Archive for the &#8216;Education&#8217; Category

Education People

Chainmaster Training Strengthens Neg Earth’s Motors Team

Investing in Expertise

We recently welcomed Rick Williamson, Head of Sales and Training at LIFTKET UK (Stage), to Neg Earth for two days of comprehensive training with our Motors Department.

Building Knowledge Through Practical Training

The training combined both theory and practical sessions, covering the inspection, maintenance, servicing and testing of CHAINMASTER STAGEKET D8+ ULTRA hoists, CELLMASTER wireless load cells, and the new CHAINMASTER EASYLINK XTRA hoist controllers. The hands-on approach gave our team the opportunity to refresh their existing knowledge, develop their understanding of the latest equipment, and share valuable experience and insight throughout the sessions.

Supporting Excellence Through Development

With Excellence being one of our core values, continued training and development are an important part of ensuring our team remains at the top of their game. Regular product training not only keeps our technical knowledge current but also gives our staff the confidence and expertise to make informed decisions and provide the highest level of support when contributing to productions around the world.

Strengthening Partnerships

A huge thank you to Rick and everyone at LIFTKET for delivering such an informative and engaging two days, and to our Motors team for their enthusiasm and participation throughout. We’re proud to continue building our knowledge and strengthening our partnerships, to ensure our team is equipped to deliver excellence on every show.

May 8, 2026

Education Internal Staff Events Work Culture

Rooted in Change: How We Marked World Earth Day at Neg Earth Lights

Did you know that gardening is considered a form of ‘green exercise’, and can reduce stress levels by 4.2% and enhance feelings of well-being by 6.6%?

In many ways, gardening is both earth care and self-care, with benefits that grow in both directions.

World Earth Day: A Celebration with Purpose

This year, we celebrated World Earth Day with purpose – engaging in a series of activities across two weeks that brought community together while making a positive impact on our environment. From litter picking along the Grand Union Canal to supporting local wildlife initiatives and reimagining our monthly Tea & Talk, each activity reflected our shared commitment to sustainability and community.

Caring for Our Community: Grand Union Canal Clean-Up

We kicked things off with a walk along the Grand Union Canal, equipped with litter pickers, gloves and bin bags, ready to clear any waste left behind. It was a simple but meaningful way to give back to our local area. At Neg Earth, community extends beyond our workplace, and by helping restore the canal, we’re also creating a cleaner, more enjoyable space for those who live nearby, as well as for local wildlife. Encouragingly, we found less litter than last year – a small but important sign that collective efforts are making a difference.

Supporting Wildlife & Local Ecosystems

Our focus on wildlife continued as we encouraged participation in the Ealing Beaver Challenge – an initiative dedicated to reintroducing beavers into flood-prone areas. These animals play a vital role in restoring natural ecosystems and helping to reduce flooding for local residents. It’s a powerful reminder that sometimes the most effective solutions come from working with nature rather than against it.

Sustainability in Action: A Greener Tea & Talk

We also gave our monthly Tea & Talk a sustainable twist. Led by our very own Matthew Alston, the session brought colleagues together to plant a selection of pet-safe herbs, while learning practical ways to care for plants and adopt more sustainable habits at home. It was a chance to connect and learn something new, as well as enjoy some therapeutic gardening. Even our sweet treats stayed on theme…

Looking Ahead: Growing Our Impact Together

Our World Earth Day activities show that sustainability can be both hands-on and genuinely enjoyable. Whether it’s cleaning up your local community, supporting nature reserves, or simply getting stuck into a bit of gardening, every small action contributes to a bigger impact. Together, we’re continuing to build a workplace culture that values both people and the planet.

If you’re interested in learning more about our sustainability initiatives, head over to our Sustainability page to see our journey so far. There’s always room to grow.

March 27, 2026

Bright Futures: 20 Rose Bruford Students return to the CLC stage

Neg Earth Lights has maintained an ongoing collaboration with Rose Bruford College since 2021. This year, the partnership saw 20 students dedicate significant time to preparing the lighting for their end of year “Creative Lighting Control” 2026 show.

Arriving on site at Neg Earth Lights, they were well prepared with a strong professional approach.

Melissa Russell, Rental Asset Coordinator– It was a pleasure to have the Rose Bruford students on site at Neg Earth Lights and to work alongside them in preparing their lighting and equipment for the 2026 CLC live event.

The Neg Earth team were fortunate to attend the CLC event and were impressed with the lighting designs and their use of lighting techniques to deliver the show.

We wish all the students continued success and look forward to following their future achievements within the industry.

