USA - Theatrical Lighting Systems (TLS) has appointed Jennifer Bell as their new sales assistant/inside sales person at the Mississippi office. Jennifer is a former theatre teacher at Starkville High School and has general office experience from her work at Picayune Junior High and with the Mississippi State University Band Department. This blend of technical theatre experience and office skills will prove useful as she assists Rusty Scafidel in the office.
In addition to hiring Bell, TLS are also expanding the Mississippi office. Still in the same location, they now have more space available to them for an additional sales person, and to stock more consumables such as gel, tape, lamps, etc.
(Chris Henry)
France - Nexo SA has announced the appointment of Denis Baudier as managing director. The company says Baudier will continue in his role as international sales director, whilst implementing the company's management policies.
Baudier's appointment comes almost exactly 10 years after he first joined Nexo and reflects an impressive career trajectory with the company. After several years with Yamaha France, he joined Nexo in 1996 as sales director for the French market and was appointed to the Nexo board in 2000. In 2002, he was promoted to International sales director. Under his management, Nexo's international sales network has grown strongly. Baudier will retain responsibility for international sales, leading a team of sales managers based in the Americas, Europe and Asia.
Company co-founder Michael Johnson steps up to the position of President of Nexo. These changes will enable co-founder Eric Vincenot to exploit fully his passion for developing innovative loudspeaker products in his roles as technical director and associate managing director.
(Lee Baldock)
USA - Eagle Audio and Lighting is pleased to announce that production veteran Randy Wade has joined its operations in Ft. Worth - Dallas as vice-president of sales and marketing. Wade has been tapped to grow and develop audio, lighting, staging and power solutions for clientele in a variety of markets including corporate, theatre, concert touring, festival and themed events.
"We are proud to bring Randy on board. His vast experience in all areas of the entertainment industry will be a tremendous asset to Eagle", states Greg Hulett, CEO. "With a vast wealth of industry experience and a resource network of several decades, we look forward to having him continue to grow and expand our business on local, regional and a national level. It proves that we are committed to provide all the resources necessary to ensure Eagle Audio and Lighting is an industry leader."
Wade got an early start in the business as the youngest booking agent at The Jim Halsey Co. booking such acts as Roy Clark, Ricky Nelson, Badfinger and Leon Russell then assuming the role of Reba McEntire's first booking agent. Later on, after a stint as vice-president of Audio Analysts handling such projects as Woodstock '94, Wade helped blaze trails for Martin Professional by introducing Martin Professional to America market when no other foreign lighting manufacturer had been successful in penetrating the US market, say Eagle.
During his career, Wade has been involved with acquiring and managing some of the most diverse and unique productions: touring artists such as Gloria Estefan an
UK - KV2 Europe have announced further expansion within their company with the addition of Andy Simmons as operations director to lead the company from its new headquarters in Harrogate, UK.
KV2's business development director Jonathan Reece-Farren made the announcement as plans for the new headquarters were being finalised: "I am very pleased to confirm the appointment of Andy Simmons as operations director for KV2 Europe Ltd. All of us at KV2 Europe have known Andy for many years now, mainly through his association with Crest Audio in the UK. He brings with him a wealth of knowledge of the marketplace which will be an invaluable resource to us as a company."
Simmons commented: "This is an extremely exciting opportunity for me and I am pleased that Jonathan and Andy [Austin-Brown, KV2 sales director] considered me for the job. I've admired the company for a long time but never more so for what those two have achieved most recently with KV2 in the UK. The KV2 product line-up is really incredible; it's very special, with some amazing stuff coming up in the near future, I can't wait to get stuck in!"
The appointment coincides with the opening of new headquarters in Harrogate which will include an administration centre and warehousing as well as a technical support facility for KV2 customers.
KV2 will be exhibiting at Frankfurt Pro Light & Sound exhibition (29 March - 1 April) in Hall 8 stand number M50.
(Lee Baldock)
Asia - Biamp has appointed Antoine Rouget as technical support specialist for the Asia/Pacific region. Rouget will be based in Biamp's Hong Kong office and report directly to Kiley Henner, BiampĀ¹s Technical Support Manager. His responsibilities include providing technical and application support for the full range of Biamp products throughout the entire Asia/Pacific territory.
