Profession:
Marketing director, Sound Technology plc.

Date & place of birth:
September 20 1973; Epsom, Surrey, UK.

Your first job after full-time education?
I started out as marketing assistant at Roland UK. Being a keyboard player, it was my ideal first job.

How did you get into the world of audio?
I studied business at university but music was my passion. I wrote to every advertiser in Sound On Sound magazine and from that got the position at Roland. I joined Sound Technology 12 years ago.

Sound Technology recently took over the distribution of Harman’s pro audio brands in the UK and Ireland, and yet people regard your company as an MI resource. Do the same business rules apply to both sectors?
As a distributor, our job is pretty simple: understand what our customers want and make sure we deliver it. The routes to market, requirements and cultures of every sector are, of course, different but with the same underlying philosophy we aim to service them all. We didn’t just buy the distribution rights, we bought the whole distribution company, mindful that the knowledge and experience of the people within it is vital.

Do you think this acquisition will influence greater fusion between the pro and MI worlds?
I doubt we have that kind of influence!

Is your pro audio portfolio likely to expand further?
I think we’ve done enough expanding for the time being! We believe our portfolio now contains just about everything we need to put together a compelling offer into each sector.

If you could choose only one trade show to attend annually, which would it be?
Well, I must say I’m looking forward to PLASA this year. There’s been a lot of talk regarding the Harman acquisition so it will be good to be seen out there doing the business. Then again, the NAMM Show in California is a nice place to be in January.

Is there room for a different kind of trade show?
There are many trade shows that could be seen as appropriate for us given our breadth of products. Within the usual budget constraints we aim to strike a balance between the large showcase events and the smaller targeted shows. In the MI sector, the new London International Music Show has effectively combined three shows into one which, given our wide portfolio, definitely works for us. An all-encompassing UK show — incorporating pro and MI sectors — would be very interesting but I’m not sure we’ll see it any time soon.

What have been the major highlights of your career?
I product managed Emagic Logic software in the UK for a number of years. It was a very exciting time with an incredible pace of software DSP development where Logic grew from a niche product to the market leader. Right now, the speed with which the Harman buyout has catapulted us into new markets is an exciting challenge. I’ll tell you in a few years’ time if it turns out to be a highlight!

What occupies your free time?
My family are my number one priority. I have a two year old daughter, with another on the way. I also write music and play in bands for local theatre companies. I’m currently in final rehearsals for a live production of The War Of The Worlds that’s performing at the outdoor Minack Theatre in Cornwall this month.
    Sadly, I follow non-league football and am one of the literally tens of supporters of Sutton United. I was there running on to the pitch when we beat Coventry City 2-1 in the F.A. Cup 3rd round in 1989... what do you mean hanging on to former glories?

Your ‘Desert Island Disc’?
Stevie Wonder’s ‘Love’s In Need Of Love Today’.

What was the first gig you attended?
That would be U2’s Zoo TV at Wembley Stadium [August 1993] — it was absolutely mind blowing.

What would be your advice to a teenage Ian Cullen?
Luminous socks are definitely not cool. I still have nightmares.