How did you first become involved in the industry?
I started out as a studio engineer recording in Manchester during the mid '80s. It was a great time to be in Manchester the music scene was so fresh and strong. I ended up owning my own commercial recording studio. I had a lot of fun and made very little money.

To what extent would you say your years spent working at the sharp end of the industry benefit you today?
I certainly learnt about being patient when dealing with clients. Every request was constantly changing and it has helped me to understand moving targets. It's not what the customer asks for that you have to give them. What they need in the end is what you need to give them. Because that's what they actually want they just don't know it in the beginning.

Following Arbiter's withdrawal last year, what is the background to Harman taking control of its own UK distribution?
Harman received a lot of interesting offers over the right to distribute it's brands in the UK and Eire. However, it's such a huge logistical and financial undertaking, to get it right and cover all the markets that Harman products do, it became apparent the best way forward would be for us to do it ourselves. It gives the brands a direct line to the customers vital for market intelligence. Whilst the reverse is true, the customers now have a direct link to the brands.

How difficult was it during the final months of Arbiter's tenure?
It was incredibly hard for all concerned towards the end. Especially for the dealers. I lost some great people.

How pleased are you personally with the new operation and your return to Harman?
Harman Pro UK has been a real breath of fresh air to us all. The support we receive from our manufacturing partners on one side and our customers on the other side has made the setting up of the operation relatively simple. It's been an opportunity to put in place systems that suit our customers rather than ones that are based around custom and practice. Personally I am very honoured to be involved in the operation.

What have been the pluses and minuses from the changeover? How has it affected your brand portfolio?
The minuses all came at the beginning when we had to pick up the pieces. It was really hard making the system work in the first few weeks. Just to fulfil the basic requirements of our customers was virtually impossible. The pluses? The ability to respond and tailor the company systems to ones that best suit our customers needs. It's great to have no history, nothing stopping you from saying yes let's make it simpler, quicker. The relationship between the market and the manufacturer has really been dramatically improved. All the brands we deal with now regularly visit our customers with us to get their input in product development and the market. The portfolio has remained the same with AKG, DBX & JBL Professional.

So what are your future plans for these products?
Unfortunately I cannot say what we have coming in the future, you would have to ask the development teams directly. I think what we have now has still to be truly explained to the market and we hope to do that in the forthcoming months.

What products, both currently and down the years, have you been most proud to be involved with?
I think I would have to take one from each brand because they have all had their victories. With AKG it would be the WMS40 wireless system it increased our wireless sales by over 300%. With DBX the Driverack PA, I have never been involved with a product that just creates it's own market. It's sales grow ever month. With JBL, Vertec. I started with Harman when customers would say "JBL - fantastic drivers, but they don't make a tour sound box", to today when Vertec has been an unmitigated success with Lenny Kravitz, Bruce Springstein, David Bowie and Clapton all using it within the last few months. Vertec is the fastest selling line array system in the world today. Currently the Harman Pro Group brand is paramount to me. Getting over what we can offer by way of system integration and the future of Pro Audio distribution.

What do you like and dislike about the industry?
I don't really dislike anything in the industry. It's full of great characters. All the people I deal with are full of energy. Most are honest hard working people with a passion, I like people like that.

How do you see the future progressing for both you personally and Harman Pro UK?
For Harman it looks incredibly strong. They have some fantastic technologies utilised both in manufacturing techniques and product design and they seem to bring the market what they want time after time. You only have to take a look at their investments in their manufacturing companies and you have got to feel a tremendous amount of pride in being involved in such a company. Personally I want to make HPUK the best pro audio company in the business, then I won't need to write my own epitaph (see last question) I could then retire on our reputation. .

You're a Manchester City supporter. How does this affliction affect your day to day work?
I was born in a time when you choose your team when you were young and you stuck with it through thick and thin. Boy I never thought I could be so tested. As for day to day I don't mention it unless of course we beat Manchester United in the league, as we have done this season, then you cannot shut me up.

What would your epitaph be?
I don't know, but you would definitely have to stand in the middle to get the best sound. If I had to it would be: "They will remember the quality long after they forget the price."