Six candidates from across the membership put themselves forward for the four available places, creating an election campaign which generated one of the highest number of votes cast in the organisation's history.
Joining the Executive for the first time are Duncan Bell of Autograph Sound and Murray Gellatly of Artistic Licence who take seats on the committee following the departure of Adrian Brooks of LiteStructures, who stepped down in December after serving six years, and the death earlier in the year of long-serving committee member David Hopkins OBE.
Existing committee members Ed Pagett of Panalux and Martin Hawthorn of Hawthorn's both renewed their nominations and return to the committee to serve further three-year terms.
With serving committee member Linda Moore having tendered her resignation to take on the new role of Sales & Marketing Director with PLASA, Matt Lloyd of Global Design Solutions also takes up a position on the Executive.
The Executive work closely with the PLASA team to ensure the continued delivery of a wide-ranging strategy supporting its membership, events, media, technical and skills initiatives: in October 2009, PLASA announced its intention to merge with US-based ESTA, another international trade body, which, if sanctioned by the members, will effectively create a global membership of over 1100 businesses operating under the PLASA name.
On the political front, the organisation continues to campaign on behalf of the sector as Ofcom moves to finalise the details of its Digital Dividend Review - a Government proposal which will see the radio spectrum relied on by the industry either auctioned or reassigned. Having already won key concessions from Ofcom, PLASA continues to work with BEIRG (British Entertainment Industry Radio Group) to protect the industry's interests and is currently preparing its bid to be the new industry Band Manager.
(Claire Beeson)
