David Arnold - Director & Writer

David Arnold spent 29 years as Editor of Motoring & Leisure, the monthly magazine of the Civil Service Motoring Association (CSMA). With a national distribution of around 300,000 it was one of Britain’s biggest circulating club publications.

From 1997 to 2008, David also headed up the CSMA’s annual Special Events programme that included outdoor Proms Concerts, Air Shows and Historic Pageants at venues all over the UK. The CSMA Classic Festival at Brands Hatch grew into the Kent circuit’s biggest annual event aside from World Superbikes. Up to 50,000 spectators enjoyed weekends of motor and motorcycle racing alongside a huge variety of family entertainment and spectacular air displays.

In 1998 he took early retirement. Since then he has published a major book - “Seventy Years On” - featuring the wartime memories of scores of veterans and civilians, especially children. Via Crown Events, David also remains very much involved in the events business be it the organization of tailored activity weekends away, historical re-enactments or indoor and outdoor concerts.

David lives in Lewes, East Sussex, and was a volunteer member with the Steering Group that put together “Battle Royal”, a town-wide commemorative event held in May 2014 marking the 750th anniversary of the Battle of Lewes fought in 1264.Over 600 re-enactors in medieval costume took part.

David is a Life Member of Lewes FC, a non-league club that is community-owned on the Barcelona model. He also greatly enjoys contributing a whimsical weekly column “County Yarns” to his local newspaper, The Sussex Express.

 

david@crown.events

Bob Mayston - Creative Director

Bob is a Creative Director in the truest sense, having directed world-wide award-winning television and press campaigns and launches for many major products and projects. During the Eighties and Nineties he worked in Africa, America as well as throughout Europe with global clients such as British Airways, Glaxo, Bayer and General Motors. In 1989 he was head hunted for Saatchi and Saatchi for the role of Executive Creative Director to direct the publicity campaign in New Zealand that would bring Jim Bolger and his National Party to power.

Bob trained as a musician at the Royal Marines School of Music and music has always been a driving force in his life outside of his highly successful career in advertising. He has recorded and performed with bands such as The Stawbs, The Yardbirds and The Ravenscroft Partnership. He has also worked with the Treorchy Male Choir, Pendyrus Male Choir and also the Pontarddulais Male Choir. In 1987 he performed alongside his great friend Raff Ravenscroft on The Wogan Show.

Bob’s musical penchant brought an extra dimension to his advertising and promotional work. Music played a key role in a number of his major events. He also directed and produced a ground-breaking performance of Richard III at the Tower of London and has directed many outdoor concerts incorporating spectacular pyrotechnic and laser effects.

In 2008 Bob created and directed a son et lumiere, 'A Story Set in Stone', to mark 900 years since the foundation of Chichester Cathedral. It was a huge success, featuring sell-out performances throughout November of that year.

Bob Mayston is also an accomplished Military and Wildlife artist. His eye for detail has, in recent years, brought regular commissions from the Royal Navy and RAF. Bob is currently working towards a major exhibition in 2019.

 

bob@crown.events

 

Francis Burrows - Production Director

Francis started his love of productions and events in the 1980’s and from the age of 14 was appearing in local drama shows but notably designing, building and painting the sets of over 20 theatre productions in Mid-Sussex by the age of 18. In the days of painting before high powered projection and LED visual display screen Francis would skive off school and grab the theatre keys to paint ‘just one more bit’.

Picking up on his passion for the theatrical and art and design, Francis joined a medieval re-enactment group called Swords of Albion, soon leading the group as well as designing and developing the ‘show’ that toured for some two decades presenting medieval history to school children and audiences across the country.

In January 2011 Francis was appointed LED Manager for Creative Technology, one of the world leaders in the supply of Audio Visual technology in the events industry. Putting together equipment for bespoke events in both indoor and outdoor environments, he has worked alongside talented individuals from all facets of AV: Video, Camera Systems, Audio and Media Processing and has notably contributed in:

- Televised live events such as Strictly Come Dancing, Sports Personality of the Year and Big Brother

- Sports events such as ATP tennis at the O2, 2014 Ryder Cup at Gleneagles and Wimbledon from 2011 to 2014

- Arena and music tours for Jessie J, Elton John, Rod Stewart and the Arctic Monkeys

- Delivering the LED screen requirements for the London 2012 Olympic Stadium and associated locations

Francis has now joined Crown Events as Production Director and brings an unsurpassed technical experience and knowledge to underpin the organisation.

 

francis@crown.events