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About

Mission

Our Mission is to provide our wide range of clients with an end-to-end solution that meets their needs and budget while adhering to our exacting quality standards.

Vision

Our vision is to build long-term business relationships with both suppliers and clients based on mutual trust.

Approach

To our clients we offer a vast stockholding, competitive pricing, short leadtimes and knowledgeable staff to allow them to pursue every opportunity they are presented. To our suppliers we offer an effective path to market to maximise revenue from every product line.

History

Leading Supplier to the Entertainment Industry

Our origins date back to the early 1970s* with the Alpha Centauri Light Show. Throughout the years we have evolved as times have changed, and today we are one of the world’s leading international providers of cutting-edge entertainment technology products and solutions to companies and end users in over 80 countries.

Our UK and International Sales teams supply over 200 leading brands and related services. In selected territories we are the exclusive distributor for some of the industry’s major entertainment technology brands.

View the British Cinematographer's article on AC-ET.

About A.C. Entertainment Technologies

1971

Alpha Centauri Light Show

In 1971 co-founders David Leggett and Richard Floyd set up the Alpha Centauri Light Show, providing lighting and projection to clubs and multi-purpose halls. A.C. (Alpha Centauri) soon expanded into the live music and touring sector, lighting acts such as Status Quo, AC/DC, The Damned, Depeche Mode and The Tourists.

Several Years Later

A.C. Moves into Lighting Sales

After several years of concentrating on production, the company decided to move into sales, concentrating its efforts on reselling and distributing products. The company was renamed A.C. Lighting.

1996

A.C. Lighting North Opens

In 1996, A.C. Lighting’s Leeds-based sales office was established to service our clients in the north of the UK.

1999

Special Projects

In 1999, A.C. Special Projects was launched to provide architectural lighting equipment sales and installation services.

2003

A.C. Audio

In 2003, to meet the growing demand from customers, A.C. Lighting established a dedicated Audio sales team.

2006

A.C. Rigging

In 2006 and following the success of the Audio sales team, a Rigging sales team was introduced, ensuring our customers had access to the right equipment and knowledge.

2008

The Introduction of A.C. Video

In 2008, with technology advancing, the Video sales team was launched to bridge the knowledge gap between lighting and video.

2008 continued

Rebranding as AC-ET

Later that same year and to better represent the company’s wide product portfolio, the name was changed to A.C. Entertainment Technologies Ltd.

2008 continued

A.C. Special Projects forms Separate Company

In the same year and due to its success in the market, A.C. Special Projects Ltd. became a separate company.

2021

AC-ET Celebrates 50th Year of Trading

From the early days of Alpha Centauri Light Show to the present day, A.C. Entertainment Technologies is proud to celebrate over 50 years of trading.

Why AC-ET?

World Class Products, World Class Service

We pride ourselves on our team of industry professionals, with wide and varied experience, who can help advise on the best solution for each customer, project and budget. With our vast stockholding, competitive pricing, knowledgeable staff and the additional services we offer, our mission is to save you time, money and effort so you’re free to do what you do best.

AC-ET group shot. PLASA 2023
We supply and support sectors such as:

Touring & Live Shows, Film, TV, Studio & Broadcast, Theatre & Stage, Education & Performing Arts, Corporate & Events and Architectural & Installation.

Our customers include:

Production companies, rental companies, venue owners, freelancers, lighting designers, project managers, educational establishments and technicians.

Leading supplier

Over 200 Leading Entertainment Technology Brands.

With so many brands on offer, we can source possibly everything you require for your project, working to your budget, even at short notice.

Competitive Pricing

Get More for your Money.

Due to our Group-wide purchasing power and longstanding distribution relationships, we are able to offer highly competitive pricing to our customers.

Speedy Delivery

Vast Stockholding for Fast Despatch of Orders.

We have a multi-million pound stock-holding of equipment available for immediate despatch.

Committed Customer Care

Knowledgeable Sales Advice and Technical Support.

We are committed to providing our customers with the best service both pre and post-sale. Our specialist lighting, audio, video and rigging teams can provide in-depth knowledge, support and advice.

Demonstrations

Detailed Product Demonstrations.

We have state-of-the-art demonstration facilities or can arrange an on-site visit to a location of your choice.

Open Days & Product Training

Keep Up to Date with the Latest Technologies.

We regularly host workshops, seminars, training and open days at our offices in High Wycombe and Leeds.

