Meet the Team - Craig Paterson
Getting to Know Craig Paterson, Head of Technical & Production
With 15 years at The Guildhall Trust, Craig Paterson leads our technical and production teams, ensuring every event is delivered safely, creatively and to the highest standard. His passion for live experiences and dedication to innovation make him a key part of our success.
Q: What is your role within the Guildhall Trust, and what are your main responsibilities? –
A: I’m the Head of Technical & Production at the Guildhall Trust, responsible for leading the technical and production teams across Portsmouth Guildhall and White Rock Theatre, Health and safety, as well as overseeing all Trust-led events both indoors and outdoors. I work closely with promoters, conference organisers and internal departments to ensure every event — from large-scale concerts to corporate conferences — is delivered safely, creatively and to the highest technical standard.
Q: How long have you been working at the Guildhall Trust, and how has your role evolved over time? –
A: I’ve been with the Guildhall Trust for 15 years. I started as a casual Stage Technician and progressed through the industry step by step — becoming a full-time Technician, then Stage Manager, Technical Manager, and now Head of Technical & Production. It’s been a journey built on experience, learning on the job, and developing leadership skills, alongside technical expertise. As the organisation has evolved, so has my role — moving from hands-on delivery to a more strategic position, focusing on long-term planning, infrastructure, innovation, and team development across multiple venues.
Q: What initially attracted you to working in technical production and the conferences and events industry?
A: I was drawn to the energy and fast pace of live events. There’s something incredibly rewarding about being part of a team that transforms an empty space into a live experience — whether that’s a concert, conference, awards ceremony, or community event. Every event or even every day presents a new challenge, and no two days are ever the same.
Q: What do you enjoy most about leading the Technical & Production team at such a diverse venue?
A: The diversity is exactly what makes it exciting. In one week, we might deliver a touring concert, a large-scale conference, a comedy show, a sporting event and a civic event — each with completely different technical and creative requirements. I really enjoy developing the team and venue expertise. Seeing a complex event come together successfully because of great teamwork is always incredibly satisfying.
Q: What has been your most memorable moment or achievement in your career?
A: Progressing from a casual technician to Head of Technical & Production within the same organisation is something I’m particularly proud of. It reflects not only personal development but also the opportunity the Guildhall Trust provided for growth. There have also been standout moments delivering high-profile concerts and large-scale events where months of planning end in a huge enjoyable experience for everyone —last years summer concert series outside with a firework finale was a big moment for myself and the trust. Those moments when the audience reaction reminds you why the hard work matters.
Q: What has been the most challenging moment you’ve faced in your role, and what did you learn from it?
A: The COVID-19 period was certainly the most challenging time for the live events industry. venue closures, uncertainty and quickly changing guidance was a challenging time for myself and everyone in the industry. It did however accelerate innovation — particularly around hybrid events and digital infrastructure — which has had a lasting positive impact with conferencing, digital speakers and streaming of events
Q: How do you approach technical, production, and creative challenges when delivering events in an iconic, heritage venue like Portsmouth Guildhall?
A: Early planning and clear communication with our clients. I focus on flexible infrastructure, for example ensuring the venur has rigging solutions for all types of events and it has technology that allows us to accommodate both traditional and up and coming new requirements. events are requiring more and more infrastructure to create a better, immersive experience so I try my hardest to ensure the venue keeps up with the ability to do so.
Q: How do you see technology and production evolving in the events industry over the next few years, and how is Portsmouth Guildhall preparing for that? –
A: We’re seeing rapid developments in digital technology, sustainability, and immersive/experiential concerts. Everything is now about the audience’s experience and every concert or event wants to better the last. A lot of events or productions don’t want the cost, or environmental impact of trucking huge amounts of equipment to each venue, so we are working hard to be able to supply as much as we can either in-house or locally to assist with that goal. This means invenstment into new technologies as well as developing the skills of our venue teams.
Q: If you weren’t working in events and production, what career do you think you’d be in?
A: I’ve always loved entertainment, so probably something along those lines, but I also love problem solving and working in environments that are always changing, so some kind of project management.
Q: Would you rather have unlimited free passes to every concert or festival in the world, or unlimited free flights to anywhere in the world? (And why?)
A: Unlimited free passes to every concert or festival. I love live events and I think the experience you get from every single one is something you cant replicate. There’s nothing quite like the energy of a live crowd!