Commenting on the announcement, Henner said: "The Asia/Pacific region is quickly becoming one of our most important regions. With the addition of Antoine, Biamp will be able to provide a quicker response to our burgeoning customer base throughout the region. Antoine brings a very comprehensive approach to technical and application issues that our customers face on a daily basis. His extensive experience in the audio industry, most recently as a consultant, coupled with his technical and inter-personal skills make Antoine a valuable addition to Biamp and a perfect fit for this exciting new position."
Rouget brings an extensive professional audio design and engineering background to Biamp, including sound reinforcement and system design knowledge as well as engineering experience with live sound and digital mixing applications. Most recently, Rouget worked as a designer for Engineering Harmonics Inc, where he oversaw design, AV tender specification and contract awards for high profile projects ranging from concert halls to stadiums. Prior to that, Rouget held the positions of design engineer and R&D manager for Adamson Systems Engineering Inc.
(Lee Baldock)
USA - Eastern Acoustic Works is pleased to announce the addition of Bob Muniz to its engineering team.
Muniz joins EAW as senior electrical engineer and is the first hire into the newly announced system electronics design group. The new group will be responsible for the design and development of electronic components for future EAW products.
"As we develop more and more integrated systems, the need for a dedicated amplifier development group has grown," commented EAW's vice-president of engineering, Jeff Rocha. "Bob represents a significant first step in our path to high output, proprietary amplifier designs. We look forward to lots of innovative market-focused products that will result from Bob's contributions."
Muniz brings to EAW over 17 years of design experience in professional audio, working most recently as senior power systems designer at QSC, where he was responsible for a variety of signal processing and power conversion products. Prior to QSC, Muniz worked for Harmon Motive as a design engineer for Infinity branded audio products slated for Chrysler platforms.
"I am honored to join EAW and Loud Technologies during this exciting period of accelerated growth," says Muniz. "The EAW team has earned a great deal of respect in the industry and I look forward to becoming a valuable member of this enterprising and dynamic group here in Whitinsville."
(Chris Henry)
USA - Three new faces join the Robe America team, as the company's buoyant sales trends continue. Craig Gaff joins Robe America's California offices as a senior sales associate. Craig's impressive resume includes many years of lighting production and design work, collaborating across the world with the industry's best known companies, designers, and performers. He's an accomplished lighting programmer with a flare for design. Craig will start by setting up shop in the CA office and then in the FL office for a week or two for training.
At the same time Wendy Medrano and Melissa Santiago join Robe America's California office as administrative assistants. Speaking fluent Spanish and with over 10 years' experience in office management and customer service, Medrano will support the west coast sales force and other Robe sales staff. She is responsible for maintaining customer records and track-back orders; and will also process dealer and credit applications.
Also fluent in Spanish, Santiago also has a BA degree in Graphic Design and a background in printing and graphics. She will focus on keeping accurate inventory records in addition to assisting with marketing and trade shows, as well as provide support for the Midwest sales team.
"We're delighted to welcome Wendy, Melissa, and Craig to Robe America!" says president Michael Carattini. "Each will help us reach our expansion targets and provide invaluable support for our customers, sales teams and staff.
(Lee Baldock)
UK - UK mixer manufacturer Allen & Heath has created a new role within its sales department, appointing Austrian-based Norbert Perstinger as European sales manager. The move comes in response to Due to "record growth in European sales" say the company. Liaising with local distributors in each country, Perstinger will be responsible for the sales and distribution of Allen & Heath's products across Europe.
Perstinger has 13 years' experience as a sales manager in the pro audio industry, comprising six years within a distribution company, and seven years with manufacturers ALESIS, AKG and dB technologies.
"With his business and market experience, Norbert will be a valuable addition to our team, and it is a pleasure to welcome him on board. He is also a musician, and has a practical understanding of the needs of the performer. His input is certain to build on the service we provide our European distributors," says Allen & Heath's sales director, Bob Goleniowski.
(Lee Baldock)
USA - Meyer Sound has announced that the company's on-site, state-of-the-art, 57+-seat theatre has been named 'The Pearson Theatre' in memory of the late Don Pearson, sound reinforcement pioneer and co-founder of touring sound company Ultra Sound.
Pearson, who passed away unexpectedly on 9 January 2006, spent the last year and a half of his life at Meyer Sound as a staff technical seminar instructor after being a major Meyer Sound customer and collaborator with John and Helen Meyer since the company's founding in 1979. Pearson was renowned for his unflagging pursuit of quality in live sound and his fervor for educating the industry about the lessons learned from his years of experience and exploration.
