BishopSound Supports Rise AV’s Inaugural Elevate Programme and Celebrates Victoria Bishop’s Selection

Ripon, 29 October 2025

BishopSound is proud to support Rise AV’s first-ever Elevate Programme, a pioneering initiative designed to accelerate the growth of high-potential women in the AV industry. This six-week leadership and career development programme equips delegates with the skills, confidence, and support to step into leadership roles and help shape the future of the sector.

We are delighted to announce that Victoria Bishop, Managing Director at BishopSound, has been selected as a delegate for Elevate 2025. Her participation reflects our commitment to investing in the professional growth of women and empowering the next generation of leaders in AV.

The Elevate Programme brings together 26 exceptional women from across the industry, offering immersive learning experiences, small-group challenges, and tailored mentorship. These opportunities foster leadership skills, collaboration, resilience, and innovation — all essential to building a stronger, more inclusive AV industry.

Rise AV’s mission is to champion gender diversity and professional development in AV, breaking down barriers and inspiring women to lead. By supporting Elevate and having Victoria Bishop take part, BishopSound is proud to stand at the forefront of creating meaningful change in the industry.

Introducing the Elevate 2025 UK Cohort

Meet the 26 outstanding women from across the AV sector, including:

1. Beky Cann, Director of Global PR, Peerless-AV

2. Kelli Neve-Read, Director of Media Relations, Bubble Agency

3. Zoe Deighton-Smythe, Senior Copywriter, The Inside Story

4. Sophie Whitthread, Sales Support Manager, Pioneer Group

5. Elizabeth Callens, Product Manager, Barco NV

6. Kate Farrelly, European Head of Marketing, Nuvias UC

7. Sara Sane, Senior Account Manager, AV Magazine

8. Anna Shahin, Application Support Manager, Audiologic

9. Teresa Juncosa Umaran, Freelance System Design & Project Engineering Consultant, Kado Audio Visual

10. Victoria Bishop, Managing Director, BishopSound

11. Harriet Balshaw, Head of Sales, Ascentae Ltd

12. Andreea Timis, Account Director, The LED Studio (EMEA) Ltd

13. Jo Sunners, Technical and Production Planning Manager, BAFTA

14. Meinir Jones, Solutions Manager, BBC

15. Georgina Austin-Smith, Sales Director, Major Bids & Strategic Relationships, Diversified

16. Jo Hall, Deputy Head of Scenic, Light Fantastic Production Services

17. Sarah Maclaren, Senior Manager, Customer Services, Shure

18. Sally Oates, Deputy Operations Manager, Light Fantastic Production Services

19. Hayley Middlehurst, EU Distribution Manager, Sony Europe

20. Manuela Schramm, Global Account Director, Kinly

21. Jolanta Modelska, Programme Manager, Kinly

22. Hanieh Motemedian, Business Development Manager, Pure AV

23. Shreya Hyde Smith, Director, Ivista Ltd

24. Mariela Petkova, Senior AV Technician, Royal College of Physicians

25. Lydia Box, Head of Engineering, Project AV

26. Mercedes Friedrich, Product Manager, Sennheiser

The Mentors

The delegates will be split into five groups for the small group challenge. Each group will be supported by one senior AV leader who brings decades of experience and insight. Their role is to provide guidance, safeguard wellbeing, and help participants navigate the challenges of leadership with clarity and resilience.

1. Jane Hammersley, Queen of Collaboration, Blue Touch Paper
2. Daryl Clark, Matrix Mentoring and CCO and Chairman, Workplace Vision
3. Martine Dodwell Bennett, European Sales Director, Absen
4. Gary Keene, Head of Audio Visual, University of the Arts, London

The Elevate Programme launches on 3 November and will run for five weeks, culminating in a final showcase event.

If you’d like to apply—or if you have a woman on your team you’d like to support—for the 2026 cohort starting in October, we encourage you to plan ahead and include this in next year’s budget. You can also register your interest here.