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PERSON FOCUS: TOM HAYE
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How did you get into your line of business?
When I was twelve my father brought home a shiny new outside broadcast van. For me it was love at first sight. I looked around it and got the broadcast bug – and have yet to be cured. My interest in broadcast was consolidated in 1989 when I started attending Ravensbourne College to study for an HND in Broadcast Engineering. The two years I spent there, based at the old site in Bromley, were the most exciting time of my life because I had the opportunity to learn so much about the technical side of the business.
After graduating from Ravensbourne I was equipped with the basic training required to get me going in the industry, and shortly after leaving I managed to walk into a job at Sony Broadcast. The first project I worked on at Sony was putting together a small ENG system to support a team of mountaineers who were being sponsored by Sony to climb Mount Makalu in the Himalayas. They were using this kit to film their climb and then transmit live pictures back to the UK. A few days after their trip started, I was flown to Nepal in a hurry to help them with their filming and remained with them for the entire three-month trek.
I stayed with Sony until 1994 before having a spell as a freelance engineer, working for broadcast companies on a variety of projects around Europe and beyond. My freelance years came to an end in 1997 when my father and I decided to set up Broadcast Networks. My father, Jan Haye, a veteran of the broadcast business, had spent almost 20 years working for Sony Broadcast in a senior sales role. With his experience in the industry and my technical knowledge, it was the natural next step.
How long have you been working in this role?
For ten years. Early on in my career while I was at Sony, and later when I was freelancing, it occurred to me that there was a need in the broadcast market for a small but efficient systems integration team, particularly one that specialised in building OB trucks. As these vans had been my first love, I was determined to start that company and fill that gap.
What was your first broadcast/film industry related job/commission?
Building two small remote studios for ERTU in Egypt. I designed the systems and specified the equipment but unfortunately never got to do the actual install in Egypt because that was handed over to local technicians.
What career defining moments have you had?
Getting my hands on a newly built OB truck was pretty career defining, as was learning how to lace 1" C-format VTR's at the age of 12.
What has been your proudest moment to date?
Building a total of four high definition outside broadcast vehicles last year. It was a fairly hectic time but all vehicles are now out there being used on a daily basis. Being able to do all this work, and do it well, was probably my best moment. We are just about to start another 14 camera HD OB vehicle, which will be delivered to our customer in July this year.
What is the most important lesson you have learnt in your working life?
To find a team of people I can trust and rely on. I've learned to delegate but it’s been a hard lesson because I’m naturally very hands-on. However, having learned to do this I am now seeing the benefits.
What would you most like to achieve in your career?
My dream is to get Broadcast Networks to the point where it is recognised as the best system integrator in Europe because we already believe that this is what we are. As a company, Broadcast Networks will never be the biggest, but that’s a conscious decision, as I would never want our operation to become so large that we lost contact with our customers.
In your line of work, what is the most important personality trait to have, and how do you go about getting it?
Determination - there is always a way to solve problems, even when they appear insurmountable. You just need the energy and willpower to not give up.
Where will you have your lunch today?
In my dreams! I know it’s not very healthy but I rarely have time for a proper lunch, let alone a lunch break. On the few occasions when I do fit in lunch it’s inevitably while I’m on the move - some snacks in a lounge at an airport, for example.
How do you occupy your time when you're not working?
It’s inevitable when you run your own company that work is rarely out of your mind. I dream of a peaceful fishing trip to Scotland and have planned many in my head, but have actually gone on very few. Spending time with close, understanding friends is a form of relaxation for me. More recently, looking after a nine-month-old labrador puppy has taken up a fair amount of my free time.
Who do you consider to be the most inspirational figure in your life?
In this business you meet many inspirational figures, some who have been in the industry for years and some who have just entered it. Ravensbourne was a major influence because while I was there I met some very inspirational figures such as Jeremy Barr, Roger Conway and John Lisney, to name but a few. However, the person who has had the most influence on my life, especially in terms of where I am today, is my father. He lit the ‘broadcast flame’ at an early age.
Complete this sentence: "The best things in life are...
...in front of your eyes.... the hard part is realising it.”
www.bcnet.co.uk
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