A Celebration for Stage Technologies

2009 has been a landmark year for Stage Technologies and the 16th year since its formation by John Hastie and Mark Ager. This year the company received The Queen's Awards for Enterprise: International Trade for the second time, the first occasion being in 2003 in the same category for its ‘outstanding international trade performance’.

The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise are the UK's most prestigious awards for business performance, rewarding outstanding achievement by UK companies, and they are widely recognized throughout the world. The Awards are announced each year by The Queen, on the advice of the Prime Minister, who is assisted by an Advisory Committee that includes representatives of Government, industry and commerce, and the trade unions.

On 26th June, Stage Technologies opened its doors to several key suppliers and partners in the industry to celebrate this award along with staff, all of whom have worked so hard and with such commitment to make the company a success. A commemorative bowl and Grant of Appointment was presented by Mei Sim Lai OBE DL, Representative Deputy Lieutenant of the Queen for the London Borough of Brent. Sarah Teather, MP for Brent, also came to show support for the company, which contributes to the local economy and encourages students through work experience placements and internships.

Sir Eric Peacock, Chairman of Stage Technologies and Mark Ager, Founder and Managing Director, both said a few words to thank the Queen and her representative as well as the “hugely talented and diverse range” of colleagues both present at the ceremony and currently away working on installations around the globe, on behalf of whom it was a “great privilege” to receive the award.

“I am very lucky,” observed Mark, “that part of my role over the last 15 years is to have travelled the world, witnessing at close hand engineering from many other countries, and there is no doubt in my mind the UK has, and continues to produce, innovative products to rival all comers. It is also clear, from the long list of firsts for the UK that have failed in the market, that innovation alone is not the answer. Excellence in delivery of that innovation is the key to success. Against this background it is a great encouragement to win this award.”

“When we won our first Queen’s Award,” he concluded, “I remember arriving to work the following Monday to be asked, ‘What are we going to do to win the second’. I’m sure that the question that will greet me this Monday will be, ‘How are we going to win the next one?’”

Never forgetting its roots in the West End of London, Stage Technologies is now a prominent world leader in pioneering automation technology in live performance industries across the world, providing engineering solutions to the entertainment world using a blend of mechanical, electrical, electronic and software expertise. The company’s state-of-the-art technology was originally showcased with major productions including 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang', 'Mary Poppins' and ’Miss Saigon’. Its scope of projects now covers the fullest range of automation applications from simple, single-axis control to whole-house installations, providing theatre rental equipment and support to multipurpose venues, opera houses, film and TV studios, casino show rooms, schools, churches, corporate events, touring shows and cruise ships. The Queen’s Award is an independently-judged recognition of this success and the steps that Stage Technologies has taken, and continues to take, to innovate, adapt and sustain its business and support the entertainment arts not just in the UK but across the globe.