Ian Stickland joins the Charcoalblue Partnership

‘I’m delighted to have been invited to join the partnership group at Charcoalblue. For nearly a decade I’ve been lucky enough to contribute to many amazing projects with brilliant colleagues – and look forward to many more!’ remarked Ian. ‘As a Partner, I'll make sure we continue to ask questions about the future of performance, presentation and collaboration spaces and ensure our buildings utilise the very best combination of theatricality and technology.’

Ian graduated from the acclaimed Music and Sound Recording (Tonmeister) course at the University of Surrey before studying at the Institute of Acoustics. Prior to joining Charcoalblue Ian was Technical Manager at Battersea Arts Centre and remains actively involved in new theatre and performance. He continues to lecture frequently on the future of theatre in the digital age.

‘I first met Ian Stickland in a rack room at Battersea Arts Centre. He was standing on a stepladder, a screwdriver in his teeth while twisting a pair of copper cores together – and somehow still managed to answer my inane question about the quality of the audio system in the Great Hall!’ remembers Managing Partner Andy Hayles. ‘This ability to keep a level head, while rapidly multi-tasking at height has proved to be an amazing foundation for a stellar career in theatre and acoustic consulting. For as well as being a qualified Tonmeister and accomplished percussionist – Ian also continued his acoustical training while working his way up at Charcoalblue. From starting with us as a consultant in 2009, it’s with the greatest pleasure that we’ve invited Ian to become our latest partner in 2018. He continues to lead and grow our digital and workplace design strands; and heads up our R&D wing, which includes the VR & AR engine for our practice.’

The news of Ian’s appointment follows the opening of our sixth studio in Chicago in January and the launch of our new Turnkey Theatre Design service which offers clients a single point of contact and contract for the whole design team on particularly complex or seemingly impossible projects.