24/7 Emergency Out of Hours

Sales & Support 24/7, 365 Days a Year.

Whether you’re in need of extra cable, a replacement lamp, or a vital piece of technology has developed a fault, we’re on standby round the clock.

Specialist Projects

Assist, Supply & Install.

Our sister company, A.C. Special Projects Ltd.’s experienced team, can handle all aspects of a project, from the initial design concept, through to the finished installation and after-sales support.

Ways to Buy from AC-ET

Cash Account, Credit Account or Finance.

We offer a variety of payment options to suit your cash flow and requirements. Credit account facilities and finance options available, subject to status.

Corporate Responsibility

Caring about our Industry, our People and the Environment.

A successful company is about more than just sales and profit margins. The Board of Directors has full regard for the environment and recognises its responsibility in protecting the environment from the impact of trade and industry. The Directors also recognise the need to enlist the active support of employees at every level in achieving this aim.

Our Principles

To our customers

The highest levels of knowledge, support and professionalism in supplying our products and services.

To our suppliers

A long-term, mutually beneficial business relationship with prompt payment of your invoices as our normal business practice.

To our staff

A friendly, secure, safe and healthy working environment with opportunities for personal development and rewards.

To the environment

A respect for the environment and a willingness to play our part as a responsible member of the community.

Meet the team

The team at AC-ET comprises experts from the lighting, audio, video and rigging fields. Their wide knowledge, experience and expertise will help you reach the best solution for any project and budget.

CO-FOUNDER & EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN

David Leggett

CO-FOUNDER & EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN

David Leggett

CEO

Phill Capstick

CEO

Phill Capstick

MANAGING DIRECTOR

Jonathan Walters

MANAGING DIRECTOR

Jonathan Walters

FINANCE DIRECTOR & COMPANY SECRETARY

Derri Gordon

FINANCE DIRECTOR & COMPANY SECRETARY

Derri Gordon

EXPORT DIRECTOR

Lance Bromhead

BRAND DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR

Neil Vann

BRAND DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR

Neil Vann

IT DIRECTOR

Teroy Spencer

SOUTHERN LIGHTING SALES MANAGER

Paul Biggerstaff

SOUTHERN LIGHTING SALES MANAGER

Paul Biggerstaff

Years at AC-ET:  27 years

Favourite Band: I have a few but Paul Weller

Favourite Film: Stand by Me

Favourite TV programme: Bluey

SENIOR UK LIGHTING SALES

Bob Allen

SENIOR UK LIGHTING SALES

Bob Allen

Years in the Industry: 34 years, 12 at AC-ET

Favourite Film: O Brother Where Art Thou

Coffee Order: Mocha

Pizza Topping: Chorizo, Black Olive & Sweetcorn

FILM & TV SPECIALIST

Ian Ferguson

FILM & TV SPECIALIST

Ian Ferguson

Years in the Industry: 48 years

Years at AC-ET: 21

Coffee Order: Rarely drink coffee

Most used Emoji: Don’t use them...

UK LIGHTING SALES

Michael Potter

UK LIGHTING SALES

Michael Potter

Years at AC-ET: 5

Favourite Band: Oasis

Favourite Film: Saving Private Ryan

Favourite TV programme: Only Fools & Horses

NORTHERN LIGHTING SALES MANAGER

Ben Steppenbeck

NORTHERN LIGHTING SALES MANAGER

Ben Steppenbeck

Years in the Industry: 24, 9 at AC-ET

Favourite Band: Foo Fighters

Specialist subject: DIY

Pizza Topping: Tuna and Pineapple

SENIOR UK LIGHTING SALES

Steven Farnsworth

SENIOR UK LIGHTING SALES

Steven Farnsworth

Years in the Industry: 41 years, 7 at AC-ET

Favourite Band: Queen

Favourite TV programme: Only Fools and Horses

Coffee Order: Cappuccino

UK LIGHTING SALES

Peter Nesbitt

UK LIGHTING SALES

Peter Nesbitt

Years in the Industry: 52 years, 19 at AC-ET

Favourite Band: Pink Floyd

Favourite TV programme: QI

Coffee Order: Latte

OFFICE MANAGER

Katie Deighton

OFFICE MANAGER

Katie Deighton

Years at AC-ET: 13/14?

Favourite Band: Do the Spice Girls count as a band?

