White Light Celebrates Bryan Raven's Industry Contributions

	Bryan Raven

London-based lighting White Light is honoring the achievements of former managing director Bryan Raven, noting that his "dedication to theatre, sustainability, and industry development has left a lasting impact." Though surprised by the recognition, Raven has reportedly been deeply moved by the response, receiving hundreds of heartfelt messages from colleagues and peers.

Raven spent 37 years at White Light, leaving the company this summer to start Happy Bridge Ltd, a sustainability consultancy.

Raven played a key role in White Light's long-standing sponsorship of the TheatreCraft, the UK's largest free offstage careers event. "I was introduced to TheatreCraft over a decade ago through a personal relationship and their mission resonated with me," he says. "It allows the next generation a much-needed insight into the various resources available and the paths they may be able to take. It's all about encouraging and making sure everything is completely accessible -- hence the importance of supporting them through sponsoring. One of my proudest achievements is to see that TheatreCraft has become an integral part of White Light's annual calendar, championed internally by various team members." He also helped develop TheatreCraft Next Generation, dedicated to young people in the 7-15-year age range, held at the Science Museum in London in 2024.

Raven's involvement in Skillscene, the London-based training center, and his position as one of the founding directors of the National College Creative Industries (NCCI) led to the creation of White Light's award-winning apprenticeship scheme, which has provided over 75 young people with a creative venue technician apprenticeship since its inception in 2011. His advocacy work in government lobbying has ensured that technical theatre careers remain firmly on the agenda.

For over 15 years, Raven has championed sustainability in the performing arts. "In 2008," he says, "I collaborated with Julie's Bicycle on Greening London's Theatres, a practical guide for the industry launched by the then mayor of London Ken Livingstone. It outlined how London theatres could cut carbon emissions and implement greener practices." From his early involvement in the Green in London Theatre campaign to his recent work with the Theatre Green Book, Raven has consistently pushed for environmental responsibility. His collaborations with sustainability leaders such as Julie's Bicycle; the lighting designer Paule Constable; Paul Handley, head of production at the National Theatre; and Juliet Hayes, risk and sustainability manager at Society of London Theatres, highlight his commitment. Under his leadership, White Light achieved ISO14001 accreditation in 2022 -- the international standard for environmental management systems -- followed by B Corp certification just months later. The latter recognizes businesses meeting high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability, demonstrating a commitment to using business as a force for good.

"We were introduced to B Corp while working towards ISO14001, and we soon realized our existing practices aligned perfectly," Raven says. "It wasn't about changing our approach but formalizing it. B Corp's mission resonated with us -- to grow a profitable, sustainable business with a global reputation for excellence. This wasn't a short-term sustainability initiative but a long-term commitment to accountability and responsible business practices."

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Raven played a pivotal role in the #WeMakeEvents campaign, advocating for the live events sector at a time of crisis. His efforts in lobbying MPs at the House of Commons helped bring the industry's challenges to the forefront of government discussions.

White Light asserts that it remains committed to integrity, innovation, and industry support. Dave Isherwood, the company's technical director, comments, "We are proud to see this carried forward by our team, from Stuart Porter's work with the ALPD to Jonathan Haynes' advocacy for the Save the Beck Theatre campaign, and Liz Thompson and Sandra Tyler's leadership of our apprenticeship program, among many others. As we look to the future and the next generation of leaders, we remain dedicated to upholding these values. We are also pleased to announce Craig Bennett as our new general manager, reinforcing our commitment to being the industry's 'partner of choice.' Bryan's contributions to White Light -- and the wider industry -- are truly invaluable, and we couldn't be prouder of all he has contributed, continues to achieve, and the invaluable lessons he has shared with us."

"In today's climate," Raven notes, "making an impact is more challenging due to macroeconomic and geopolitical factors. However, it is now more critical than ever to pursue a responsible business strategy. The next generation of leaders recognizes this, which gives me hope. Demonstrating the business case for sustainability and responsibility to external stakeholders is key to fostering a long-term, ethical approach. It will also help attract future talent, as young professionals increasingly seek to work for organizations that align with their values."

Raven's upcoming projects include presenting a climate change paper at Showlight in Dijon (May 19-22), continuing his engagement with events to inspire young talent, and working with Theatre Green Book to address embedded carbon in technical products. He is also mentoring business leaders on their career and organizational growth.

In a statement, White Light says, "We extend our sincere congratulations to Bryan on this well-deserved recognition and look forward to his continued influence in shaping the future of the performing arts industry."