Martin is Essential's Managing Director & Financial Director. He devotes much of his time to lighting design and is closely involved in a wide range of Essential's full-service projects. He enjoys the creative challenge of lighting projects and heading up a dynamic team of directors.

Having worked in theatre until 1987, Martin moved into the lighting hire industry, working within several of the major equipment rental companies of the time, and ultimately as Rental Manager at Key Light in the early '90s.

From this specialisation in the conference and corporate market, he spent two years working in a lighting design partnership before joining Essential in 1993 to establish our full service division with Tony Hall.

Martin is a specialist in moving light technology having developed Essential's leading capability in this area. We currently hold over 1000 moving units with associated control equipment. He has also contributed to the development of Radio DMX systems and manages our WYSIWYG pre-programming suite.

He started in lighting in 1984 working on the design and development of the ‘Starlite’- the first European moving yoke lamp. Since then he has gained extensive experience touring worldwide, working as a designer and programmer.

He joined Essential in autumn 1997 and contributes substantial technical expertise keeping us at the leading edge of lighting technology.

In 2005, Martin also took on responsibility for the new Essential Hire Team.

Pete is in day to day charge of operations at Essential. With over 20 years of experience in lighting, it is his role to ensure the efficiency and quality of our service.

He started in the business in the early '80s working on world wide arena tours. He became a lighting crew chief, eventually progressing to the design and project management of shows.

Pete joined Essential in 1997 and plays a key role in enabling us to service the ever expanding demand from freelance lighting designers.

Pete is responsible for reviewing Essential’s procedures to establish a culture of constant improvement to our systems. He also manages the instigation of new processes where necessary to ensure that Essential maintains its reputation as market leader in providing efficient and reliable customer service.

After studying Business Administration in Canada, Pete started his lighting career in Cambridge in 1985 with Starlight. In 1990, after a year of freelance work he joined Fisher Productions as Director of Lighting. During his time there he gained considerable knowledge of the corporate events market and the challenges associated with a growing business.

In 2000 he became General Manager of Lighting Hire Limited . Pete joined us at Essential in 2005 as Process Development Director, when Lighting Hire integrated with Essential's hire operations.

Stephen joined Essential Lighting in February 2007 as Sales & Business Development Manager and became Sales Director in January 2008.

Stephen has a range of sales and account management experience gained whilst running his own telecommunications business for 5 years, and later as a business development consultant in the financial services industry.

Stephen has joined Essential to help ensure that in addition to the specialist expertise our hire managers and lighting designers already provide, customers receive all the non-technical support, services and assistance they may require, at any stage of a project or pitch.

John joined Essential in July 2008 as Director of the Full Service Division and brings with him a wealth of industry, project and management experience gained during 10 years as a senior Project Manager at PRG Europe (previously Vari-Lite/VLPS).

John has project managed large and high profile assignments in sectors as diverse as Corporate, Industrial, Live Music and Television, including multiple Royal Tournaments, the opening ceremony of the Tate Modern, Jean Michel Jarre at The Acropolis, countless Motor Shows in Europe and the US, and TV shows such as 'Stars In Their Eyes' & 'Dancing On Ice'.

John has a BA (Hons) in English & History from Bath Spa University, and when not at work is kept busy by his two young children - but when he gets the time he enjoys 35mm photography, the great outdoors and reading tales of exploration and derring-do.

Tony is at the centre of Essential's lighting design team, working on all major projects and helping to develop new talent.

Tony started working on lighting fashion shows whilst qualifying as a Civil Engineer. However, by 1982 the lighting industry had claimed him and he started full time with Cerebrum Lighting. He built his industry reputation at Key Light developing special expertise in control systems.

After two years as a freelancer, Tony joined Essential in 1993 setting up the Full Service division with Martin Locket.

Neil joins Essential with considerable lighting experience. Having graduated from Sussex University in 2000 with a degree in Theatre Design, he went on to work as a Lighting Designer for the following seven years both as a freelancer and for Midnight Design and PSL. Neil also worked as Project Manager for Chameleon Touring Systems in Sydney from where he travelled the world – also managing to fit in a stint at a Wildlife Sanctuary in Bolivia where he did voluntary work for 6 months!

Neil joined Essential in February 2008 as Lighting Designer/Project Manager

Mark joined Essential as a Project Manager and Lighting Designer in 2001.

He brought a huge amount of experience to his role at Essential having spent 15 years in the Corporate Events Market - the last 12 as the Lighting Director of a major Events Organiser.

Having been involved in major lighting projects throughout the UK and Europe, his experience is an invaluable resource to the company's in-house design team.

Chris became consumed by the lighting industry whilst originally qualifying as a BSc in Computer Science at UWE, Bristol. He began his career as a Production Electrician for Storm Lighting where he worked for 3 years, before taking a Masters Degree in Lighting Design at the Central School of Speech and Drama.