July 9, 2025

career guidance Careers in lighting and events Events careers for students Future talent in live events Industry outreach programmes Inspiring the next generation Live events industry London education partnerships Neg Earth Lights Neg Earth Lights initiatives Power of Events Schools Engagement Programme Student engagement in events UK events industry

Careers Education

Empowering the Next Generation: Our Commitment to the London Schools Engagement Programme

We are delighted to announce that Neg Earth Lights has joined the London Schools Engagement Programme, a fantastic initiative driven by the Power of Events, dedicated to inspiring and educating young people about the vibrant live events industry. This partnership reflects our passion for nurturing future talent and sharing our industry insights with the next generation.

Pip Ridgway, Managing Director says,

“Joining the London School programme to support 11-17-year-olds in gaining more knowledge of the live events industry fits perfectly with our commitment to empowering the next generation. It provides a valuable opportunity to equip young people with a better understanding of opportunities in this dynamic industry. We are excited to contribute to their development and help foster a future workforce.”

We look forward to recruiting our Neg Earth Ambassadors who will be visiting schools in London starting from September 2025.

We will provide an update soon!

Together, let’s empower young minds and create unforgettable experiences—both on and off the stage.

Click on this link to see how you can get involved:

Schools Engagement Programme – THE POWER OF EVENTS (UK)

April 28, 2025

Neg Earth joins in on Forest School fun with Be Wilder Education

Recently, Neg Earth Lights joined Be Wilder Education, which provides forest school education in West London for a fun & educational outdoor activity. Nestled in the heart of Vale Lane, West London, the Forest School provider supports the children on site at Holy Family Catholic school, West London.

A group of enthusiastic Year 5 pupils carried out a biodiversity study the forest that helped their understanding of the ecosystem but also provided a connection to nature.

Over the course of the academic year, each class at the school is allocated six sessions, each lasting two hours, allowing them to explore the great outdoors on a regular basis. This initiative has proven to be a transformative experience for the 450 children who use and have access to this on-site forest.

The pupils learned about different species of plants, insects, and animals, equipping them with the tools needed for their biodiversity study. Armed with clipboards and magnifying glasses, the children set off to observe and document their findings, creating a sense of curiosity and wonder about the natural world whilst understanding their role in safeguarding the planet.

The Benefits of Nature Connection

Be Wilder Education Emma Woods believes that regular interaction with nature has profound benefits for children’s physical and mental health. Engaging in physical activities outdoors helps develop motor skills, builds strength, and contributes to overall fitness—all essential for healthy childhood development.

Access to outdoor spaces like the Forest School is vital, especially in urban areas where green spaces can be limited. The initiative ensures that children from diverse backgrounds have the opportunity to engage with nature, promoting inclusivity and equity in outdoor education. It provides a safe and nurturing environment where they can explore, learn, and grow, helping to bridge the gap between urban life and the natural world.

Neg Earth was delighted to be part of the forest school activity and continues to support its partner with materials for the London forest school locations.

These include, wood, barrels, climbing rope and other upcycled materials.

“Thank you so much for the support and the abundance of resources, it really helps to enrich the provision. At the beginning of the year we made templates for bird boxes with wood off cuts that were donated, children built and painted the boxes and we installed them around the school forest. At the moment we have a pair of blue tits nesting in the box closest to our Basecamp and it is bringing so much joy to the children watching the busy pair darting in and out with materials for their nest.”

Emma Woods
Be Wilder Education

“We are so grateful to our friends at Neg Earth Lights who continue to support our wonderful Forest School by supplying materials that enhance the experiences and opportunities that we can offer our children. We feel very fortunate to benefit from a partnership with a company who seek to support a local school. Thank you Neg Earth!”

Mr Doherty
Headteacher, Holy Family Catholic Primary School

November 29, 2024

The Neg Earth team take time out to nurture their well – being.

To celebrate world mental health day the Neg earth Lights team took part in a 3-day mental health focus. Day 1 started with a group yoga session with thirty-six people meeting in the Neg rehearsal studio to stretch and focus on breathing exercises! Next up, the team were treated to a back and neck massage, as we finished off the week with Pizza Friday, which gave people chance to chat with their colleagues.

This day, each October, thousands of supporters come to celebrate this annual awareness program to bring attention to mental illness and its major effects on people’s lives worldwide.

With @Music Support, we offer our team mental health training to promote a culture where mental health is supported and openly discussed here at Neg Earth.

Our commitment to fostering good health and wellbeing is at the forefront of our mission.

HOME – Music Support

November 29, 2024

Exploring the Live Event Industry with Mount Carmel Future Stars

Neg Earth attended the Mount Carmel Primary School in Ealing careers afternoon this month, where we talked to over one hundred children about opportunities in the live event industry.

