John Holton, the former chairman of the IBC Exhibition Committee who retired from the position earlier this year, is to receive the marquee Lifetime Achievement honour at this year’s TVBAwards.
Michael Crimp, CEO of IBC, told TVBEurope of Holton’s role in helping to shape IBC as we know it today. “John Holton is a very successful businessman who played a key role in the development of this industry. As a co-owner of Aston Electronics, he worked closely with broadcasters to bring us ground-breaking caption generation through his Aston products.
“Recognising the need for the industry to have a thriving and dynamic marketplace, he played and continues to play a leading and vocal role in the development of IBC.
“His passion, determination and inspiration was pivotal in driving the growth of IBC from the constraints of Brighton to the incredible annual international market place that serves us all today.”
Roger Thornton, who stepped into Holton’s shoes as Exhibition Committee chairman ahead of IBC2016, offered his own testimonial of his predecessor’s influence on the industry. “John has been an inspiration to me throughout my 30-plus years in this industry, many of which we have spent working together on the IBC Exhibition Committee which he chaired so ably and with such vision until he retired earlier this year, and his wisdom is missed greatly by me.
“John has a very special ability to take a step back and look at the bigger picture – one of the key reasons he has been so successful firstly with Aston and latterly with IBC.
“Combine that with his passion for broadcast technology, his enormous knowledge, boundless energy and bloody-minded determination, and you have a complete picture of John as a true professional: a monumental figure in the development of our industry.
“But there’s more to John than that; he is also one of the kindest, most considerate and supportive people I have met, and if only he would improve the quality of his dreadful jokes, I might even ask him round for dinner!”
John Holton will be inducted into the TVBEurope Hall of Fame alongside previous winners Dr David Wood, and Adrian Scott. The TVBAwards takes place at London’s Grand Connaught Rooms on 20 October. Tickets are available from the official awards website.