The Pearson Theatre is a unique venue constructed for the multiple purposes of supporting Meyer Sound's high-level professional seminar program, providing a real-world laboratory for research and development, acting as a demonstration facility for the company's products, and serving as a model of the performance potential of multipurpose spaces when meticulous planning and construction techniques are applied.
"Don was many things to us over the years: friend, customer, and colleague," says Helen Meyer, executive vice president of Meyer Sound. "He was passionate in all of those roles, but his overriding passion was for seeking and attaining great sound. Naming the theatre for Don feels like a very appropriate way to commemorate his contributions to Meyer Sound and professional audio."
(Lee Baldock)
Australia / UK - Australian lighting control systems manufacturer LSC Lighting Systems is proud to announce the appointment of Peter Floyd to the position of international technical sales and support.
Floyd has just completed over seven years with A.C. Lighting in the UK as technical services manager. During this time he has been involved with service contracts, exhibitions, management of a technical department, projects, sales and customer and dealer support.
His involvement in the industry has provided him with exposure to a vast range of products including power and data distribution, dimming systems, moving lights and lighting control equipment. He has also contributed to the winning of major tenders and the commissioning of major projects.
Gary Pritchard, LSC's managing director, commented: "As modern products become more complex we need a strong sales and support team to be able to support, sell and train our customers and dealers. The success of the maXim range of control desks and EKO dimmers has created very healthy expansion for LSC over recent times. We have been on the lookout for a suitably qualified person for some time. Peter, with his broad range of experience and intimate knowledge of the industry fills the bill perfectly. I am very pleased that he has accepted the position."
Floyd will initially be based in the UK supporting LSC's European dealer and customer base and will move to Australia later this year. He starts with LSC on Monday 13 February at the Entech show in Sydney.
(Lee Baldock)
USA - Loud Technologies announced today the appointment of Doug White to the new position of Vice President for the MI Brand Group, which encompasses the Alvarez, Ampeg, Crate, Crate Audio and TAPCO brands.
White brings a wealth of experience to this new position, working most recently as General Manager of the Labs division for Gibson and Epiphone. White was also one of the founding members of Behringer USA, as well as vice-president of Operations at Opcode.
As vice-president for the MI Brand Group at Loud, White will define all brand strategies for the Alvarez, Ampeg, Crate, Crate Audio, and Tapco brands and work closely with Loud's sales, engineering, operations and marketing teams to oversee the deployment of these plans.
White will report directly to Loud's senior vice-president of marketing, Ken Berger, and will be located in the Woodinville, Washington offices.
(Lee Baldock)
Belgium - Flashlight/APR Belgium has strengthened its sales team with the appointment of Laurent Grietens as international sales manager for France, Switzerland and Italy. Laurent was previously founder and director of leading Belgian audio rental company Art System.
Erwin Franck, sales director of Flashlight/APR Belgium, says: "Due to the company's continuing growth and its strength in our local market, we are ready to explore new markets. Laurent Grietens was already looking for an exciting new challenge in new markets and we are delighted that he decided to join us. The fact that we also want to develop and grow new technologies such as XLNT's CyberHoist and Synco audio equipment made the challenge and the opportunity even more exciting for him. With Laurent on board we have all the necessary skills to take this next major step in our commercial activities."
Grietens says: "Recently I was considering my professional future and when I heard about Flashlight/APR Belgium's plans to move forward I was seriously keen to find out more. I have been strongly impressed by the evolution of this company over the last few years. They have a highly profesional level of organisation, well trained and skilled crew and a state-of-the-art equipment inventory serving a broad spectrum of clients. Their drive to continue their investments in exploring new markets and technologies confirmed my ambition to be part of this next step for Flashlight/APR Belgium."
(Lee Baldock)
UK - A.C. Lighting is pleased to announce the promotion of Ian Ferguson to the role of UK (South) sales manager at the company's headquarters in High Wycombe. The promotion follows a period of growth for the company, driven in part by it's diversification into complementary audio sales, bespoke projects installations and exclusive product lines in order to provide customers with a complete one-stop-shop service.
With 30 years industry experience and an encyclopaedic knowledge of its products and applications, Ferguson has played a key role in developing the UK sales team during this exciting expansion period. His promotion recognises this achievement and provides staff and customers with an additional level of day-to-day support and focus to help the business achieve its long-term growth plans.
