Simon WoodView Profile → |
Pete Harding
Head of Creative TechnicalMeet Pete Harding
Pete Harding, with over 22 years in live events, is Creative Director at Encore since 2012. He designs top-tier events for brands like Adobe, BBC Studios, LEGO, Herbalife, Vitality, Deutsche Bank, and Yext.
Harding’s strategic leadership optimises operational efficiency and profitability. His expertise blends planning with execution for stellar results, earning industry accolades including ‘Best Event Production’ and ‘Live Event of the Year.’ Recognised for exceptional leadership, he’s a past winner of Encore’s ‘Delivering World-Class Service’ award.
So you’ve been with Encore for many years; how did you originally get into the industry?
In my early days, I worked in the electrical industry, where I met a lot of people from different professions. One day, I met a mobile DJ owner who was looking for someone to assist him with his gigs. I volunteered to help him, and that’s how I started my journey. I enjoyed working with him, and over time, I also started buying technical sound and lighting equipment on my own.
As I got more involved in the technical side of things, I became more and more interested in the equipment and how it worked. This eventually led to me starting my own technical production company.
What do you love most about your job?
One of the things that I enjoy the most about my job is the opportunity to take the ideas that agencies come up with, which are often just scribbled on a piece of paper and turn them into practical technical solutions. This involves a lot of brainstorming, planning, and problem-solving, as I need to figure out how to make their vision a reality while staying within the constraints of what is physically possible and what they can afford. It’s a challenging but rewarding process that requires creativity, technical expertise, and effective communication skills to ensure that everyone involved is on the same page and satisfied with the end result.
What’s been a particular highlight for you over the past 12 months?
It’s hard to pick a favourite among all the amazing events we work on, but if I had to choose, it would be working on Adobe Summit EMEA 2023 with Taylor Bennett Partners. It was a huge success, and one of the most impressive parts of the event was the curving LED wall that we created based on a rough sketch from the client. This 90-metre by 3.4-metre-high wall was able to transform from a vertical to a horizontal orientation and flow around a chillout area, creating an incredible visual experience for everyone at the event. Being a part of it was truly unforgettable.
Would you say you have an ethos?
Screw it, lets do it!
Meet the Experts
James HunterView Profile → |
Martin LubachView Profile → |
Alexandra Odri-FenderView Profile → |
Pete HardingView Profile → |
Tom RingView Profile → |
Ryan GrantView Profile → |
Chris SmithView Profile → |
Alex BinghamView Profile → |