International buyer acquires live events business

TAIT, a specialist in designing, engineering and operating solutions for live events, has completed the acquisition of Wakefield-based Brilliant Stages – a provider of staging and design capabilities for live events.

TAIT says the acquisition brings together over four decades of complementary live event expertise to create an even more competitive platform.

Since 1978, TAIT has been a global provider of advanced creative, engineering, and automation services to the live entertainment industry. Its diverse group of clients and markets include: Princess Cruises, Fortnite World Cup, Disney, Dubai Expo 2020 and the Olympics.

At the core of its services is TAIT Navigator, a proprietary automation and show control platform that maximises the client’s creative vision.

Brilliant, founded in 1983, has also worked with a wide range of clients including: Hugh Jackman, Coldplay, Renault Formula 1 and the Dubai Mall.

Together, TAIT and Brilliant will continue to offer live event technologies with a continued focus on boutique customer service, a staple of both companies.

Ben Brooks, managing director of Brilliant, said: “We have built the brand brick-by-brick with an equal focus on spectacle, design, employees, and customers. That is what makes being part of TAIT a perfect match, culturally we are 100% aligned.”

Adam Davis, chief creative officer at TAIT, said: “This really is a perfect cultural match. We are excited to share with Brilliant our technology, assets, and lessons learned over our 40 years in the live event business.

“We have found a true partner in Brilliant and we share a deep belief in delivering excellence to our customers and their fans.”

Giles Taylor, partner at KPMG, who advised on the deal, said: “Brilliant Stages is an outstanding example of how a Yorkshire business can perform on the global stage.

“In the age of streaming, live music events are growing in both scale and economic value, so it’s no surprise to see a large international buyer looking to secure the resources of a UK business that has a track record of working with major artists.”

Law firm Blacks Solicitors advised live events campus Production Park on the sale of subsidiary Brilliant Stages to TAIT.

Home to over 20 live event businesses, two studios and 200 students, Production Park in South Kirby, Wakefield, is a world-leader in the live events industry. The sale of the two subsidiaries reinforces Production Park as a global centre for excellence and innovation hub for music technology and live entertainment.

The acquisition of Brilliant Stages and LS-Live by TAIT International, the UK subsidiary of TAIT Towers, brings together over four decades of live event expertise including advanced staging technologies, entertainment structures and live event solutions.

The team at Blacks was chosen due to their longstanding relationship with Production Park. Over the past five years the law firm has provided legal support on various matters including business acquisitions, employment law and HR matters, and intellectual property law.

The deal involved a cross border aspect with a US Private Equity backed buyer, and was completed in eight weeks despite the multiple time zones.

Dave Paterson, a Partner in the corporate and commercial team at Blacks who oversaw the sale, said: “Supporting our longstanding clients and offering advice for deals like this is a fantastic and rewarding experience. Everyone involved at Blacks is extremely proud of the successful outcome.

“The teams at Production Park and its subsidiaries have established themselves as world leaders in entertainment technology projects and the acquisition will pave the way to even greater success for everyone involved.”

Lee Brooks, co-founder of Production Park, added: “We are delighted with the outcome of the recent acquisition of Brilliant Stages by TAIT which will bring not only inward investment but also global opportunities to Production Park.

“The service and support given by Blacks was instrumental in agreeing this partnership and bringing it to a close in a very timely manner. We look forward to an exciting future at Production Park and to continuing our close working relationship with Blacks.”

Blacks Solicitors also worked closely with Nathan Potton, Giles Taylor and Joanne Barbour of Professional Services firm KPMG for tax and corporate finance advice, and Tom Sikora of HSBC.