This week’s graduate spotlight features Tom Bland, a graduate from our BSc (Hons) Sound, Light, and Live Event Technology programme. After starting with a passion for audio, Tom’s journey led him to a successful career in solutions engineering, including working on large-scale immersive audio installations and audio systems for global theme parks. His diverse skill set—spanning audio, control systems, and networking—has earned him a key role at Powersoft. Tom’s career is a testament to the versatility and depth of the education he received at Derby, which helped shape his approach to the ever-evolving world of audio engineering.
Tom Bland, Class of 2013
Hometown:
Ashbourne
Current location:
Leicester
Current job + employer:
Solutions Engineer, Powersoft
What did you do/study prior to coming to Derby?
Music, Physics, Maths
Why did you choose to go to the University of Derby?
One of two live event courses in the UK at the time, and this one was a BSc.
Did you start the course with a specific focus or were you undecided?
Audio always has been my passion.
Did that focus change on the course? If so, how?
I did a lot of lighting during the course to keep my skill set broad, but audio was always where it’s at for me!
Has that focus changed after graduating? If so, how?
I focussed for a while on computer science (getting an MSc) but soon came back to audio but this time with a side of control systems and networking.
What was the most useful thing you learned on the course?
How to learn.
What did you learn on the course that you thought you’d never use, but that has come in handy during your career?
HASAWA and other regs.
What did you do on the course that you never thought you would enjoy?
I don’t remember not enjoying any of it!
What was your favourite establishment in Derby (pub, bar, club, restaurant, etc.)?
The cool answer here is Mr Grundy’s, the uncool answer is Mucky Duck…
What is your most memorable moment from Derby?
Immersive audio install.
What/who at Derby most influenced your life, and how/why?
Simon Lewis put me in touch with d&b and that changed my life forever.
What would you say to a Derby first year student, knowing what you know now?
Get stuck in to the 3am load outs. Don’t be scared to not know how things are done when it looks like everyone knows what they’re doing – just ask, chances are most people are winging it, one person knows what they’re doing, and many are in the same position as you!
What have you done professionally since graduating?
Put sound systems in arenas and theatres, taught electro-acoustics and line array theory, an MSc in computer science, designed methods for installing computers and AR systems into ride vehicles, and installed audio systems at the world’s largest theme parks all over the world. I have also made lots of mistakes, asked lots of questions, looked silly, read lots and lots of wiki and Google.
Have any Derby alumni or staff opened any doors for you? If so, who?
Simon Lewis introduced me to d&b where Steve Jones works who is a Derby alumni.
What is your most memorable moment from your career so far?
Far too many to choose from. Hearing the huge immersive audio installation on my current project has to be up there. Demonstrating an R&D concept to the directors of a major international theme park brand was fun too!
What are your future career plans/ambitions?
Keep going with pushing the boundaries of immersive audio. There’s so much more fun to be had there.