Careers

Richard Thompson

I’ve always enjoyed engineering and electronics from an early age, and made my first amplifier when I was around 15 years old with hand drawn, and etched PCBs

I fell into my dream job working for Headstock where I’m able to directly push our ideas into reality, making great products for everyone. I’ve been here for 28 years, currently running the R&D Department for our Laney and HH brands.

Roger Williams

In 1986 I started work for Laney Amplification as the only sales rep, selling to music shops all over the U.K. and Ireland. In 1989 Laney acquired HH Electronics so I morphed to selling amplifiers and speaker boxes to the BBC and various Pro-Audio companies as well. In the late ‘90s we took on distribution for Ibanez and TAMA, so I started to sell guitars and drums as well – nothing if not adaptable . . .

I became the International Sales Manager in 2009 and now cover S.E. and Central Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and North America. I have been lucky to visit parts of the world I would never have dreamt of seeing, meeting some wonderful people, and making some life-long friends. We are a close-knit team – more like a family really, of which I appear to be the aged uncle – and we have been known to enjoy a few beers together . . .

Duncan Boniface

Combining my passions for music, engineering, and live events, I gained a degree in Engineering Acoustics from the renowned Institute of Sound and Vibration Research at Southampton University, whilst playing guitar (badly!) and working at as many gigs as I could. After graduation I began a career in loudspeaker design, specialising in musical instrument speakers, before becoming the R&D Manager for a British MI company. I joined Laney / HH early in 2009 and now use my experience in design, manufacturing, acoustics, live sound, and relationships to support our product development, our customers and of course our manufacturing of world class products, whether in our own West Midlands facility or overseas with our partners. I still play guitar badly!

Johnnie Jiang

I have known and worked with the Headstock team for many years and have developed great friendships with the people there. When the opportunity arose to actually join Headstock I jumped at the chance, and I now have the privilege of being part of the Headstock team.

I feel deeply passionate about the company’s ethos. I had been working for a Chinese company before and I feel that the management model and work philosophy are very different at Headstock and it suits my personality much better now.

I enjoy engineering and making great products

Ian Wright

Although I have always had a love for the guitar, I have found that my skills quickly became more focussed on the sales and service of product as opposed to my artistry as a player. I have been involved in the music business for many years where at the age of 15 I started my first job selling instruments in a large city music store. This is where I had my first opportunity to get to know the Laney brand before then moving to an Australian Distribution company that represented the brand. It was during this time I had the opportunity to meet several of the Laney family and these moments had always left a lasting impression on me.

After spending several successful years in Export Sales and Management for Pro Audio corporates I was given the opportunity of working for the Headstock company. I have now been with the Company for over 11 years and have felt honoured daily to be able to work for such a great organisation. I very much enjoy the family feel of the business with the ability to have direct access to senior management as opposed to multi-level middle management found in the corporate companies I have worked for.

I was made to feel part of the team from day one and the relationships and comradery are unlike any I have ever experienced in the workplace. Everyone actually likes spending time together and supports each other, everyone is passionate about what we do, especially in how we can best serve and provide solutions to our customers and end users alike…Very few staff leave this business, and you’ll find that many of them have been around for well over 20 years…

It truly is a unique company and I appreciate the opportunity to be a part of it daily. Oh, and as a bonus you also get to meet some pretty cool people!!

Adrian Webb

In September 2022 I celebrate 40 years of employment with Laney/Headstock. I completed my 1st year City & Guilds for Carpentry at West Bromwich College way back in 1982. I was interviewed by Lyndon Laney for a cabinet maker role and Lyndon suggested I could have a bright future with the Company, and he certainly kept this promise: My position with Laney matured very rapidly, as did the growth of the business, and I became Mechanical Production Manager.

Almost 20 years ago we purchased a design-built distribution centre for Headstock Group suitable for our distribution business growth and I became Warehouse Manager for the site. Where’s the time gone?

I met and married my wife Michele in 1985 at Laney and this year we celebrate our 34th wedding anniversary. What a fabulous life I’m living!