Executive Committee
The Executive (exec for short) deals with the day to day running of the Association, formulating policy for ratification by the members, fielding enquiries from members and managements, representing members on other bodies and committees, publishing the Association’s magazine and other publications, setting up members’ meetings, entertainment, classes and organising the membership and finances of the Association.
Further detailed work and projects is often carried out by specific Working Groups
Members of the Executive:
Richard Pilbrow | President
Richard is member #1 and helped to set up both the ALD and its forerunner, the Society of British Theatre Lighting Designers, in 1961.
Previously a chairman of the ALD, he now maintains his links and input into the association as its President.
Rick Fisher | Vice President
Rick is Vice President of the ALPD.
As a previous Chair of the Association, Rick now fulfils a more ceremonial role as Vice President promoting the work and benefits of the ALD and handing out the occasional award.
Johanna Town | Chair
Johanna is an elected director and board member until the 2026 AGM.
Having been a professional rep for a number of years, Johanna took over as ALD Chair in January 2018.
Mark Jonathan | Deputy Chair
Mark is an elected director and board member until the 2026 AGM.
A busy international lighting designer, Mark also acts as Deputy Chair, and writes a popular column in Focus each edition.
David Ayton | Professional Representative
David is an elected director and board member. He works as a programmer for theatre and opera, and a console trainer for ETC.
As the professional representative for those not working as designers - he is the point of contact for production electricians, programmers, technicians, touring crew, venue staff etc.
Lucy Carter | Professional Representative
Lucy is an elected director and board member. She is the point of contact for any professional or affiliate members that are working as designers.
She is also Chair of the Professional Working Practice working group which is responsible for developing documents to guide members and their clients in what to expect from each other.
Nick Moran | Treasurer
Nick is Treasurer.
He also acts as the Executive representative and head of the working group concerned with the education of future practitioners in both Higher and Further Education. He also sits on the board of Skillscene which aims to influence, promote and support the provision and uptake of high quality, industry relevant, continuing professional development for theatre workers.
Stuart Porter | Companies' Representative
Stuart is an elected director and board member until the 2021 AGM.
With over 25 years of experience in the industry, Stuart is company members' representative and acts as a contact point for all the Corporate, Commercial and Non-profit members of the ALD helping to connect them with our individual members to offer meetings, training and other benefits.
Kelli Zezulka | Editor of Focus Magazine
Kelli commissions, compiles and layouts each edition of Focus, the ALPD's in-house members' magazine. if you are interested in writing an article for Focus, you can contact her at editor@thealpd.org.uk
Iain Quinn | Meetings Team
Iain is an elected director and board member until the 2025 AGM.
He is currently part of the Meeting & Events team, helping to organise networking, training and social events for members.
Mark White | Member
Mark is an elected director and board member until the 2023 AGM.
He was Treasurer from 2014 until 2022 and brought with him a wealth of experience of from his time as treasurer of the Showlight Quadrennial symposium of light and Chair of the Association of British Theatre Technicians.
Steve Huttly | Member
Steve is co-Chair of the Awards Working Group.
Having worked in Technical Theatre Higher Education for over 20 years, he serves on the Awards working group.
Joe Price | Member
Joe is an elected director and board member until the 2026 AGM.
Joe oversees Member Bulletins, and assists with the website and some aspects of Focus. He is part of the Meeting & Events team, helping to organise networking, training and social events for members.
Zoe Spurr | Equity Representative
Zoe acts as the ALD contact with the Equity Directors and Designers committee and as part of this represents lighting designers' interests within their union. Her current term runs through until mid-2021. If you have specific Equity enquiries - equity@ald.org.uk
Sofia Alexiadou | Working Group Chair
Sofia is an elected Director and leads the ALPD Education working group that organises the various awards the Association is involved in. This includes both our well regarded Michael Northen Bursary and the Lightmongers' Award for Entertainment Lighting Design.
Charlotte Burton | Working Group Chair
Charlotte a co-opted director and is Chair of the Lumiere Scheme Working Group, for which she was the first recipient of funding through the scheme in 2015.
She is now leading the team looking to establish it as a long term project that can attract funding for future opportunities for developing artists.
Tom Lightbody | Working Group Chair
Tom is chair of the the ALD's Sustainability Working Group. Our art uses many elements and resources that are at the heart of the sustainability debate. We must acknowledge that the way we work will have to change.
Briony Berning | Working Group Chair
Briony is a co-opted director of the Association as well as Chair of the Meetings group and co-Chair of the Wellbeing Group.
Mig Burgess | Working Group Chair
Mig is the Co-chair of the Well-being committee. She has a research interest in mental health and well-being in our industry and has worked on 2 large industry studies and authors well-being guidance notes with the ABTT of which she is the Co-chair. Mig is a Mental Health First Aid Instructor, and a proud mental health patient: diagnosed with BiPolar disorder she has years of lived experience. Mig is also chair of the AAPTLE well-being working group and a trustee of Backup.
Roberto Esquenazi | Working Group Chair
Roberto recently graduated from The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, where he completed a BA in Technical Theatre and Stage Management specialising in lighting and video. He is excited to be joining the Student Working group as Chair and looks forward to welcoming new faces to the ALPD
Simisola Majekodunmi | Working Group Chair
Simi is chair of the Diversity committee. She is working towards creating a more inclusive and welcoming environment for all within this section of the arts.
Peter Mumford | Member
Peter is a former ALD Chair from 2011 - 2017 and now has an overview of the work of the Executive and the development of the Association.
Emma Chapman | Working Group Chair
Emma is co-chair of the ALPD's Awards working group alongside Steve Huttly. She believes it is important to recognise and celebrate the brilliant work which is being carried out across the lighting industry. This in turn raises the profile of lighting practitioners, encouraging people to join the industry.
john leventhall | Association Development
With career experience of the corporate retail world, arts and charities organisations, and in his youth, theatre lighting, John is the person who investigates and develops the future arc of the ALD's structure, organisation and offer to members and non-members alike. He also acts as Company Secretary.