Favourite Film: Sister Act

Specialist subject: Reality TV

EXTERNAL SALES

Andy Mahaffey

EXTERNAL SALES

Andy Mahaffey

Years in the Industry: 33 years, 21 in total at AC-ET

Favourite Film: Skyfall

Specialist subject: Lighting (Theatre and Event)

Coffee Order: Tea

EXTERNAL SALES

Ben Taylor

EXTERNAL SALES

Ben Taylor

Years at AC-ET: 10

Favourite Band: Radiohead

Specialist subject: Late 90’s indie/rock or West Ham United

Pizza Topping: Anything but fish, mushrooms or pineapple (ewww...)

EXTERNAL SALES

Mike Docksey

EXTERNAL SALES

Mike Docksey

Years in the Industry: 35 years, 7 at AC-ET

Favourite TV programme: Breaking Bad

Coffee Order: Plain White

Pizza Topping: Sloppy Giuseppe

EXTERNAL SALES

Sadie Naylor

EXTERNAL SALES

Sadie Naylor

Years in the Industry: 16, just started at AC-ET

Favourite Band: Chase & Status or Mammoth MVH – Big Contrast!

Favourite Film: Pretty Woman

Coffee Order: Vanilla Latte with extra shot

SENIOR AUDIO SALES EXECUTIVE

Steve Eaton

SENIOR AUDIO SALES EXECUTIVE

Steve Eaton

Years in the Industry: 30+ years, 10 at AC-ET

Favourite Band: Van Halen

Specialist subject: Guitars, Studio Recording and Mix Engineering

Coffee Order: Tea!

AUDIO SALES & SEO DIGITAL CONTENT EXECUTIVE

Kay Stephenson

AUDIO SALES & SEO DIGITAL CONTENT EXECUTIVE

Kay Stephenson

Years in the Industry: 20 years, 13 at AC-ET

Favourite Band: I love Barbra Streisand, does that count?

Coffee Order: Soya latte with sugar free caramel

Pizza Topping: NOT Pineapple

RIGGING SALES

Oliver Sharpe

RIGGING SALES

Oliver Sharpe

Years in the Industry: 10 years, 7 at AC-ET

Favourite Band: Courteeners

Specialist subject: All things Leeds United

Pizza Topping: Ham & Pineapple

VIDEO SALES MANAGER

Stuart Burdett

VIDEO SALES MANAGER

Stuart Burdett

Years in the Industry: 18 years, 11 at AC-ET

Favourite Film: Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels

Specialist subject: Push bikes

Pizza Topping: Tomato base, cheese, ham, pineapple… with an egg in the middle… and something green on top (spinach)

VIDEO SALES

Michael Teo

VIDEO SALES

Michael Teo

Years at AC-ET: 0 (started in November ’23)

Favourite Band: Queen

Favourite Film: The Godfather

Pizza Topping: Salami and nduja

OPERATIONS & ACCOUNT MANAGER

Sharlene Nichols

OPERATIONS & ACCOUNT MANAGER

Sharlene Nichols

Years at AC-ET: 21

Favourite Band: Radiohead

Specialist subject: Chelsea FC

Coffee Order: Good cuppa tea

REGIONAL ACCOUNT MANAGER – SCANDINAVIA & AUSTRALIA

Darren Palmer

REGIONAL ACCOUNT MANAGER – SCANDINAVIA & AUSTRALIA

Darren Palmer

Years at AC-ET: 20+

Favourite Band: The Cure

Favourite TV programme: Fawlty Towers

Most used Emoji: 🙈

REGIONAL ACCOUNT MANAGER – MIDDLE EAST, AFRICA & ASIA

Martin King

REGIONAL ACCOUNT MANAGER – MIDDLE EAST, AFRICA & ASIA

Martin King

Years in the Industry: 34 years, 19 at AC-ET

Favourite Band: Stone Roses

Favourite Film: Layer Cake

Favourite TV programme: The Wire

REGIONAL SALES REPRESENTATIVE – SOUTHERN EUROPE, SOUTH AMERICA & KEY ACCOUNTS

Jose Joao

REGIONAL SALES REPRESENTATIVE – SOUTHERN EUROPE, SOUTH AMERICA & KEY ACCOUNTS

Jose Joao

Years in the Industry: 41 years, 26 at AC-ET

Favourite Film: The Godfather

Specialist subject: Football

Coffee Order: Double expresso - doppio

OPERATIONS & ACCOUNT MANAGER

Georgina Rushworth

OPERATIONS & ACCOUNT MANAGER

Georgina Rushworth

Years at AC-ET: 11years

Coffee Order: Irish 😊

Pizza Topping: Not pineapple

Most used Emoji: 🤦‍♀️🤣🤔

INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING & IMPORT ADMINISTRATOR

