At the heart of our company lies its people. Our in-house team not only have years of experience and expertise but are also driven by a shared passion of ‘lighting by emotion’ – ensuring all of our clients get to experience this. Similarly, the specific roles we have within the company ensures that clients will be supported throughout every stage of any project.
Matt Lloyd
Managing Director
Matt has been a stalwart of the lighting and entertainment industry for almost forty years. His varied career has seen him work on touring theatre shows, supply lighting systems to West End productions, manufacture lighting products, as well as specify architectural lighting and control. Having worked at Stage Electrics for almost a decade, he would go on to co-found GDS, with the company creating, developing and delivering cutting-edge fixtures which saw them win 16 prestigious industry awards. In 2019, Matt founded 3LR, driven by the ethos of ‘lighting by emotion’, and has overseen the company’s continued growth and international reputation for supplying innovative lighting solutions. He is also Chair of PLASA (Professional Lighting and Sound Association) which is the leading voice in the technical world of entertainment.
Stuart West
Stuart has worked in the entertainment and event industry for over 25 years with experience across all disciplines of technical theatre and production, as well as venue management and building operations. He has held managerial roles in mid to large scale producing and touring venues around the United Kingdom – including Sheffield Theatres, Cast in Doncaster, Royal & Derngate Northampton and Milton Keynes Theatre. Having considerable experience in the opening of several arts buildings and complexes, Stuart has gained valuable experience collaborating with architects, consultants and main contractors to deliver practical, functional arts buildings. As a Lighting Designer, Prod LX and Console Programmer, Stuart has worked on hundreds of Corporate, West End, UK & International Touring Productions, and events. Also putting those skills to use in broadcast and television lighting. Now at 3LR, Stuart draws on this experience with our clients; ensuring projects are state-of-the-art, future-proof and sustainable.
Simon Needle
Special Projects Director
Simon has worked in the lighting and entertainment industry since 1983. After graduating from Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, he spent a season at Wimbledon Theatre before a 5-year period at the Piccadilly Theatre in London’s West End. From there, he started his own Production Lighting Services Company and spent the next twenty years working on hundreds of large-scale Corporate, West End, UK and International Touring Productions, and events. He then joined White Light where he would become Special Projects Director and oversaw multiple high value capital projects including WB Theme Park in Abu Dhabi, City of Dreams and Parisian Theatre in Macau, and WB Harry Potter Studio Tour in Leavesden. He now uses his experience and expertise in his role as 3LR’s Director of Special Projects, with a particular focus on lighting, control and rigging.
Sandra James
Project Manager
Sandra has a Batchelor of Science (BSc) Hons degree in Building Surveying and was a chartered member of RICS (Royal institute of Chartered Surveyors) for 20 years. During this time, she worked as a project manager, delivering a range of projects from early conception through to completion, dealing with all aspects of construction. She has worked on multimillion-pound projects for a range of high-profile clients including Hewlett Packard, Dyson and various educational facilities and retail companies in the UK. Her role at 3LR sees her bring a great understanding of the construction processes, programming and contracts; all of which enhances and widens the company’s ability to integrate within the core design team and building process.
Karoliina Hellin
Architectural Lighting Designer
Karoliina’s lighting career started after she graduated from UWE with a degree in interior architecture. She soon joined re:Light in Bristol where she worked as Senior Lighting Designer, before moving onto Satore Studio in Cardiff. Now working as 3LR’s in-house Architectural Lighting Designer, Karoliina devises brand-new lighting designs, which both fulfil the client’s creative vision as well as the ethos of a building. She’s responsible for colour temperatures, beam angles, lighting levels via the DIALux software, along with any other specifications of the utilised fittings. Similarly, for spaces that require upgrades, Karoliina oversees a ‘like for like’ replacement, meaning she’s able to devise a plan with state-of-the-art fixtures that replicate the look and feel of an existing set-up.
Barbara Lloyd
Head of Finance
Barbara is 3LR’s long-serving Head of Finance. Working closely with Matt since the company’s formation, she has played a pivotal role in overseeing the organisation’s continued growth. With a degree in Law and Business Studies, as well as nearly fifteen years in entertainment lighting, she brings both extensive knowledge and vital skills to her position. As Head of Finance, Barbara is responsible for our financial operations and works closely with the team to help deliver their ambitious and innovative projects.