A well-known industry figure, Ferguson built his career working in the technical departments and fit-up crews of various hire companies before joining A.C. Lighting in 2000, so understands the time pressures facing customers with a deadline to meet.
Phill Capstick, UK sales director, commented: "A.C. is delighted to promote Ian to the role of UK (South) sales manager. He's been a vital member of the team over the past five years and has the knowledge, experience and drive to ensure our customers continue to receive the highest level of service as we further develop our UK business plans."
(Lee Baldock)
UK - Buro Happold's Specialist Consulting group has appointed two lighting consultants to its fast-growing LiT (Lighting Technology) team in Manchester. Nuala Morris has a BA (Hons) in Interior Architecture from Manchester Metropolitan University and an MA on Research in Light and Health, analysing the biological effect of light on human health.
Morris will be developing architectural lighting concepts, principle design sketches and visualisations for architectural lighting schemes on commercial and public sector projects, including art, leisure, educational and office buildings, both in the UK and abroad. Current projects include a concept lighting design based around a theatrical theme for a head-link bridge in Wales and a contemporary lighting scheme for a new church in Salford.
Barry Milnes has also been appointed to the LiT team as a 3D modeller / illustrator. Milnes has been a CAD engineer within Buro Happold for four years having completed his HND in Computer Aided Engineering at Oldham College. Milnes will be creating 3D models for lighting analysis and visualisations, developing software to help reduce model construction times as well as producing multi-media presentations for the LiT team.
"These appointments confirm Buro Happold's commitment to the expansion of its lighting service and to meet growing demand for the broad range of specialist services we offer," says Andrew Bissell, lighting consultant and head of Buro Happold's LiT team. "With further appointments proposed for London and Manchester, these are exciting times for Buro Ha
USA - Production Resource Group (PRG) have announced that Art Lavis has been promoted to sales and operations manager of PRG Video and Eric Seefranz has joined the fast-growing video division as technical support manager.
Lavis will oversee the operations of PRG Video and continue to expand its services in the Broadway, corporate industrial, concert touring, film/television and systems integration markets. Seefranz is tapped to provide technical support and assist in creating video solutions for PRG's clients.
"We are committed to steering PRG Video to a leadership position in this burgeoning market," says Darren DeVerna, PRG's senior vice-president of business development. "Art has been a driving force in our large format projection segment while Eric brings over fifteen years of video engineering and projection experience. We are confident that their combined skills and experience will create the most creative and cost-efficient video solutions for our clients."
"This is an exciting time for the video market with technology advancing all the time and clients becoming more creative with their production needs," says Lavis. "I am looking forward to the opportunity to lead our efforts in integrating our video systems and services, including our newly-upgraded media server, Mbox Extreme, on client projects."
For the past decade, Lavis has held various account management positions in the lighting and image systems divisions of PRG. Most recently, Lavis worked exclusively on large format projection projects such as the open
UK - Zero 88 has appointed Paul McEwan in the new project sales role, helping consultants, dealers and customers with specifying and installing Zero 88 products. He will also provide a link between the Zero 88 Sales and R&D teams to further improve external feedback regarding product design and manufacture, say the company.
UK market manager Grant Bales-Smith explains: "We are delighted to have Paul on-board. Paul has been specifying and installing Zero 88 products for a number of years and has direct experience of how they perform in the field. His knowledge of the installation sector and its specific requirements will help us enormously as we continue to develop our product range."
Paul fell into the theatre world whilst studying for his 'A' Levels at North Tyneside college in 1982 and has been involved in it ever since. He brings with him a wealth of project and installation experience, gained as project engineering manager for Northern Light Stage and Technical Services. Over the last 10 years he has worked on a variety of projects including Sadler's Wells Theatre, the Sage Music Centre in Gateshead and the Queens Hall in Trinidad. "I am looking forward to the opportunities and new challenges this post will provide me with and in helping to improve links with engineers and project managers throughout the industry" he says.
(Lee Baldock)
USA - PRG is pleased to announce that Tim Brennan has re-joined its operations in Las Vegas as sales and customer development executive. Brennan is tapped to develop lighting and theatrical solutions for customers in a variety of markets including theatre, television, concert touring, clubs, and themed environments.
"We're delighted that Tim has returned to PRG," says Jere Harris, PRG's chairman and CEO. "With a wealth of industry experience and resources from his days at Cinema Services and Martin Professional, we look forward to having him continue expanding PRG's business in one of our fastest growing geographical markets."
