Set the stage for success

It took just two years for Amplitude’s Vicky Hobson to rise through the ranks from business administrator to managing director. The challenges do not stop here, though, for the innovative AV company as their MD lays out their strategy.

One of the first things Vicky wants to get across to us is the transition that the company has gone through, and not only her journey within Amplitude. ‘We have come a long way from a small AV consultancy based in Halifax to where we are now as one of the region’s most rounded audio visual solutions.’

We meet up with Amplitude’s MD in the middle of set-up for the Leeds Annual Dinner at the iconic Royal Armouries on the city’s waterfront. The backdrop of military history seems apt for a team that co-ordinates its event set-ups with such precision.

As we talk, regiments of technicians and sound engineers are transforming the room ready for the evening’s event. The set-up is not unfamiliar territory for them as they have done this time and again for organisations up and down the country since the company’s inception back in 1990.

‘When I joined Amplitude in 2014, the position was only supposed to be temporary as I’d only planned on being here for two weeks.’ As we talk, Vicky’s passion for the role becomes clear: ‘I think it is the variety in the work we do, the different locations, the challenges and people we work with that I find so interesting. Having worked my way up from receptionist through various roles to MD, I feel comfortable in my knowledge of not only the company but our customer.’

The conversation turns to the future of the business, and once again the importance of digital development is put under the spotlight. ‘We have a pretty comprehensive digital solution that ranges from the supply of interactive technology and digital registration to providing secure WIFI networks. We want to grow this offering though, and have been working hard on developing bespoke digital solutions for our customers.  Currently in development is digital registration, live voting, and interactive feedback.’

‘Keeping up to date with advancements in technology and staying ahead of the curve is behind a lot of the success we have had as well as being crucial for us going forward.’ Vicky’s determination to stay one step ahead of the competition in a burgeoning digital market is something that helped her up the managerial ladder to managing director when the company restructured in 2016.

What is certain when hearing Vicky’s plan for the coming months and years, is the commitment to building on their success by investing in people and products. ‘The future of the AV industry holds some very exciting challenges. However, we feel events are one of, if not the most complete and rounded marketing solutions available for any company. As well as the one-on-one inter-action, events provide the perfect cross-over for digital marketing solutions and are a great way for incorporating various aspects of your marketing strategy without limiting another. Staying ahead of the curve is challenging. However, we are confident our investment plan will be what keeps us at the forefront of the AV industry.’

As we talk further Vicky outlines that, continued success requires a national strategy to expand the customer base. ‘We have a great hub here in Bradford, but our work takes us the length and breadth of the country so, for us, the next step is to attain an office and warehouse in London to better cater to the needs of our clients.’

With our brief conversation coming to a close, it is striking how quickly the Amplitude team has transformed what was an empty event space into a vibrant arena ready for the evening’s festivities (the Leeds Chamber dinner, if you recall). So with the stage set and everything in place, it seems Amplitude’s future under the helm of their pioneering new MD will certainly be eventful.