Following a twenty year career as firstly a theatre Production Manager and then a Theatre Consultant, Jack founded Plann in 2011 specifically to help theatre clients run building projects. Since then, Jack has led projects for The Old Vic, Theatr Clwyd, The National Theatre, Bristol Old Vic, Sadler’s Wells, The Yard Theatre, The Bush Theatre, London Theatre Company (Bridge Theatre), Punchdrunk, Birmingham Hippodrome, and Stephen Joseph Theatre. In 2004 Jack co-founded consultancy Charcoalblue and over an eight year period as the Projects Director was involved in the design of over twenty arts capital projects in the UK, Europe and the Middle East. These included The Young Vic, The Roundhouse, Curve in Leicester, The Marlowe in Canterbury, Theatre Royal Newcastle, Queen Elizabeth Hall in Antwerp and the National Convention Centre in Qatar. Jack is now recognised as a leading expert in the field of arts capital project management and provides strategic advice to a wide range of organisations, from pub theatres to national governments.
A highly motivated and widely respected innovator, collaborator and leader in the cultural, capital construction sector, Paul has spent the last decade operating at the highest level with many of the world’s most prominent design practices, providing specialist consultancy services to arts and culture-based, large-scale capital construction projects around the world. Paul’s career started in performance before moving behind the scenes into technical theatre, production and general management. He went on to become the Principal of Charcoalblue’s UK Design Headquarters before becoming a Director with TAIT StageTechnologies. Paul joined Plann in early 2018 to lead the company’s expansion into specialist design and now heads the team offering full-service theatre consultancy on a range of projects in the UK, the US and China.
Having worked in British Theatre for over 30 years, Dan recently completed the £60m refurbishment of Theatre Royal Drury Lane for LW Theatres as Project Director. At Chichester Festival Theatre, Dan was Project Director for the £22m RENEW project which included a £2.5m refurbishment of the Minerva Theatre building and the creation of Theatre in the Park. Prior to this, Dan co-founded The Production Desk, which specialised in production management, and has production managed over 150 first class productions including West End, Broadway and International tours. Dan also co-designed and project managed the build of The Pleasance Theatre, London and managed the build of over 30 temporary venues across Edinburgh.
A highly skilled venue technical specialist, Jason has extensive experience in the design, specification and delivery of a broad range of complex production systems, covering the audiovisual, production lighting and digital media disciplines. Jason’s training and early career focussed primarily on production sound and audiovisual system operations in a theatre environment. He then joined Bristol Old Vic as Head of Sound, which later expanded into a Director of Production and Operations role. The unusual mix of technical expertise and capital project experience that Jason brings has proved invaluable on the technical projects that he has undertaken at Plann. Jason has provided technical design assistance on several recently completed projects including the Bush Theatre and the Bridge Theatre and management duties as the Deputy Project Director for Bristol Old Vic. Jason is currently assisting Sadler’s Wells, Punchdrunk, Clean Break and Talent House in Hackney Wick.
An experienced coordinator with a keen eye for detail, Julia acts as a central point of contact for the Plann team, managing the flow of information and assisting with document distribution, programming, logistics and financial control. She is often involved in helping clients with their day-to-day needs. Having started her career with non-profit buying group AIS as Assistant Selector she was tasked with negotiating exclusive deals and holding trade shows for independent department stores throughout the UK. Before joining Plann, Julia was Business Manager at internationally licensed brand Sophie Conran; a role that involved everything from HR and accounting to reshaping the design house into an online retailer.
Richard is a Chartered Electrical Engineer with over 30 years’ experience in technical entertainment systems, engineering, and consultancy. Richard’s early career started off in lighting and audio, with his expertise in solving technical issues developing into him setting up a specialist electrical contracting company with work ranging from equipment servicing to large design and build projects for theatres, arts centres, and education. In addition to this, he acted as a technical entertainment design consultant and commissioning engineer for numerous cruise ship owners. Richard became an invaluable member of Plann’s team in 2021, using his expertise to help deliver wide ranging capital projects. As a theatre consultant his recent work includes the National Gallery, the award winning Well Walk Theatre, and Fran Wen Theatre. He is also the NEC3 Quality Supervisor at the new Sadler’s Wells East venue and project manager at the National Theatre.
A Chartered Building Surveyor specialising in project management and contract administration for major capital arts projects, Jeremy qualified as a member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors in 2005 and spent the first eight years of his career working for Drivers Jonas, a well-regarded firm of property consultants who later merged with Deloitte. Before joining Plann, Jeremy ran his own project management and surveying practice which primarily served the arts sector with a series of project commissions for long standing clients including the Royal Shakespeare Company and National Theatre. Jeremy has built a strong reputation within the sector for successfully delivering notably complex and high profile projects in a range of different roles.
