Unusual Rigging appoints Mark Priestley to Board of Directors

4th January 2021

Unusual Rigging has appointed Mark Priestley to its board of directors. Mark, who is currently head of capital projects at Unusual will build on the company's reputation as a source of independent experience and expertise and develop its consultancy role, offering a one-stop-shop service for capital projects.

Mark has more than 25 years’ experience of theatre design, particularly stage engineering and technical systems – much of it gained during 19 years at the National Theatre. He joined Unusual Rigging in 2010 following a five year period as a consultant with Charcoal Blue where he was responsible for delivering the new RST in Stratford-upon-Avon, Newcastle Theatre Royal, National Theatre Studio and Bristol Old Vic amongst others. Since joining Unusual Mark has been responsible for projects such as Garsington Opera Pavilion, the Dominion Theatre, Birmingham New Street and the Olympic Games.

Commenting on his appointment to the board, Mark said: "It's an honour to join the board of directors at Unusual Rigging, working alongside the existing team who all share the same aspirations for the company's future. In my new role, I'll be focused on building on our USP - a willingness to tread where others dare not with difficult and challenging projects. Alongside this, we'll be looking at developing our service into new territories while maintaining our relationships with existing broadcast event clients and expanding the services we offer in partnerships with other aspects of the industry, like camera companies."

Tom Harper, managing director added: "Mark is a well respected member of the Unusual team, both amongst his colleagues and within the industry and we're delighted to welcome him onto the board. As we approach the end of a difficult year which has seen us face challenges we could have never anticipated, we are keen to enter 2021 with renewed energy and enthusiasm for developing new routes for our business while continuing to build upon the reputation we have in theatre, museums, live events, engineering and sports. Together, our board of directors, all long standing employees of the company, have thousands of hours of experience in their specific areas of expertise and we feel confident that this gives us a secure base to guide us into the future where without doubt the responsibilities will be even more demanding."