3LR Lighting has appointed Stuart West as Business Development Manager for Lighting, Control and Software.
West brings more than 25 years of entertainment production experience to the role, having enjoyed a varied career in technical theatre production, venue management and building operations.
Founded in 2019 by Matt Lloyd, 3LR is an architectural and broadcast lighting consultancy which works closely with ETC, Rosco and other leading professional lighting brands and provides expert advice on lighting in TV and film studios, auditoriums, cruise ships and public spaces.
“I’ve known Stuart for a very long time, and he has such a varied and unique skill set that the chance to bring him into 3LR was simply too good to miss. He has so much to offer our clients.”
West’s interest in lighting began in a childhood surrounded by entertainment production, thanks to his father’s work for the Scouts Association’s Gang Shows – work which often took him in and out of Northampton’s Derngate Theatre.
On leaving school, West completed a two-year apprenticeship at the Derngate, working closely alongside Chief Electrician and Lighting Designer, Kevin Roach. “He became my mentor,” he said. “I learned my lighting design skills through him, eventually programming and lighting his shows with him.”
After completing his apprenticeship, he worked as Deputy Chief Electrician at ATG’s then brand-new Milton Keynes Theatre, followed by a spell as Head of Lighting for the Chinese State Circus, touring its major big-top productions around Europe. Next, he became Head of Production & Projects at the newly built Cast in Doncaster, and then Technical Manager at Sheffield Theatres. When he returned to Northampton as Head of Lighting & Sound, during the £15m redevelopment to merge the Royal Theatre with its Derngate neighbour, he had come full circle. His experience also includes a varied freelance career covering theatre productions, television, touring, training and consultancy – as well as a strong relationship with cloud-based venue management software, YesPlan.
Developed in Belgium, YesPlan first came to West’s attention when it was adopted by Sheffield Theatres. Today, he is the UK’s leading expert on YesPlan, with which he helps arts and culture organisations to function more efficiently and productively. To date he has provided YesPlan implementation services to Chichester Festival Theatre, Nottingham Playhouse, Mayflower & MAST Southampton, Customs House in South Shields, Norwich Theatres and Brixton House.
West describes YesPlan’s effect on these organisations as “transformative”, adding: “It really helps them to think and operate in a more collaborative, communicative and joined-up way. It avoids the miscommunication and duplication of effort that organisations so often suffer with. It gives everyone access to the up-to-date information that teams need to know in order to deliver efficiently and effectively.”
As part of his business development role at 3LR Lighting, West will continue to offer YesPlan implementation services to organisations in the event production industry and beyond.
“I’m looking forward to working alongside Matt and 3LR’s varied projects and client base, and to bringing the benefits of YesPlan to the market sectors that 3LR represents,” said West.
“Matt and I have known each other for many years, from back when we were production electricians. When he created GDS, I became a regular user of GDS products in venues that I was working at or overseeing. I’m excited to bring my experience and skills into the mix.”