Joe GallopWise Productions, a live and virtual creative event production company that is an accredited supplier to 38 venues including Somerset House and Tate Modern, is now owned by its employees.
Founder David Wise has sold the business he started in 1990 to his 50-strong team and has pledged almost £500,000 to philanthropic causes based around homelessness and music education.
George Foden, who has been with the company since 2015, is the newly-appointed managing director and will take over the running of Wise, with David Wise becoming chairman.
West London-based Wise Producrions is an events supplier to venues such as Kensington Palace, the V&A, Old Royal Naval College and the Natural History Museum.
David Wise said, “As the saying goes, surround yourself with the brightest and the best – selling Wise to the staff is a logical end to this action.
“I have a yen to pursue philanthropic projects, so it is time. George and the new Board are best placed to take the company forward and continue its successful trajectory of growth. The staff will have a greater voice and ultimately, a share of the profits they deliver. The new structure will also help attract and retain new talent.”
During the pandemic Foden led the team to develop a green screen studio offering as an alternative for online events.
Foden said, “I feel privileged to be leading the business into the next chapter of its history, and grateful that David will continue to support the Board and new owners as Chairman, as we realise our ambitious plans for continued growth and environmentally sustainable project delivery.”
The new Wise Productions board includes:
- Commercial director – Doug Wintle
- Creative director – Jenny Woollard
- Technical director – Matt Langford
- Client director – Hannah Ferguson
- Chairman – David Wise.