Peter Heath, managing director of the Professional Lighting and Sound Association (PLASA), has announced his retirement. He will remain in the position until a replacement is found and intends to continue representing the association through the #WeMakeEvents campaign as well as in a consultancy role following his retirement.
Since joining in 2016, Peter has helped transform PLASA’s perception within the industry, making it more approachable and collaborative while also strengthening its financial position alongside the executive team, the managing governing body (MGB) and the association’s staff.
Over the last decade as managing director, Peter has overseen major developments for the association, including the successful relocation of the PLASA Show from ExCeL London to Olympia. He also guided the organisation through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, playing an active role in supporting the industry and backing the #WeMakeEvents campaign. Alongside his work at PLASA, Peter has contributed to the industry as a trustee of Backup Tech and through regular participation in events such as BikeFest, activities he plans to continue.
With a professional career spanning more than 35 years, prior to joining PLASA, Peter held senior positions at Roland Corporation, eventually becoming head of Pro AV for Europe.
Reflecting on his time at PLASA, Peter comments: Leading PLASA has been a real privilege as well as a challenge. From the outside, PLASA may seem like a straightforward organisation, but in reality it is a highly diverse entity covering many areas of the industry and requiring a strong team to make it work. The current PLASA team absolutely delivers on that. I have always focused on working together and expanding our collaborative efforts and reach; this is more important than ever if we are to achieve proper understanding and recognition from governments. I recognise that all journeys come to an end and mine is no exception. I have truly enjoyed learning and helping shape the organisation. Our members are at the core of everything PLASA does and they form a diverse group that makes all the effort worthwhile.
Matt Lloyd, chair of the PLASA board, adds: “I would like to take this opportunity to thank Peter for his energy, dedication and humility during his time as managing director of PLASA. I was already on the board when Peter was appointed during a difficult period for PLASA, both financially and in terms of reputation; we were in a very challenging situation. It is fair to say that Peter faced that challenge head-on with the determination that characterises him so well”.
He continues: “Around 2018, we joked that we needed to wear hard hats when speaking to people in the industry in case they wanted to throw something at us. Since then, Peter has developed and led the team to achieve the strongest financial position in PLASA’s history, enabling us to carry out a record amount of work in support of the industry. I hope Peter can look back on everything achieved and feel proud of how he helped restore PLASA, supported by an outstanding team and board. We wish him all the best in this new chapter”.
The bonds and relationships built during my time here will stay with me for the rest of my life and I hope to remain connected whenever possible. Thank you to the staff, the executive board, the MGB, the members, other associations and everyone who supported my efforts. It has been a fantastic decade, concludes Peter.
In addition to continuing consultancy work and his involvement with Backup Tech, Peter plans to dedicate his retirement to “making more music, playing more golf and spending more time with family and grandchildren”.
