Having mixed her first band back in 1986 Jac got the bug for being a live sound engineer and has never looked back. Now with 30-odd years under her belt as a touring sound engineer, having worked her way up through the ranks in local venues/PA companies/studios etc before that, she has most recently completed a 2 year Arena level World Tour as monitor engineer with Simple Minds.
Through the decades she's seen the industry change from analogue to digital, seen attitudes change regarding females in the 'biz (early days it was just her and a single digit count in terms of other female engineers) and of course has worked through some of the industry's more tricky moments: fuel strikes, farm foot and mouth disease, a couple of economic crashes, brexit and most recently, of course, COVID. Jac is also the proud winner of 2 TPI Awards and a WILMA award for her work as a monitor engineer.
With another hat on, she has also side-lined (but now retired) as director of a renowned lighting company that turned 30 years old earlier this year. A huge contrast yes, but this means she is completely aux fait with company life and the responsibilities of having employees versus knowing first hand the trials and tribulations of being a self employed freelancer with just yourself as support.
Heading into 2026, she is retreating back into the land of freelance sound , and looks forward to what lies ahead (and to having a bit more time to herself in general).
Where do you work?
I have been a freelance sound engineer for over 30 years - so work pretty much every and anywhere!
What do you love about the event production industry?
The immediacy and spectacle of it. Special moments for millions of 'normal' people created in a comparative instant, and then committed to their memory in a flash....and then the circus moves on.
How long have you been a PSA member, and tell us about your experience as a board/council member:
I have been a PSA individual member longer than I can remember tbh ....I've probably got my original little paper card membership card somewhere?!! - but I was something like member 135! So well over 20 years, probably more- I really have no idea now.
How do I feel about being part of the council?
I joined just before the brexit vote, but the impact of that went out the window pretty quickly in comparison to being part of the council during covid .....which in turn was challenging, but also rewarding. I really felt the council stood up and was counted when our industry needed us most. We worked tirelessly to help our industry survive as a whole, and to provide support and solid, real advice to our membership. I'm very proud for having been part of that.
Going forward though, its about steering the PSA to move with the times, and to get our membership more involved themselves so we can make our whole industry stable once again, and bring back in the remaining magic of shows that COVID stole from us.
What are your goals for the PSA this year?
Oops - already answered that! Really to help our industry heal, and become stable once more. It is still pretty covid battered out there - the knock ons of that and Brexs**t just keep on 'giving'...
Why is it important for you to be part of the PSA council?
I feel it is really important in life to be the change you want to see. Don't just sit back and expect 'someone else' to do it .....get involved. Help make changes where changes will be beneficial not just to you, but to others . Try and be an inspiration to others - especially those starting out in what is a fantastic, but equally tough industry. The PSA has a solid membership - and we owe it to ourselves to work together no matter which part of the industry we sit in.
What is your advice to new members?
Get involved. At the very least have your say. The PSA is an 'association'.....so be associated with your fellow members. Follow the posts, read the articles, give your expertise and input to help us be a stronger voice . The council are here to listen and to facilitate , but we need input from our members. Be a doer. Be an enabler. Don't be just a moaner. Be the change you want to see .