We had fun sharing the behind-the-scenes magic with the young, eager students, and they were keen to learn more!

The forward-thinking primary school focus on educating the children on the different jobs that are available, and over thirty different business across many different industries and professions joined the careers afternoon.

Deputy Headteacher Siobhan Ponter said.

Thank you so much for coming to our careers fair! The children loved it, and you made your talk so child-friendly! We really do appreciate you both giving up your time to educate the children. 

Neg Earth are committed to nurturing the next generation of talent.

March 23, 2023

Education Live Events People

Neg Earth Lights X Women in Live Music Workshop

In collaboration with Women in Live Music (WILM), we were thrilled to have held our first beginner’s workshop to educate and offer advice to women who are striving to enter the world of lighting.

At Neg Earth Lights we are passionate about taking action to make a positive change, and whilst Neg have made a conscious effort over many years to introduce more women into the workplace and bridge the gap of gender inequality, the sad reality remains that far less women are working within the live events industry than men.

Roles such as Lighting Technicians, Power Technicians and Riggers are held predominantly by men, and with shocking statistics from Zippia showing that only 13.4% of Light Technicians are women. Here at Neg we want to change this.

Moreover, Neg Earth Lights is a family-run business and was founded by Dave and Pip Ridgway. With an inspiring female figure as one of the Managing Directors, Pip is passionate about the company helping to make a difference and encourage more women into the live events industry. In the panel discussion, Neg Project Manager Lindsey Markham, told the guests, ‘For me, in this industry I’ve always felt that I couldn’t find the routes in. Now, I think we are getting better at finding these routes in for people and I really think this forum is amazing,’ showing how passionate the Neg team are for offering these opportunities, inspired by their own first-hand experiences.

In honour of International Women’s Day on the 8th of March 2023, Neg Earth Lights collaborated with the incredible team at Women in Live Music, offering exclusive workshops at our in-house studio, LH3. The event was a packed day of learning, networking, and lots of fun! A special mention to the women at WILM, including Olive Olin and Malle Kaas for assisting with the workshop, and Neg’s Marketing Manager, Tanya Kanani, who had carefully planned and hosted the event.

The response to the event was incredible with tickets selling out within the first hour of release! Additionally, there were over 30 people signed up to the waiting list for the event, showing its popularity amongst women aspiring to enter the live events industry, highlighting the current demand for career guidance and support within this industry.

The workshops were split into the specialities of lighting, rigging and power, with the guests alternating between sessions. The lighting workshop was led by Neg’s Technical Solutions Manager Joao Magalhaes and Lighting Designer Subul Lodi. The workshop explored the 4 key stages in the live event lighting process; Design, Preparation, Delivery and Practical. The guests not only gained theory-based knowledge in the sessions, but also gained hands-on experience operating the impressive GrandMA console. The rigging workshop was set up by Neg’s in-house Motors and Rigging Manager Rick Williamson, and the workshop was run by WILM member and rigger Ida Maria Borgstrom. This workshop involved teaching the guests to float a pre-built truss grid, showing them how to build and install baskets onto the grid and land the grid. This interactive approach to the workshop was a fantastic way for the guests to learn through practical application. The third was a Power workshop, set up by Carl Garner, Neg’s Electrical Specialist, and Maintenance Technician Bernice Roust and led by Bernice herself. In the workshop, Bernice educated the guests on Power Theory, as well as incorporating a hands-on practical application to her workshop.

Following these sessions was the panel Q+A, where the all-female panel discussed barriers within the live events industry and how to overcome them. The panel featured the Production Manager Alice James, Neg Project Manager Lindsey Markham, Lighting Designer Subul Lodi, Rigger Ida Maria and Ambersphere Key Account Manager Briony Berning. The audience had a chance to ask questions at the end, which explored how to confidently enter the industry, choose a specific area in the live events sector, and connect with professionals.

On this amazing day, jointly sponsored by Neg and Ambersphere, to ensure this opportunity was accessible regardless of individual circumstances, the group had networking drinks, where the guests, female panel, and workshop leaders had the chance to socialise and make new connections. To put an end to the day the guests left armed with swag from both Ayrton and Neg and a sense that with us, everything is possible.

An inspiring message taken from Lindsey Markham during the panel discussion was; ‘‘If you think you can do it and no one’s giving it to you, go and get it, go and ask for it… go and execute it well.’

Keep an eye out for our future initiatives where you can learn to be a part of the incredible and diverse lighting community!

In collaboration with: Women in Live Music

Networking drinks supplied by: Ambersphere

Event Planner: Tanya Kanani

March 16, 2023