When not lighting, Chris would admit to being happiest in the exploration of an uncharted sub tropical Andean Hillside or the cobbled streets of a timeless European hub.

David has been lighting events since his school years where he was involved with lighting productions for their Youth Theatre. In his gap year, he worked at a school for children with severe and profound learning difficulties for a year before going on to Leeds University.

David graduated in 2004 with a degree in Performance Design and Production after which he joined White Light's Corporate Production Dept in 2005 working as a Project Manager before joining Essential's Design Team as a Production Electrician.

Sandy joined Essential in 2002 working in the warehouse on the lamps bench and progressing to site engineer with the design team in 2004.

In 0ctober 2006, Sam joined our team of Site Engineers.

His history with the company began in 2003, when he started work as a warehouse technician preparing lights for hire.

In 2004 he joined the Moving Light Team, where he was taking care of control systems, media servers, radio DMX, LED's and automated fixtures, whilst developing his programming skills on a wide range of desks, and operating as our on site Space Cannon Technician.

Adam worked part time as sound and lighting crew whilst studying for his A levels at High School. He also designed 3 Theatre Tours for Youth Productions in Sussex, after which he made the decision to follow a career in Lighting, joining Essential to work in the Warehouse in February 2007. He has now joined the Full Service Team as a Site Engineer.

Cameron's interest in lighting began with a small DJ business he started whilst at school. Before going to university he took a gap year, living in Finland under the European Voluntary Services Scheme teaching drama and English in schools.

He graduated in 2008 with a Theatre Practice Production Lighting degree from the Central School of Speech and Drama. During his studies he has freelanced for a variety of lighting companies, as well as working on various events and West End shows.

Cameron joined Essential in September 2008 as a Site Engineer.

Dom began his career in the lighting industry in 1985, working for Entec Sound and Light as a Warehouse Manager, gaining experience through a broad range of shows for Rock & Roll, Television and the Corporate market.

Dom joined the Essential Team in 1998 bringing a wealth of experience, endless patience and the best laugh in the office, to his current role as Operations Manager.

Matt joined Essential Lighting in June 2001 as Operations Project Manager.

Matt began his career as Hire Manager at Midnight Design where he worked for 9 years. During this time he gained a wealth of experience about the industry which he brought to his new role at Essential where he has helped grow the 'systems' side of the business.

Loz joined Essential Lighting in June 2008 as part of the Project Management team. He has been involved with the live events industry since the age of 16.

Prior to joining Essential, Loz gained experience working at PRG Europe as a Project Manager, supporting projects for prestigious clients such as Audi, Lexus, Holiday Inn and Rolls Royce.

During his career he has also travelled the world as a Production Manager for P&O Cruises, looking after the lighting design aboard their cruise liners, which gained him a wealth of experience that he is able to bring to the team at Essential.

When not working, Loz enjoys golf, architecture, listening to music and is a keen follower of Brighton and Hove Albion football club.

Dave joined essential when the company was established in 1993, as a warehouse assistant, whilst studying for a qualification in Electrical Installation.

He spent five years in the warehouse helping to set up the procedures and good practice which have become our standard.

In 1998 Dave was promoted to Technical Administration Manager where he assists Martin Lubach within the Moving Light Department .

In September 2005 Dave became a Hire Manager for Essential Hire with special responsibility for technical products.

James Rose joined Lighting Hire in 2000 as a Warehouse Assistant whilst studying for a City & Guilds in Electrical Installation at Kingston College .

In 2004 James was promoted to Assistant Hire Manager for Lighting Hire and following its merger with Essential Lighting in 2005, became a Hire Manager on the new Essential Hire team.

John Pauls started in the Lighting Business in 1995 working for AFM Lighting as a Senior Account Handler in the Dry Hire department, supplying lighting to the Events, TV, Film and Photographic Industry.

John joined us at Essential Lighting in 2005 as a Hire Manager for the Essential Hire team.

Alison became Office Manager for Essential in 2002. It is the first serious job she has ever had, having spent countless years travelling the world, taking jobs as anything from a cocktail waitress to photographer's assistant. She brings with her a very dry sense of humour, a lovely singing voice, and an ability to bring order to chaos.

Having gained a degree in Literature from the University of London, Andrea worked in Marketing and Market Research before joining Essential in 2004.

She brings with her considerable experience in customer care, and an ability to organise our web site, our client entertainment, and us.

Suzy joined Essential in 2004 as the HR Manager.

She graduated with a degree in Commercial Interior Design before going on to qualify in HR . She came to Essential with 5 years experience of HR within the live events and entertainment industry both on a freelance and contract basis.