With over 20 years of experience in architecture, Tom is a qualified architect with a diploma from Cambridge University and a BA (Hons) from the University of Portsmouth. His breadth of experience spans from new builds to refurbishments, with a project portfolio that includes luxury private residences, student campuses, and a puppet theatre. Tom has held senior positions in some of London's most reputable architectural firms, having managed large-scale projects and led office-wide transformations, and has also taught and reviewed undergraduate and post-graduate projects at several Universities. At Plann, Tom will be providing Project Management and Contract Administration support across our varied projects.
Charlotte started her career in the Estates department at Sadler’s Wells where she progressed to become a key part of the project delivery team for Sadler’s Wells East, which after ten years, opened in the Olympic Park in February 2025. Working closely with the Executive Director, Charlotte also managed and delivered the annual capital works programme, at their Angel theatre site, as well as administering their Arts Council Grants for several years. During this period, Charlotte completed an MSc in Project Management. Charlotte’s background in performing arts facilities and project management, combined with her project skills and insight into the capital needs of cultural organisations makes her an asset to project teams.
Matthew has over 25 years’ experience working for leading architectural practices in London, as well as running his own successful design studio, and has a wealth of experience in performing arts and cultural projects. He has helped deliver a number of major cultural projects, including the Centre for Education & Arts at the American School in London, the conversion of the Whitehall Theatre into Trafalgar Studios, Carnival Village Arts Centre in Notting Hill (RIBA Finalist and Civic Trust Award winner), Quarry Theatre at St Luke’s in Bedford (RIBA, Civic Trust & RICS Award winner), Brixton House Theatre (RIBA and New London Architecture Award winner), the refurbishment and transformation of the Piccadilly Theatre for Moulin Rouge, and the conversion of the Grade II* listed Granada Cinema into Soho Theatre Walthamstow. As an Associate at Plann, he is responsible for Venue & Auditorium Design and has worked on the refurbishment of Bridgwater Town Hall, the RSC’s The Other Place Theatre Interim Season, and is currently working on major refurbishment projects at Theatre Royal Plymouth and the National Theatre, London.
An incredibly experienced and talented theatre designer, Will has turned his hand to much of the performing arts including; Theatre, Opera, Musicals, Concert, Comedy and Magic across the country over many years. Whilst still completing his D.Phil. thesis on Pure Mathematics at Oxford University, Will co-founded the Almeida Theatre in Islington with Pierre Audi and Chris Naylor. At this time he toured extensively with Rowan Atkinson as Designer, Production and Stage Manager. Through Plann, Will has been instrumental in the design of several theatre spaces, including the Bridge Theatre, Bristol Old Vic, The Old Vic and Mamma Mia! The Party.
A highly skilled specialist in project management, installation and delivery of theatre rigging and automation systems worldwide Brian has worked with Plann on a number of projects to date as stage engineering consultant. Brian brings over two decades of experience delivering projects for tier one clients having previously worked for TAIT Stage Technologies, progressing to Head of Site Operations before his departure in 2018. Brian has a proven track record of successful project delivery for new build venues in the UK, US and EMEA some examples being La Perle and Han Show by Dragone, Disney cruise lines Dream and Fantasy, Wynn Palace casino, King Kong by Global Creatures and Ratatouille in Disneyland Paris.
Having graduated from De Montfort University, Leicester in 1994 with an Honours Degree in Building Surveying, Keith was elected a Member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors in 1997. Keith has a wealth of experience from over two decades in the industry and his day-to-day involvement covers a wide range of professional services, including project management, contract administration, employer’s agent, development monitoring and acquisition/ condition surveys. Recent projects with Plann have included Bristol Old Vic Theatre, The Old Vic, Mamma Mia! The Party, The Ragged School Museum.
Tom is an experienced and RICS Chartered Project Manager with a decade of expertise leading construction projects across the cultural and creative sectors. Holding a BSc from Leeds Beckett University, he specialises in project management, programming and planning, and Contract Administration/Employer's Agent services. Tom has delivered projects ranging in value from £50,000 to £40 million. Tom has developed a strong track record in the delivery of complex and high-profile works in live performance environments, including The Old Vic, Punchdrunk, Chichester Festival Theatre, and the National Theatre — where he has recently completed the National Theatre Green Store and is currently managing multi-project infrastructure upgrades at the iconic South Bank site. Known for his structured, collaborative approach, Tom balances client needs, programme delivery, and budget control with a keen understanding of how cultural spaces operate.
Matt started as an apprentice-trained electronic engineer for GEC Avionics before going on to gain an honors degree in Media Systems. After graduating, he changed his focus to specialise in the design and commissioning of entertainment systems for rock & roll, entertainment venues, cruise ships, exhibitions, corporate offices & visitor centres. For 30 years he has provided consultancy, specialist technical expertise and direction on a variety of projects in UK, Europe, Canada & the USA. Matt’s diverse projects include Microsoft Experience Center Munich, various NCL, Carnival, Costa, HAL, P&O, Cunard, Viking and Disney Cruise Ships, Cittadella Malta, Norsk Natursenter, Père Magloire Visitor Centre, and Rothschild’s Sky Pavilion.
