White Light (WL) is pleased to welcome Ryan Tate as Senior Account Handler, further strengthening the company’s commitment to supporting productions with expert technical knowledge and collaborative customer service.
Ryan joins the team with more than 13 years of industry experience spanning regional theatre, touring productions and venue management, bringing a unique perspective shaped by years spent on the client side of the industry.
Having worked with WL throughout much of his professional career, Ryan was already familiar with the breadth of services the company offers.
“I’ve always had a really good relationship with WL,” says Ryan. “From sales to installs to hires, I’ve worked with almost every department over the years. The company has always appealed to me and when the opportunity came up, it felt like the right time to make the move.”
In his role as Senior Account Handler, Ryan is responsible for supporting touring productions of all sizes, helping customers find the right solutions and ensuring projects are delivered to the highest standard. Drawing on his extensive practical experience, he is well placed to understand the challenges faced by lighting professionals and production teams.
Before joining WL, Ryan spent six years as Head of Lighting at Eastbourne Theatre, where he oversaw a wide range of productions and technical operations. His career also includes touring roles on productions such as Spamalot, Madagascar and Macbeth, alongside work as a production electrician across numerous theatre projects.
Among his career highlights, Ryan cites leading major technical infrastructure upgrades at Eastbourne’s Winter Garden and Devonshire Park venues, projects delivered in partnership with WL’s installation and sales teams. He also looks back fondly on lighting Eastbourne’s annual pantomime for six consecutive years, fulfilling a long-held career ambition.
Ryan believes his background gives him a valuable perspective when working with customers.
“Being on the other side of the desk has really helped. When a client calls with a challenge, I understand what they’re trying to achieve because I’ve been there myself. If a particular fixture isn’t available, I can often suggest an alternative solution that will still deliver the creative result they’re looking for. That technical knowledge and practical experience can make a real difference.”
Looking ahead, Ryan is particularly excited by the continued evolution of lighting technology.
“The quality and versatility of LED fixtures today is incredible,” he explains. “We’re seeing products that are not only highly efficient but also opening up new creative possibilities for designers. It’s exciting to see how lighting continues to evolve and shape the way productions are realised.”
For Ryan, however, the industry has always been about more than technology alone.
“What I enjoy most is the people. Our industry is a close-knit community and everyone is willing to go the extra mile to support one another and make productions succeed. That’s something I’ve always valued.”
Having spent years working alongside WL as a customer and collaborator, joining the company has felt like a natural next step.
“The onboarding has been fantastic and everyone has been incredibly welcoming,” Ryan says. “In many ways, it feels like coming home. I’d worked with so many people across the business already, so being able to work together as one team has been really rewarding.”
WL’s Head of Lighting, Dom Yates, comments: “Ryan has already made a valuable contribution to a number of significant projects and we are excited about what lies ahead. His hands-on production experience, technical expertise and customer-focused approach further strengthen WL’s ability to support the creative community with the knowledge, equipment and partnership needed to deliver exceptional productions.”