Summary
Piers Shepperd, a prominent figure in technical production and event design, champions Backup Tech, a charity supporting live event professionals. His leadership at Backup Tech is transforming how the industry addresses financial and mental wellbeing challenges. Shepperd’s extensive experience, from Olympic ceremonies to music tours, informs his work in supporting the industry’s workforce.
Award-winning performance, open-source affordabilityTrueNAS, delivered by The Esdebe Consultancy.
** Main Story**
Piers Shepperd has a knack for the spectacular, doesn’t he? For over three decades, he’s been a key player in designing, managing, and technically directing some of the most unforgettable productions on the planet. Think Olympic ceremonies (over a dozen!), the massive Dubai World Expo, and projects for some pretty big names – Queen Elizabeth II and Queen (the rock band) to name a few. It’s really impressive, isn’t it?
Shepperd’s talent? It’s merging technical innovation with creative vision. Remember those molten Olympic rings at the London 2012 Olympics? That was him. Or the award-winning Chanel Art Pavilion, a collaboration with Zaha Hadid? Yep, him again.
He also co-founded Wonder Works, an international technical production practice, which is all about delivering top-notch technical solutions for live events. And then there’s WowAxis, a custom design and fabrication service from Wonder Works, aimed at boosting efficiency and safety in the live event world. From massive events to immersive experiences and music tours, he really does seem to do it all.
Championing Backup Tech
Now, in 2022, Shepperd took on another important role: Trustee and Chair of Backup Tech. It’s a charity that’s close to my heart, dedicated to supporting the technical professionals who make the UK live events industry tick. And let’s face it, it’s a tough field, especially for freelancers and crew. That’s why Shepperd’s focusing on expanding Backup Tech’s reach and providing some much-needed support. His leadership there shows a real understanding of the industry’s needs, and he’s driving initiatives that address both financial and mental well-being. Which, as we all know, often go hand in hand.
Backup Tech’s Evolving Mission
Backup Tech’s mission has grown since it started back in 2016, and it’s now covering a much wider range of support services. Sure, they still offer financial aid through medical and hardship grants, but they’re also providing access to well-being resources and raising awareness about mental health. And that’s crucial. As of June 2025, they’ve already helped 24 individuals this year, with a growing number of cases involving mental health support. This is a reflection of the, thankfully, increasing recognition of just how important mental well-being is, especially in demanding, unpredictable industries. Like ours.
Financial Literacy and Well-being
One of Backup Tech’s latest initiatives? A series of financial literacy workshops. These are being developed in partnership with The Back Lounge and the UK Live Event Freelancers Forum. The idea is to give freelancers the financial knowledge and planning skills they need to navigate the industry’s ups and downs. It can be a real rollercoaster, can’t it? By helping people become more financially secure, Backup Tech is hoping to ease some of the stress and mental health challenges that often come with financial instability. Shepperd really believes this proactive approach is key to supporting the long-term well-being of live event professionals.
I remember years ago, before schemes like this were common, a colleague of mine almost lost their house due to a late payment from a client. The stress was immense, and it really highlighted how vulnerable people in this industry can be.
Industry Support and Growth
It’s worth remembering that Backup Tech relies entirely on donations. Which, in my opinion, really shows the live events industry’s commitment to looking after its own. Shepperd says it’s a testament to the industry’s strong sense of community and its willingness to help those who need it. And he’s right. The charity’s growing list of partners, including Core Pro Audio and TMB, shows that more and more people are recognising the valuable work that Backup Tech is doing. Plus, new ambassadors like Suzi Green and Gemma Fletcher are strengthening Backup Tech’s ability to raise awareness and provide vital support to live event pros across the UK. After all, we’re all in this together, aren’t we? So, supporting each other is essential.
Be the first to comment