Initially, we started with 1 man and no van. But things grew quickly! Absolute was designed as a solutions provider with a focus on customer service. NOT just another service company. Throughout our first few months, we were primarily hiring Plasma screens to exhibition stand contractors, coupled with a few small conferences within the Cambridge colleges. In June of 2006, we purchased a small local video company giving us large amount of equipment to add into stock, along with a loyal local client base to develop. Over the next 15 years, we built a fantastic company based upon our core values of “Nice guys, great kit, give a sh*t" We're a team who really care about the end result. We want to delight our event clients every time. We have built great range of AV equipment across all disciplines, built a wonderful team of 45 people, own a fleet of 15 vehicles, and in 2019 moved into our purpose built 20,000 sqft warehouse and office complex. We work locally, nationally and internationally primarily on corporate events of all shapes and sizes, with an occasional Rock n’ Roll show for good measure. Services include equipment supply, pre production planning and consultancy, and onsite logistics.Most importantly, we’ve managed to survive the Covid shutdown of our industry, and are still very much here and ready to go.

2020 marked the launch of the APG (Absolute Production Group), bringing together 3 independent companies all under one ownership to offer complimentary services to the live events sector. AP LIVE was conceived to ‘plug the gaps’ in event services where we were previously not able to offer in house solutions. Our clients often wanted a 360-degree, end-to end event support from a team they trusted. The company offers a full range of services to compliment our technical production and scenic / exhibition businesses, giving clients a one stop shop and single point of contact for all their event needs. Our event services can be grouped in the following four categories: PLANNING: Brief Creation; System & Process Management; Logistics; Supplier & Crew Management; Production, Venue Consultancy & Sourcing, Attendee Management, Speaker Services, Delegate Management, Entertainment Management.CREATIVE: Concept Design & Development; Event Journey Design; Graphic Design; 3D Design; Event Branding & Assets; Content Management; Video Production; Animation; EditingCONSULTANCY: Objective Exploration; Competitor analysis; Agenda Mapping; Industry & Event Insights; KPIs and measuring success; Venue Consultancy & Sourcing; Catering consultancy; Advisory meetings; Post event evaluation.TECHNICAL: Virtual & Hybrid Broadcast Solutions; Production Management; Technical Direction; Site Planning; Full Audio-Visual Design & Installation; Scenic Construction; Rigging Planning; Power Specifications & Distribution; Projection & Presentation Tools; IT & Communications; AR, VR & Social Integration; Show Calling & Stage Management; Special Effects; Backline Supply

DG designs, builds and installs exhibition stands, printed graphics and scenic for B2B clients. Travelling throughout Europe and beyond, the company offers both 'consultancy' and 'end-product' depending on your needs. The company was acquired by Absolute in January 2018, to support growing demand for 'scenic and graphics' services for the live corporate events market. Since then, it has gone from strength to strength continuing to build on its own client base in the exhibition sector, as well as supporting other group based businesses. Prior to Covid, we had increased the company turnover by 40% and built a new management and design team, and are awaiting the installation of a new CNC machine. As the industry starts to reopen, our core team have been back at work since the end of July building stands to be installed from September 2021 onwards.

Initially Absolute was employed by Advertising Week as the technical production partner for their networking space at Cannes Lions, prior to supporting them with the first Advertising Week Europe event in 2013. What started as a concept of a couple of days of seminars and a dinner, grew into 4 days of 6 stages running simultaneously with over 200 presentations, plus a daily lunch and breakfast series of events, opening and closing gala, 2 concerts with named talent, an awards show and comedy night. Logistically challenging, but full of energy! As Advertising Week built their brand, new events were launched globally, and they asked me support them on co-ordinating the production, help them build a supply chain in each territory, along with identifying the right spaces for their individual events. Much like the London and New York shows, these events are based around 'thought leadership' by day and 'showbiz' by night.Since 2016, we have now branched out and deliver annual events in Mexico City, Sydney, Tokyo and due to launch in South Africa next.

Cheyney Estates owns and operates a 40,000 sqft multi tenanted office space just outside of Royston in Hertfordshire. My role here is to oversee the operations of the building including ongoing maintenance schedule ensuring we remain compliant, and managing pre planned and emergency remedial maintenance work.

Starting initially as the drum tech for the band working on a number of summer festivals each year, before eventually taking a permanent position with the band in August 2000. With my previous experience gained as an audio tech and rounded production knowledge, on my first tour I was awarded the additional role of stage manager. I worked with band for several stints touring throughout the next few years on a global level, and gained a huge amount of experience around fitting in large scale productions into constantly changing venue shapes and sizes. With Absolute starting in 2006, I left the permanent position but remained in close contact and continued to work with the band on a large number of the summer festivals for the next few years and stored all the European equipment with the Absolute warehouse.

I returned to Cambridge AV after a stint travelling and working back within the music industry in a new role as Hire Manager. This included looking after a team of 5 technicians, scheduling resource, undertaking site surveys and preparing quotations.

I joined Cambridge AV as part of the rental team, to broaden my knowledge of technology and gain new experience in the corporate events sector. The role primarily involved the preparation of equipment in the warehouse, deliveries and collections in and around Cambridge, and onsite technical support. The company had a varied range of equipment across all disciplines including Audio, Video/Projection and Lighting. Later into the role, I supported the management team undertaking surveys and advising on equipment specifications for future jobs.

Initially started as a warehouse operative, maintaining the stock of over 400 loudspeakers for major concert tours from the US and UK client base. Progressed to the role of audio systems tech setting up sound systems for touring artists throughout Europe. Including Def Leppard, Bush, Motorhead, Daft Punk, Kula Shaker, Saint Eteienne, The Orb, and Primal Scream. “A fantastic start to my career, and I was very privileged to have learnt from some of the greatest people in the industry”.