White Light celebrates the career of Technical Director Dave Isherwood

White Light (WL) today announces the retirement of Technical Director Dave Isherwood, marking the culmination of a remarkable 37‑year career that has helped define the company’s technical direction, culture and operational excellence.

Dave’s connection with White Light began even before his full‑time start in 1989. His earliest memories take him back to Filmer Road, spending a summer coiling cables in “The Cage”. His first weeks on staff involved preparing colour for PAR64 semaphore changers and repainting brand‑new Rainbow scrollers for M. Butterfly, a task that had to be repeated when the colour choice changed. These moments captured the improvisational, collaborative spirit of WL at the time.

Although the role initially began as a temporary stop while he considered his future, Dave quickly found himself part of a close and highly motivated team. The people, the energy and the opportunity for continuous learning kept him at WL for more than three decades. He recalls: “In 1989, WL had fewer than 30 employees, embodying a work‑hard, play‑hard environment that grew more sophisticated as WL and the wider industry matured. Yet the ethos that made WL unique has remained intact thanks to long‑standing team members who helped carry that spirit forward.”

As the industry and company evolved, so did Dave’s responsibilities. Over time he moved from hands‑on engineering to strategic leadership, becoming as comfortable with spreadsheets as with screwdrivers, even if a pair of safety boots always stayed under his desk. His career path was shaped partly by opportunity and partly by curiosity; asking questions often led him to take on new responsibilities and strengthen WL’s technical framework. One of the defining chapters of his career came with the launch of The Moving Light Company, where he played a pivotal role in developing a new division during a period of rapid technological change. Later, he took on wider stewardship as a Company Director and as part of the 2007 Management Buyout team, transitions he describes as natural progressions that aligned with the business’s growth.

Across his tenure, Dave witnessed significant technological shifts, from the introduction of DMX to the adoption of scrollers, automated fixtures and LED sources. He recalls building countless “bodge boxes” during the early transition from analogue to digital systems, ensuring designers and technicians could embrace emerging technologies with confidence. Through these changes, he emphasised that innovation was not only about the latest equipment but also about supporting designers’ creative visions and integrating new tools into workflows in reliable, user‑focused ways.

He comments: “WL’s ability to adapt to new technologies has often depended on understanding the user perspective, collaborating with manufacturers and refining operations behind the scenes.” Dave highlights battery‑powered fixtures as an example; while they transformed event delivery, their effective use required robust processes for returning, charging and testing equipment. For him, backstage reliability is just as critical as on‑site performance, and WL’s commitment to operational excellence has been central to its reputation.

Reflecting on the many productions and milestones he contributed to, Dave finds it difficult to single out specific shows, noting instead that WL’s achievements are always the result of a collective effort. His greatest pride lies in the development of the people around him, watching colleagues grow in ability and confidence, both within and beyond the company. A keen mentor, he reminds younger technicians that “every day is a school day”, encouraging them to ask questions, stay curious and learn from challenges as much as successes.

As he considers his legacy, Dave returns to the guiding principles set out by WL founder John Simpson. Dave comments: “John believed in giving customers choice and doing the job well. As the company expanded, these principles were codified in WL’s Core Values and further reflected in the company’s B‑Corp recognition in 2023, which acknowledges its broader commitment to people and planet.” Dave believes this ethos remains integral to the future of WL and will continue to guide the next generation of technicians and leaders.

Craig Bennett, WL General Manager comments: “As Dave steps into retirement, he leaves behind a company strengthened by his vision, technical expertise and collaborative leadership. His influence can be seen in the teams he developed, the systems he improved and the culture he helped build. White Light extends its deepest thanks to Dave for his outstanding contribution and wishes him every success in the next chapter.”

Photo courtesy of White Light.