Mike Kelt, Chairman physical special effects company Artem, has announced the appointment of Toby Stewart as Managing Director of the company.
Stewart joined Artem in 2006 as a physical and pyrotechnic technician and has worked on and supervised dozens of commercials, films and TV shows, notably Bodyguard (BBC 1) which won the TV BAFTA Must-See Moment 2019 for the explosion he masterminded. He is a fireworks and event pyrotechnics specialist and worked as an explosive safety scientist for several years. He was appointed to Artem’s Board of Directors in 2018.
“I am confident that Toby and I will work well together as the baton passes to the next generation,” said Mike Kelt who remains at the helm as Chairman. “Artem has been running for over three decades in a landscape that has seen physical SFX change enormously. I believe Toby is the right person to help realise the company’s vision for the future,” he added.
One of Stewart’s first projects will be to set up a new Artem workshop in Manchester: suitable sites are currently being explored. This is in addition to Artem’s London HQ, and its Glasgow workshop run by Business Development Officer, Joanne McLeod.
“Artem is a fantastic business employing a wide range of very talented people,” said Stewart on his appointment. “I look forward to building on our 30-year history. We have an opportunity to expand the business, set up a facility in Manchester, to develop our existing successful products and to bring new products to market.”
Stewart’s appointment comes hot-on-the-heels of Artem announcing three new board directors last November, all three were internal candidates. “We have always been dedicated to promoting talent within the company, where possible” said Mike Kelt.
Staff Reporter
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