For Installation‘s third annual Pro AV Watch List, after the biggest nominations drop to date, the magazine selected those it sees as the most notable influencers in AV at the current time: the ones to watch over the next 12 months and beyond; the movers and shakers helping to shape the AV industry, including CEOs, sales leads and marketing professionals.
Below are this year’s movers and shakers. You can also view them here – with all the mugshots! – in the pages of the new edition of Installation.
Amy Amesbury, UK & Ireland marketing manager, Kinly
An accomplished marketing professional, Amesbury boasts over 20 years experience in marketing, PR and event management roles, including 12 years working for leading brands and key players in the audiovisual industry, including Crestron and Pro AV.
She has experience managing a variety of marketing functions, from content marketing to customer relationship management (CRM) and is an accredited member of The Chartered Institute of Marketing.
In her new role at Kinly (she was appointed in mid-September of this year), Amesbury is responsible for further boosting the UK side of the business, driving demand generation, as well as supporting sales to new and existing customers through targeted, localised marketing plans.
Tom Barker-Harrold, senior marketing director, Integrated Systems Europe
Barker-Harrold is a senior business leader specialising in building high-performance marketing teams for scale-up and SME technology companies.
Working within the pro audio technology industry for fifteen years, after graduating with a Bachelor’s in Music Technology, he served in leadership roles at notable international AV brands including Audio-Technica, d&b audiotechnik and Holoplot. During this time, he also developed valuable experience as an ISE exhibitor, a significant USP he brings to his new role with the industry’s largest and most important trade show.
Based in the UK, Barker-Harrold joined Integrated Systems Europe as its senior marketing director in August of 2023, and is overseeing the company’s marketing and content strategy across multiple platforms in the lead up to its forthcoming flagship 20th anniversary event.
Faye Bennett, founder & managing director, Faye Bennett Consultancy Services
Bennett fuels her business by two core goals: to provide the very best AV user experience for end-users; and to enable AV businesses to thrive, grow and become profitable by having a robust service strategy in place.
Bennett deploys an unwavering passion and enthusiasm; she’s the very definition of a go-getter. Her passion for AV and her tireless commitment to excellence rapidly propelled her start-up to remarkable heights. Within just three months of launching her business, she achieved profitability; a testament to her strategic acumen and dedication.
Bennett’s ability to navigate the turbulent waters of the Covid-19 pandemic also showcases her resilience and adaptability. Implementing an interim management solution, she ensured a steady stream of revenue, supported AV businesses when they needed it most, and provided non-traditional services that proved essential during unprecedented times. She continues to embody this mindset to this very day, continually adjusting to the constantly shifting AV landscape.
An AV industry marked by a consultative approach is how Bennett sees the future. Her focus on understanding the needs, pain points, and goals of customers, whether end-users or channel businesses, exemplifies her dedication to providing value-driven solutions.
Jack Cornish, technical director, Tateside AV
Cornish specialises in project management and the installation of professional audio and visual equipment.
After periods working as a music technician and runner, Cornish joined Tateside in 2011, starting out as a project manager. He cut his AV teeth in consultancy, design and installation, including home cinema and home automation. Promoted to the position of technical director in 2015, he is approaching his thirteenth year at the AV and IT services specialist.
During this time, Cornish has seen considerable change in how AV projects are run, the speed at which they happen and the requirements from clients. As part of this, he says SIs have to be adaptable and make sure their professional services are what they should be, such as having in-house CAD and programming capability.
Adam Corrie, technical director, Engage Works
As technical director of the creative technology agency Engage Works, Corrie has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership in developing highly technical, interactive and collaborative experiences. His visionary approach has left a significant mark on the interactive experiences industry, from steering immersive cultural projects for museums, crafting innovation facilities for top corporate organisations, and crafting visionary spaces like the Flux Innovation Lounge within Engage Works.
At Engage, Corrie manages the technical team and oversees multiple concurrent projects in the UK and the Middle East. His role requires technical prowess and a deep understanding of the creative nuances that make each project unique.
His influence extends far beyond Engage Works. Since 2005, he has been a trailblazer in producing interactive, immersive exhibits featured in science museums, art galleries, and attractions across five continents. His commitment to advancing the field is evident in his role as a technical communicator, delivering seminars globally to students, educators, and researchers.
Having served as the technical services manager at the Royal College of Art, and technical coordinator at the University of the Arts London, Corrie brings a wealth of experience to his current role. His contributions to education include teaching undergraduate and postgraduate courses in physical computing, creative coding, and spatial augmented reality.
David Dibble, CEO, MSG Ventures
A seasoned technologist and business leader with decades of experience developing and advancing sustainable technology platforms across multiple industries, Dibble was CTO at Cablevision Systems Corporation, and previously spent six years at Yahoo! where he designed and built the world’s most efficient data centre.
He joined MSG as CEO in 2016, and has been instrumental in the development and launch of The Sphere in Las Vegas.
Dibble is also an advisory board member at Elementum SCM, a cloud-based supply chain start-up. He graduated at University of Kansas, where he earned his BS in quantitative economics and completed three years of graduate studies in economics, mathematics, and computer science.
Gordon Dutch, CEO, Re-Sauce
In the 90s, Dutch developed car audio brands like JL Audio, MTX and others into leading UK and global brands. He launched BBG Distribution in 1992 during one of the worst global recessions, and grew it into a significant business, expanding into home cinema and residential AV integration, with successes for brands such as Jamo and Nakamichi.
BBG opened concessions in Harrods, Selfridges, John Lewis, House of Fraser, Comet, Dixons and many of the major independents. In 2008, during the global banking crisis, Dutch sold BBG to Peerless, rebranding the business as Peerless-AV, and helping it to become one of the leading mounts manufacturers globally.
More recently, he launched Re-Sauce during Covid, growing it into a respected global sales and business strategy consultancy that also offers a full range of digital services and PR.
Thomas Fenton, senior business development manager, EMEA, Peerless-AV
Since 2016, Fenton has been responsible for European OEM account management and the emerging technology product division within Peerless-AV, which includes the Xtreme High Bright Outdoor Display range and dvLED Mounting Systems. In the past two years, he has executed a product and process-led strategy for the dvLED business, which has been a major growth driver for the company globally.
Fenton has expanded the engineering and product management team by increasing headcount, and has implemented local engineering and manufacturing procedures. In doing so, Peerless-AV can now offer the same turnkey solutions from design and engineering to manufacturing and installation as had previously only been possible from the US.
He also project manages EMEA customer installations, working with his Peerless team and regional OEM and integration partners. This includes Peerless-AV’s award-winning showcase dvLED project in EMEA at the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University in Morocco, the largest immersive, (313.46-degree) curved dvLED video wall in North Africa.
In EMEA, Fenton has taken the dvLED business from scratch and has seen sales grow year on year over the past six years. As of September 2023, growth was up 97 per cent year on year.
Daniel Lee, managing director, Hewshott
Lee is focused on working with organisations to drive down audiovisual installation costs, filling gaps in technology expertise, and increasing workforce capability with strategic and innovative AV solutions that allow them to adapt to the pace of change.
His specialities include: independent consultancy, project management, AV installation management, account management, cost-saving initiatives, emerging technology, process development and implementation, bespoke AV strategy and solutions, contract and implementation management, and RFP and procurement management.
Ian Morrish, founder, Together for Cinema
Morrish founded Together for Cinema in 2009 during his tenure at ISE. Since March 2021, he has dedicated himself entirely to what has recently become a community interest company. Under his leadership, Together for Cinema has brought the AV industry together for this amazing cause, which facilitates the free supply and installation of cinema rooms in hospices and care support services across the UK.