Brennan got an early start in his entertainment career by accompanying his father, Jim Brennan, founder of Cinema Services, to visit clients at television events and theatres. Before moving to Martin Professional where he was director of sales for rental and production for Martin U.S., Brennan served as general manager for Towards 2000 and Matthews Studio Group, both based in Las Vegas.
During his career, Brennan has been involved with designing and managing some of the most diverse and unique projects in the world: theatrical installations and productions at the Paris Hotel and Casino, Mandalay Bay, Bellagio Conservatory, Wynn Hotel and Casino; touring productions such as Phish, Blues Traveler and Feld Entertainment; clubs and themed environments such as Ra at Luxor Hotel, Rain, Ghost Bar and Skin at Palms Hotel and Casino, C2K at the Venetian Hotel and Rum Jungle at the Mandalay Bay Hotel; television productions such
USA - The American DJ Group of Companies has announced the appointment of Eric Loader to director of sales for its Elation Professional and Acclaim Lighting divisions. A 20-year lighting industry veteran, Loader joins the American DJ Group after spending more than a decade at Martin Professional Inc, where he most recently held the position of vice-president of sales and marketing.
In addition to his two decades with lighting manufacturers, Loader worked as a DJ in high school and college, giving him hands-on experience as an end-user of the products. "There are few people who have such vast knowledge and experience in all phases of the lighting business as Eric Loader," says Scott Davies, general manager of the American DJ Group of Companies. "We are honored and delighted to welcome Eric on board, and we believe he will be a terrific asset to our company."
Loader says: "I am very impressed with a number of things about the company, including its loyal network of customers, its great distribution around the world, and the very creditable products and value it brings to the market. These were all factors in my decision to join the ADJ Group."
A California native, Loader is actually re-joining American DJ, since he worked for the Los Angeles company at the beginning of his career, prior to his tenure with Martin. "This is a homecoming of sorts for me," he said. "Some of the same people I worked with at American DJ back then are still employed there today. This is another thing that really impresses me about the company
Sweden - Sweden's Lab.gruppen, distributed in the UK through Sennheiser, announced today a strategic expansion in its sales and marketing team to aid global reach and strengthen marketing support. Claus Behrens joins as European sales manager and Tim Chapman has been appointed as head of marketing. Behrens' extensive experience in European sales was gained while export sales manager at TC Electronic, being in charge of distributors in many areas including Eastern Europe, Scandinavia, Middle East, Africa and South America.
Prior to joining TC Electronic, Behrens enjoyed major success at TC Works as international sales manager. Chapman's 25 years in the professional audio business has included successful and lengthy stints at Turbosound (as marketing manager), Crest Audio and Meyer Sound (as director of marketing). They join the existing team of Martin Andersson (coordination & domestic sales, Sweden), Thomas Mittelmann (international sales manager), Niels Helbo (product manager), and Michael J. Christensen (VP of sales).
Lab.gruppen sales have increased radically since the company's inception, especially over the last three years, says the company. This has produced a commensurate increase in pressure to sustain the growth with sales and marketing activities. The new appointments will ensure that sales and marketing service and support are maintained at a very high level. Managing director Tomas Lilja says: "While enjoying continuous growth from our main market, tour sound, as well as from the newly entered fixed installation segment, we owe our partners and
UK - Artistic Licence (UK) Ltd announce Peter Loosemore as the latest member of an expanding sales team. With additional staff resources in place and new, larger premises up and running, Artistic Licence is guaranteeing it meets the increasing demand for its products and services.
AL's move to its new combined factory/office space, which incorporates product demo area and showrooms, gets 2006 off to a flying start. With its renewed commitment to increasing output and offering faster response and shipping times, AL continues its planned expansion to encompass both product supply and solutions-based project engineering.
To complement AL's improved delivery of products and services, Peter's presence on the sales team will ensure that front-end client services get the full attention they deserve too. Peter is a well-known and respected figure in the sound and lighting equipment supply business and brings a wealth of industry experience from his previous position at Lightfactor/Lightprocessor.
Peter will be primarily office-based, but his presence will be vital at trade shows and exhibitions. Using his extensive industry background, he'll seek to maintain strong working relationships with existing clients and to bring new customers on board. The ultimate aim is to bolster sales and improve the levels of service available to all Artistic Licence clients.
