Rise AV, the UK advocacy group championing gender diversity and professional development in the AV sector, has launched the Elevate Programme, a leadership accelerator designed to fast-track the careers of mid-level women professionals working in AV, residential AV, and live events sectors.
Following the inaugural Rise AV mentoring programme, the Elevate Programme marks the next strategic step in empowering women to take on senior leadership roles across the AV industry.
Running from October to December 2025, this intensive six-week hybrid programme blends virtual and in-person sessions, real-world leadership challenges, and group mentorship from senior AV leaders. Limited to 35 delegates across the UK, the Elevate Programme is designed for women currently in management roles, managing teams and aspiring to transition into senior roles.
Whether in engineering, marketing, sales, project management, HR, finance, consulting, or events production, all women in the AV ecosystem are encouraged to apply. Applications are welcome from individuals or their employers.
Rise AV announced the details of the programme:
- Expert-led development: Training in areas such as leading with strength, P&L ownership, motivating teams, and navigating ambiguity.
- Real-world group challenges: Apply knowledge to solve relevant AV business issues.
- Executive mentoring: Gain personalised insight from experienced AV professionals.
- Networking opportunities: Build lasting industry connections and career allies.
- Flexible format: Designed to work around demanding schedules with a blend of virtual and in-person components.
Rise AV has valued the programme at over £3,000, but it is offered at subsidised rates thanks to Rise AV’s partners and sponsors. Fees range from £195 to £995, depending on organisation size.
Gold sponsors include Audiologic, Diversified and Midwich. Silver Sponsors, AV User Group, Shure, Epson, iiyama and Yorktel and bronze sponsors include Faye Bennett Consultancy Services, LTSMG, Unicol, Nuvias UC, Uniguest, Peerless AV, Hewshott, Exertis, Kinly, proAV and Woop Jobs!.
Rachael Hamilton, managing director of Rise AV, said: “We are building something truly transformational, not just for the women who participate, but for the businesses they will go on to lead, and the AV industry they will help redefine. Women make up just 9 percent of the global AV workforce, and only 2 percent hold technical roles. By 2026, our industry faces a shortfall of 2.3m skilled workers, yet we’re leaking talent faster than we can fill the pipeline. That’s not a talent problem. It’s a system problem.”
She added: “Women are leaving male-dominated industries three times faster than men, not because they aren’t capable, but because outdated policies, unequal pay, underinvestment in development, and a lack of visible role models continue to drive them out. Until we fix these structural issues, AV won’t be seen as an industry where women can thrive, and we won’t attract the diverse, skilled talent we so urgently need.
“Inspiring the next generation is important, but it’s not enough if the culture they enter hasn’t changed. The glass ceiling in AV is still very real. The Elevate Programme is how we help women break through it. It’s how we stop the leaks and build a stronger, more sustainable future — one that retains, develops, and elevates the women already here, while also making this industry more appealing to those who’ve never seen themselves in it.”
Hamilton concluded: “This isn’t just about gender equity. It’s about better business. Diverse leadership drives innovation, boosts performance, and makes companies more attractive to top talent. I urge organisations to nominate their rising stars, step forward as sponsors or mentors, and be part of the systemic change we all benefit from. The Elevates Programme isn’t just an initiative, it’s a blueprint for a smarter, stronger, more inclusive AV industry.”
Applications are open until 31 July 2025, with selections notified in early August. To learn more and apply, click here:
For the full agenda, visit here:
