Adam has been involved in delivering well over 600 AV projects, including work on 15 new buildings, ranging from ‘standard’ technology refreshes to innovative projects to change the way teaching and learning is delivered to students.

Adam is an active member of the AV industry via various groups and organisations. Adam is one of the Learning and Teaching Spaces Managers Group (LTSMG) Exec Team, an education sector focused end user organisation. He also sits on a national Technical Advisor Group for an AV Framework Procurement Agreement and has acted as an AV Awards Judge for the last three years. 

Having worked at Harrods for nearly 20 years, Alex oversaw the transformation of traditional media formats, into a digital screen network. In recent times the network has evolved to incorporate the latest in digital screen technology, signal distribution and content management software. This evolution will continue as the retail landscape changes and the demand for ever more enhanced customer experiences increases.

As a Principal with San Francisco-headquartered technology consultancy TEECOM, Blair has achieved renown for more than thirty years working with technology in public spaces and leads TEECOM’s EMEA practice and the cultural sector worldwide. Based in Brighton, UK, his current assignments include the West Kowloon Cultural District in Hong Kong, multiple pavilions for Expo 2020, Dubai, and the new National Museum of Jordan.

Blair’s passion is leveraging new technology, the network, and the built environment to innovate transformative spaces encompassing museum exhibit galleries, new corporate workspaces, and first-of-their-kind theatres and planetarium – working with clients ranging from Bloomberg and The British Museum to GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and Procter & Gamble. 

I’m really pleased to have been invited to be on the AV Awards judging panel again this year. It’s a great opportunity to meet with colleagues, both new and old, from all areas of the AV community.

The broad spectrum of projects submitted and diverse ways that AV is used across so many businesses makes the judging challenging, educational and informative. I look forward to seeing some amazing and engaging submissions that set new standards for the industry in this year’s entries.

Caroline has been instrumental in the creation and development of the AV strategy and provision at Imperial College London for the last 16 years. The service covers a wide range of AV installations from individual wall-mounted screens to large capital projects such as the fit-out at the College’s new campus at White City.

Keeping in touch with the external AV environment, along with being a panel judge for the AV Awards for many years, helps Caroline maintain her knowledge of the AV market and state of the art working practices.

As Technical Director at Jack Morton, Chris has a wealth of experience in all aspects of the technical delivery of live events. He has worked with numerous leading brands on everything from cutting edge technology solutions, through global events in challenging environments, to major public events. Chris is passionate about new technology and leads the technical department at Jack Morton with an emphasis on applying the very latest thinking to projects.

Christian is the Managing Director of the UK arm of Macom GmbH (UK) Europe’s largest Audio Visual Technology consultancy. Christian is passion is for deploying the correct technology in a structured and quality manner to change the way business works. His focus is on strategic planning to help clients leverage the performance benefits of new technologies.

Christian’s career in the Audio visual industry started in 1999 in Australia where he worked for Satellite Music Australia providing the latest music via satellite across the country. Since returning to the UK Christian worked for some of the world’s largest AV systems integrators in all areas of the industry including design, delivery, project management and business development. Christian has worked on some of the most prestigious Audio visual and collaboration projects around the world including many award winning projects for many different types of companies in many different sectors such as Fidelity International, Telefonica, BP, Deloitte, KMPG, Rolls Royce, Shell, Clifford Chance, Hachette, Wipro, Atos and The WHO.

Working on projects around the world including major projects in America, Australia, Canada, Africa, Korea, Singapore and Russia and Europe Christian has unrivalled knowledge of the construction and contractual processes in AV and construction both on and off shore. Christian specialises in deliveries to difficult and remote locations, global role outs and developing clients Strategic approach to AV.

Colin has been with Futuresource Consulting for over 24 years, he has been involved with the interactive displays and schools markets on a day-to-day basis for over sixteen years and runs the worldwide interactivity displays research programmes. Much of Colin’s work has involved providing strategic input for companies planning their future direction within the education sector, drawing on his in-depth understanding of the industry. He was a member of the UK Government’s DfES, Classroom of the Future Project (Ingenium) and he has been an AV Awards judge over the last 14 years. He is a STEM Ambassador, where he visits schools enthusing on careers in science and technology. He is governor of a London school and acts as a strategic partner for their IT vision plan.

Dan Crompton started his AV career in 1981 as AV technician for the Architectural Association in London.

Since those early days he has been an avid reader of AV magazine, tracking the huge changes in the industry we have seen over that time.

From there Dan has followed a varied career, providing technical support for events and installing AV within exhibitions at prominent galleries across the globe, as well as a parallel career in music production and performance. Now AV Service Manager for Tate Galleries, he is putting this background in gallery installation and arts events to good use.

David is Managing Director of the International Technology Practice Recursive which he formed in 2012 after 14 years experience in the fields of Audiovisual, Multimedia and Acoustics. He has previously worked internationally for companies such as Shen, Milsom & Wilke covering large scale global projects from their London office with specific focus on the Middle East. His previous experience includes leading olympic venues, historical spaces, multipurpose venues, lecture theatres and leading educational facilities, performance arts venues, art galleries, corporate HQ’s, campuses, shopping malls and luxury hotels.

David holds a BSc and PGDip in Acoustics and professionally is a member of the Institute of Acoustics (IOA) and the Institution of Engineering and Technology (MIET). He is also a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.

David Willrich is the founder and owner of D J Willrich Ltd a UK based company. DJW has over 32 years experience in designing and installing Audio Visual, Lighting and Show Control systems for the Heritage and Themed Entertainment industry throughout the World. Projects vary in size and scope from Museums to Theme Parks around the world. DJW have worked on national, government projects and for leading organisation in many countries. David feels privileged to be the Immediate Past President of the TEA.

Deborah Jones MBA has a career, working in the Events Industry and is currently AV/IT sales at the Queen Elizabeth II Centre, planning and managing the technical aspects of the Centre’s client portfolio. Previously she worked for the commercial arm of a charity organisation, The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, where she established an events unit, organising conferences, selling exhibition space, seminars, awards ceremonies and gala dinners and ran their publications, commissioning, editing, publishing and selling their book list. Deborah has also worked in events for the publisher Macmillan.

Deborah Jones CTS has been an AVIXA member for more than 10 years and is a member of the AVIXA Diversity Council and AVIXA Women. She is also a director for the AV User Group which has recently opened a San Jose group in California and has groups in Scotland, Hong Kong, New York also.

Emma Bigg runs her own consultancy, Octavius RE, advising a range of clients on AV solutions and project manages her own and other Integrator’s installation projects. Previously she held various roles at SSE Audio Group starting in their hire business in 1999 and setting up their London-based Installations Division in 2006, which she headed up as Installations Director until 2016. Other roles include Technical Production Manager for George P Johnson. She sat on the Production Services Association Council for 4 years, also serving as Chairwoman for one year. She currently sits on the IOA EA Group Committee and helps organize their annual Reproduced Sound conference.

Highly experienced technologist who is a versatile and focused individual. As a leading technical authority, technology visionary and systems architect in the field of data visualisation, providing guidance in mapping the right technology to a client’s workflow and process that provides unification of communications and workflow with seamlessly integrated solutions to enhance productivity and ease of work.

Providing knowledge transfer to own industry peers as a recognized AVIXA InfoComm instructor on digital infrastructure with the aim to provide a ubiquitous network infrastructure to support AVoIP, PCoIP Technologies, and HyperV technologies as well as virtualization and high-performance CGI

As an IT professional, with over 15 years of enterprise AV experience, Gareth's most recent role as a global product manager for Barclays focused on improving the cost and performance of collaboration technologies, while closely managing the needs and expectations of users.

He spends most of his time working with cross functional IT teams, and business stakeholders, to understand how new products and vendors can be leveraged to improve quality, automate services, and simplify user experience.

Gareth has recently joined the Multimedia team at JP Morgan where he leads EMEA Operations, and is helping to drive service innovation.

Gary is part of the AV management team at Google, with a particular focus on building relationships with the AV community. Gary has over 25 years of AV experience - as a corporate customer, systems integrator, and manufacturer.

With over 20 years in the AV industry, Jerry has recently joined the AV team at MiX Consultancy.

Coming previously from a Pro Audio and sound engineering background, Jerry has a gained a wide range of experience in AV, including system design, programming, commissioning and project management, initially as a systems integrator, and the last 9 years as a consultant.

His current position builds on a wealth of experience in strategic planning, technical design and implementation management of many large scale innovative and prestigious projects both in the UK and worldwide.

Balancing meticulous attention to detail without losing sight of the experience of the end user, Jerry is keen to ensure that the audiovisual industry continues to show its worth by innovation and high standards.

Jim Smith, AECOMs Electro-Acoustic Lead, is a Chartered Engineer with over 20 years acoustic consultancy experience. He holds a BEng in Electroacoustics with Professional Experience awarded by the University of Salford in 1994.

Throughout his professional career Jim has been involved in many projects covering a diverse range of acoustic design, analysis and testing, including noise and vibration, building acoustics, environmental acoustics and industrial and occupational noise.

Over the past 15 years Jim has predominantly worked in the field of electro-acoustics and more specifically the design, specification, auditing and testing of Voice Alarms and Sound Systems for Emergency Purposes in difficult acoustic conditions. His work has primarily focused on systems for airports, rail stations (over-ground and underground), sports stadia and arenas both in the UK and internationally, including football and cricket World Cup stadia and Olympic stadia and arenas.

As an acoustician Jim often designs the acoustics of the space in conjunction with the design of the sound system to assist the sound system in meeting its performance criteria.

Jo has worked in the AV industry for over 20 years. Starting her career at Kodak in their Themed Entertainment division then moving to the cultural sector to deliver AV experiences for museums including the award winning First World War gallery at the Imperial War Museum. Jo now heads up a team of 25 technicians and engineers at the Science Museum. She is passionate about getting young women into STEM careers and feels it’s crucial to highlight what exciting and creative projects the AV industry has to offer for all. 

Jonathan currently heads up a technology products group within Deutsche Bank’s Regulatory, Compliance & Anti-financial Crime Technology division, focused on bringing the latest developments in data; storage, management and analytics to the field of digital records management, archiving and discovery. Prior to this role, he created and led the bank’s Unified Communications group, with responsibility for the strategic direction of real time communications and collaboration technology (including AV) and its place in the modern / digital workplace. His deep interest and passion for this space has continued and he remains actively involved in the evolution of the strategy in the bank and the communications and collaboration technology industry.

He has over 20 years corporate IT experience gained across a broad range of companies from small software houses to large ‘Blue Chip’ organisations in a diverse range of sectors including manufacturing, software, retail and media.

Prior to joining Deutsche Bank in 2005 Jonathan co-founded theITpractice, with two AV industry veterans; Simon Dudley and Jon Tracey. The technology consultancy focussed on the videoconferencing industry, providing strategy development advice to enterprise end users and manufacturers alike.

Kate is an BAFTA winning designer, creative director and founder of Kate Dawkins Studio. A studio specializing in creating and delivering bespoke content for live performances, shows and brand events, working across both projection and LED, indoor and outdoor.

Kate has over 24 years of unrivalled experience in designing and delivering distinctive visual content for some of the largest global brands, from the giant 360° ‘Audience pixels’ for the London 2012 Olympic Ceremonies, to Adidas, Samsung, Jaguar Land Rover, Elton John’s Las Vegas show and the beautiful World War One Remembered: Passchendaele.

She believes in creating stunning design-led visuals that engage and delight the audience. Applying logic to the problem, passion to the solution and a meticulous attention to the final outcome.

Saunders is an Academic Technologist with twenty-three years of experience in UK Higher Education operating at the nexus of IT-centric AV, UX / space design, digital futures and pedagogic innovation. As digital lead for the London College of Fashion, Saunders is currently developing the technology enhanced learning systems that will inhabit a striking newbuild campus development at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park – “I find I am drawn to surprisingly simple and elegant solutions that push at the fabric of what is possible to achieve, while at the same time masking the technical complexity underneath.”

15 years in the industry, starting in the high-end residential market, I worked on installation, commissioning and the design for custom projects across Europe. A passion for event technology, then led me into live events. As a Technical Producer I lead all technical aspects of our shows across operation, specification and design. Following this, I took the opportunity to become Facebook’s first EMEA based AV Deployment Engineer. Merging the experience and skills I had learned across the install and live event markets I am now responsible for a talented team of engineers delivering large-scale broadcast event spaces and studios across EMEA and APAC.

I am responsible for the overall management of the department and associated contractors, as well as the successful delivery of all shows throughout the building. I work closely with the Programming, Facilities and FOH team on a regular basis.

I studied at Chichester College and received a Dance and Drama Scholarship - not to dance, but to study Stage Management and Technical Theatre at Guildford School of Acting (University of Surrey). On graduating I toured with Spirit of the Dance for a few months, worked at the Yvonne Theatre (Guildford) The O2 Arena and the Excel.

I am now responsible for the overall deliver of 1400 events and the overall leadership of 40 full time and 130 casual staff here at the Royal Albert Hall.

Associate Architect at Sheppard Robson for the past 8 years specialising in complex occupier lead schemes in the workplace sector from initial concept design and complex planning applications, through to detail and specification development, on-site construction and completion. Most recent projects include the recently completed new Deloitte HQ at 1 New Street Square and BBC Northern Ireland redevelopment in Belfast. Previous experience on a wide range of large-scale projects within the office, education, healthcare and urban regeneration sectors provide considerable knowledge in working with BIM software across all stages coordinating with consultants and contractors throughout the design and construction phases.

I have worked in AV for over 20 years in a variety of roles; from sound engineer to IT/AV support and researcher, and in a variety of industries; from broadcast to Higher Education.

Presently, and for the last 12 years, I have worked in Higher Education, where I have been working as Technician, then site supervisor and currently as AV technical Lead. My main areas of expertise are audio, acoustics, IT support and AV services in higher education.

My current job at King's College London is about recommending technologies, with strong focus on innovation, whilst keeping the AV standards up to date and in resonance with international organisations.

Sanj is an award winning multi-disciplined Digital Atelier with over twenty years of experience within the music, fashion and luxury industries. London-based Sanj has been working within digital and technology since 1998. He has seen the cultural shift in human habit and behaviour as we all evolve into digital consumers. Some of his successes have been burgeoning, ground breaking and, more importantly, culturally relevant.

Working within the IT/AV industry for over 25 years with various large corporates across several different sectors. The last 10 years working for large financials in an engineering/architecture capacity.

Currently working for UBS as a solutions architect on digital signage and video projects. Specialising in projects within unified communications, collaboration, control, signage and video. Many years of experience designing and deploying A/V solutions within large Global enterprises.

Tupac Martir is the founder and creative director of Satore Studio and Satore Tech, a globally recognised multidisciplinary art and creative studio where he leads a team of collaborative and in-house tech, development design, art and sensory talent that creates compelling and immersive experiences from concept to delivery. Tupac obtained his BFA from Creighton University and during his career he has evolved as multimedia artist providing production design, visuals and lighting direction in performance, fashion, music and art.

Greg is a specialist consultant and writer on projection and displays, meeting room lighting and VC lighting, plus related standards. He is a director of Visual Displays. Greg was Chairman of AVIXA (InfoComm) in 2012, serving on the board for seven years. He was a lead writer on the ANSI/AVIXA ‘PISCR’ projected image quality standard, moderator of the recent DISCAS (image size, resolution, viewing position) standard and is working on AVIXA’s new AV User UX (User Experience) standard. He teaches and presents internationally, and remains an enthusiastic volunteer with AVIXA. He has several children and his hobbies include teasing them.

Richard has over thirty years experience in designing, building, commissioning and operating audio, video and lighting systems. His work covers a wide range of projects from stadium audio to corporate video conferencing suites to interactive visitor attractions. His work is known worldwide, and he has a reputation for being able to deal with the most technically complex projects. Following a lot of work on large-scale voice alarm systems Richard has sat on British Standards committees helping to develop the next generation of standards. His passion is network connectivity and interoperability.