2nd January 2009

Stage Electrics is proud to congratulate director and co-founder Maurice Marshal who has been awarded an MBE in this year's Queen's New Year's Honours List.

The MBE, awarded to Maurice for his outstanding and dedicated service to drama, comes after a lifetime of dedication to an industry for which he has always had great passion.

After completing three years in the army as a tank mechanic, Maurice moved into theatre and has worked for much of the last 40 years as chief electrician for the Northcott Theatre in Exeter. Maurice has been committed to training new entrants to the industry for numerous years and many of today's top lighting designers and technicians have benefited from his tutelage.

Despite his full-time commitments to the Northcott Theatre and to national training, Maurice co-founded Stage Electrics with managing director David Whitehead in 1979 and remains actively involved in the business today.

Maurice, who was notified of his award in November 2008, comments that he is "overwhelmed to be awarded an MBE". Stage Electrics is delighted that his substantial contribution to our industry has been officially recognised with this prestigious award and congratulate him on his outstanding achievement.