Morrish’s determination has led to the successful execution of over 40 installations, valued at just over £1 million as of September 2023. He identifies locations that could benefit from cinema rooms, secures sponsorships from various industry sources, and collaborates with installation partners to bring these cinema rooms to fruition. Despite having directors that support him with the day-to-day operations, Morrish is the driving force behind Together for Cinema. His commitment and efforts have united the AV industry.making a significant impact on the lives of those in need.
Althea Ricketts, vice president, corporate initiatives, Shure
As VP of corporate initiatives at Shure, Althea works directly with the CEO/president on global company-wide initiatives, currently overseeing Shure’s sustainability and inclusion, diversity, equity and access initiatives. She also heads up the programme management office.
With over 30 years of experience in audio, she spent the majority of that time in global marketing and sales. Althea’s core competencies include executive presence, senior management, inclusion advocacy, sustainability best practices, change management, business process optimisation, sales and marketing, strategy creation, customer experience, mentorship, and SAP and Salesforce products.
Lotta Schiefer, global sales lead, Brompton Technology
With an impressive career spanning over 30 years, during which she has worked with global manufacturers such as Barco, Vari*Lite and Wireless Solutions, Schiefer has a wealth of industry knowledge and experience. She is utilising her expertise to further lead the company’s sales team in its mission to provide top level service to Brompton customers.
Having started out as a lighting technician, she transitioned to more commercial and organisational positions in sales, business development, and people management. She held the role of operations manager for broadcast and technical services at the Royal Swedish Opera, establishing a broadcast service that delivered regular performances during the pandemic.
Roman Sick, CEO, Holoplot
Roman Sick had to deploy exceptional vision, unwavering dedication, and relentless drive to create Holoplot’s groundbreaking loudspeaker system. His belief in pushing the boundaries of conventional design and implementation has led to the development of a “revolutionary” technology that some believe will leave a lasting mark on the pro audio industry.
Sick’s commitment to innovation became evident when Holoplot caught the attention of MSG, owner of The Sphere in Las Vegas. MSG decided that the Holoplot system was the only one capable of fulfilling its vision for the venue.
His relentless pursuit of excellence and willingness to challenge established norms are, arguably, paving the way for a new era in audio technology.
Ben Whiteside-Oram, head of infrastructure, Gymshark
In his leadership role, Ben Whiteside-Oram oversees the technical team and budgets at Gymshark, showcasing his management skills and extensive knowledge of AV and networking. Whiteside-Oram has been instrumental in designing, implementing, and managing Gymshark’s AV systems, displaying a deep understanding of the latest technology and its integration into the company’s infrastructure. His strategic approach ensures that AV systems meet current needs at Gymshark’s headquarters and retail stores, and pave the way for future advancements.
Beyond AV, he has successfully managed property systems, CCTV, access control, and footfall counting initiatives, demonstrating a holistic approach to infrastructure management and versatility in navigating modern business requirements.
His rapid ascent in the AV industry attests to his comprehensive skill set, and versatility and proficiency in all aspects of projects and organisational delivery, from negotiating contracts to seamlessly handling complex technology.
Whiteside-Oram ‘s leadership shines through in technology solutions projects, showcasing an ability to navigate project intricacies and provide strategic guidance. His holistic approach to AV projects, coupled with a deep understanding of both technical and business aspects, positions him as a valuable asset to the industry.
Rik Willemse, head of professional displays and solutions, Sony Europe
Willemse was previously head of sales for professional displays and solutions Europe, and has a long 20-year history within the company in various marketing, sales, business development and regional management roles.
According to Sony, he has the knowledge and experience to drive the division forward into a new era, and to connect customers with Sony’s best products and solutions; further cementing the company’s position as the “preferred partner” for solutions and partnerships, whilst helping boost continued growth of the business group and development of innovative solutions across the corporate, education and retail markets.
Boasting a strong commercial focus, Willemse has a track record in profitable growth results, and proven leadership skills in building teams, and developing and implementing business plans.
