Doubling up – The Maestra team
UK - Event design and technical production specialist Maestra Group, run by Justin Hammond (London) and Tom Clements (Dubai), has doubled the size of its UK and European operation ready for a busy 2019.
The east London HQ was bursting at the seams of its Victorian industrial building in Woolwich, where the Maestra mission started in January 2016. When the opportunity to take over the warehouse next door arose, it provided a convenient solution.
Parts of the walls have been knocked through and the interiors completely re-designed so the two spaces operate as an efficient and continuous workspace.
There are now new prepping and dispatch areas for projects leaving the warehouse, greater space for truck loading as well as enlarged storage and maintenance sections for all the different equipment sections. The extra space made available downstairs has been taken up already with new kit investments.
On the first floor, the original Maestra open-plan office space has also been dramatically expanded and made into one large integrated space that traverses the two units.
“With considerably more space, we have an excellent set up to continue growing our European business,” commented Justin. “We all really loved the building, so when the chance came up to move sideways – literally – it was a fantastic lateral manoeuvre.”
Celebrating its third full year of operation, the company finished 2018 with substantial equipment investment – including sound, lighting, video and rigging.
This includes a number of white products including d&b speakers and subs, Robe Pointes, Spiider and LEDBeam 150 moving lights and ETC Source Four Junior profiles.
Upstairs in the new building, there is a new meeting and client liaison area, plus a bar, two kitchens, as well as a giant glitter ball flown from the ceiling.
In 2018 Maestra Group serviced over 400 events – from music shows to high profile corporates, brand activations and other live events of all sizes, genres and budgets
Recent projects have included working on The Grammys and The Brits for Warner Music, Bloomingdales, Cannes Film Festival, Moet and Virgin.
(Jim Evans)

Latest Issue. . .