOD, where he was schooled in high-risk search, explosive ordnance disposal and crisis management, White worked with a number of private security agencies, including TSG sister company Definitive Security.

David Boswell, managing director at TSG, comments, "Martin is a perfect fit. On top of all his logistical experience, he has a comprehensive understanding of the operational management processes that are integral to TSG, the ability to expand and deploy TSG assets nationally and a firm grasp of

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14 December 2016

With additional experience gained through his time as technical manager with London Light, the transition to project manager allows Joe to capitalise on a considerable knowledge of all aspects of entertainment lighting to support and service productions at the highest level.

On shifting roles within the company Joe says, "It's incredibly exciting to be taking on a new role within a company that I understand so well - I've worked as part of the Aurora team for seve

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14 December 2016

"As we continue to grow our presence in EMEA, we need to keep up with rising demand in key territories by bringing new talent on board," comments Gordon Dutch, managing director, Peerless-AV. "Dan LY brings excellent market development and leadership experience to our Export team and will be valuable addition to the company and our customers."

Dan has more than 15 years' experience in implementing international business strategy. In his previous position, he was Head of Region Southe

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14 December 2016

Elation sales director Eric Loader commented on the hiring, "We are excited that an industry veteran of Jean's caliber is joining the Elation team. We are confident that his relationship network and industry knowledge will have a positive effect on growth in all of our territories as we continue to expand our efforts into this market."

Jean will work closely with lighting designers as well as Elation's extensive network of rental company partners to add to the continued growth of the Elation brand. He will be continuing the efforts John Dunn started when he joined Elation a

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14 December 2016