Ferris Ash

INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING & IMPORT ADMINISTRATOR

Ferris Ash

Years at AC-ET: 20

Favourite Band: The Beatles

Favourite Film: Trainspotting

Specialist subject: Cricket

CONTROL SOLUTIONS SPECIALIST

Jack Moorhouse

CONTROL SOLUTIONS SPECIALIST

Jack Moorhouse

Years in the Industry: 20 years, 11 at AC-ET

Favourite Film: The Dark Knight

Coffee Order: Flat white

Pizza Topping: salami ‘nduja + roquito peppers

BRAND DEVELOPMENT CO-ORDINATOR

Emma Wright

BRAND DEVELOPMENT CO-ORDINATOR

Emma Wright

Years at AC-ET: 5 years, 5 months

Favourite Film: I don’t have a favourite but anything Fantasy or Disney is my go to!

Specialist subject: Baking cakes

Coffee Order: What’s coffee? Always hot chocolate.

SPECIALIST BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

Kevin Everett

SPECIALIST BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

Kevin Everett

PURCHASING MANAGER

David Goodman

PURCHASING MANAGER

David Goodman

Years at AC-ET: 22

Favourite TV programme: The Office (UK version)

Coffee Order: I’ll have a tea please

Most used Emoji: 🤬

SENIOR SUPPLY CHAIN PLANNER

Tom Cockcroft

SENIOR SUPPLY CHAIN PLANNER

Tom Cockcroft

CUSTOMER SERVICES MANAGER

Simon Guiver

CUSTOMER SERVICES MANAGER

Simon Guiver

Years at AC-ET: A lot… 34 (less a small break)

Favourite Film: The original Italian Job

Specialist subject: Has to be cars!

Pizza Topping: Meat feast… or Hawaiian…I know pineapple on a pizza, a bit controversial

SERVICE & REPAIR ADMINISTRATOR

Tim Butt

SERVICE & REPAIR ADMINISTRATOR

Tim Butt

Years at AC-ET: 35

Favourite Band: Foo Fighters

Favourite TV programme:  The Lazarus Project

Specialist subject:  Adult Lego

RETURNS ADMINISTRATOR

Sheryl Philips

RETURNS ADMINISTRATOR

Sheryl Philips

Years at AC-ET: 13

Favourite Band: Pendulum

Favourite Film: Trainspotting

Favourite TV programme: The Mandalorian

IT INFRASTRUCTURE MANAGER

Alex Draghici

IT INFRASTRUCTURE MANAGER

Alex Draghici

Years at AC-ET: 6 and a half

Favourite TV programme: Friends

Specialist subject: Video games

Coffee Order: Cold brew during summer / Americano during winter

TECHNICAL MANAGER

Martyn Cox

TECHNICAL MANAGER

Martyn Cox

Years in the Industry: 25 years, 10 at AC-ET

Favourite Band: Led Zeppelin

Favourite Film: The Lord of the Rings

Favourite TV programme: IT Crowd… Original Star Trek… fight!

HR ADVISOR

Emma Ridgley

HR ADVISOR

Emma Ridgley

Years at AC-ET: 17 years

Favourite Film: Lost Boys

Favourite TV programme: Silent Witness

Pizza Topping: BBQ Chicken, sweetcorn, peppers & onions

CABLE MANUFACTURING PRODUCTION MANAGER

Simon Hobday

CABLE MANUFACTURING PRODUCTION MANAGER

Simon Hobday

Years in the Industry: 22 years, 8 at AC-ET

Favourite Band: The Blues Brothers

Favourite Film: The Matrix

Most used Emoji: 🤣

AC Group

A.C. Entertainment Technologies, South
High Wycombe, UK
Website
A.C. Entertainment Technologies, North
Leeds, UK
Website
A.C. Entertainment Technologies Ireland
Dublin, Ireland
Website
A.C. Entertainment Technologies Europe
Berlin, Germany
Website
A.C. Special Projects
High Wycombe, UK
Website
A.C. Lighting Inc
Toronto, Canada
Website
A.C. Lighting Asia KK
Japan
Website
ESL
Montpellier, France
Website