(Chris Henry)
UK - Pharos has announced the appointment of Liz Cecil as senior product manager to oversee the new and expanding Pharos Architectural Control range. Liz says she is delighted to be part of this dynamic, talented team and commented: "I'm thrilled by this opportunity to be involved in Pharos. It is an inspired product range that really fills a need and there are more innovations to come. The future looks very exciting."
After several years in production lighting, Liz spent six years with ETC, initially as European training coordinator, and then three years at headquarters in Wisconsin, where she was marketing product manager for Entertainment Controls.
Pharos' commercial director Chris Hunt said: "We are delighted to have Liz on board. Her experience of marketing and training for control products is a perfect fit. She's the ideal person to represent Pharos to our customers worldwide."
Liz joins the company full-time from January 2006 but previously helped demonstrate the product range for its debut at PLASA 2005, where Pharos won an Award for Innovation, and at LDI 2005. Liz said: "There was a real buzz about the product from the first day of PLASA. It got a great response and it made it very easy for me to want to get more involved."
Pharos is a sophisticated installation lighting control system, ideal for architectural, retail and themed entertainment environments that require powerful control of colour mixing, dimming, moving light and LED sources. It has a host of on-board and external triggering options with intuitive timelin
USA - Aviom, manufacturer of the Pro16 Monitor Mixing System, is pleased to announce the addition of Dana West as its new District Sales Manager for Northeast U.S., reporting to Gary Lee.
West, has many years of sales and marketing experience in the pro audio industry. His past experience includes roles at Fishman Transducers, Lexicon, and most recently as regional sales manager for Line6. West will conduct product training, seminars, as well as attend trade shows in the region in addition to his sales management duties. "This is a great opportunity; I am excited to become a part of the Aviom team," says West.
"Dana will be an important asset to the Aviom team," notes Dan Garrett, vice president of sales and marketing for Aviom. "His great familiarity in the Northeast will surely facilitate continued growth in the region."
Aviom is the world's leading creator of A-Net compatible Distributed Audio Network products, which provide innovative solutions to problems found in audio systems in a variety of environments. Some of these include live sound reinforcement, audio recording studios, houses of worship, theatre, broadcast facilities, post-production and commercial installations. The company's goal is to create revolutionary, technology-based products that address real-world needs and do it at breakthrough prices. Aviom's entire line of high-quality professional audio products are designed and manufactured in the USA.
(Chris Henry)
UK - Guy Horrigan has joined LED screen specialist displayLED, bringing with him more than eight years of experience in LED screen displays. Beginning his career with Invision, the UK's first giant screen manufacturer, he headed-up their stadium sales team who provided systems for Celtic FC, Aston Villa FC and Leeds United AFC. Following this, Horrigan joined Lighthouse where he developed AV rental and fixed installation markets in the UK and Europe. With a reputation for developing innovative commercial arrangements to assist customers' screen acquisitions; he has been involved in some of Europe's most prestigious projects.
Further career highlights include We Will Rock You musical installations in the UK, Cologne, Las Vegas and Australia, the npower Test Match Cricket screens and Reuters' new Head Office installation featuring two giant SMD video displays and a 102m long LED 'ticker' - the biggest in Europe.
"I am equally delighted that Guy has joined the team. The combined experience within displayLED spans sales, marketing, technical support and project management at an extremely high level," says displayLED's Graham Burgess. "This means that whatever a client might want - be it a previously-owned screen, a new one, or help putting a rental project together - we're in the perfect position to find the screen that will best fit their needs. And our technical expertise means that we can help them right the way through the process from initial advice, through project management and installation to maintenance in the years to come."
&q
UK - Star Events Group reports that Phil Broad, winner of several Rigger of the Year awards, is to relinquish his shares in Star Events Group and revert to self-employed status with immediate effect.
Broad was one of the founding partners of Star Rigging, which subsequently merged with Star Hire to form Star Events Group Ltd in 2003. Since then, he has been trying to balance the constant demand for his services at gigs with the increasing responsibility that came from running a division of the expanding Star Events Group. As there are not enough hours in the day to do both, he has opted to go back to working independently on his own projects, the company says.
Maddy Sheals, HR director for Star Events Group, told us: "It is clearly easier to find someone to manage a division of the company than to find another Phil Broad, and we'll be looking for a suitable manager in due course. Phil has been away so much that other staff have the situation well covered, which means we can take our time and be very selective in who we appoint to this key role in the company."
Broad will continue to be available as a head rigger and project manager through Star Rigging.
(Lee Baldock)