Liverpool city region-based Adlib provides sound, lighting and audiovisual expertise for live events in the UK and overseas and is reporting a 57% surge in pre-tax profits to £2.2m. Tony McDonough reports

A Merseyside venture that provides sound, lighting and audiovisual expertise for live events in the UK and overseas is reporting a rise in revenues and pre-tax profits.

In its latest accounts for the 12 months to April 30, 2025, Prescot-based Adlib has revealed a 7% rise in revenues to £30.3m and a 57% surge in pre-tax profits to £2.2m. Shareholders were paid £165,000 in dividends.

Founded in 1984, Adlib also operates from Glasgow and London. It employs more than 220 people. It has collaborated with artists such as Sam Fender, Jason Derulo, and Hozier.

In April 2025 the group secured premises in London to position itself closer to southern clients and operations. The new premises in Wimbledon have a more central location with a larger office and warehouse space to serve a growing client base.

And to further support the group’s growing tour roster over the coming years, towards the end of the financial year a new subsidiary, Adlib US, was incorporated with headquarters in Los Angeles.

In February 2024 managing director John Hughes led a management buyout of the business, acquiring it from previous owner and founder Andrew Dockerty, who remains a director of Adlib.

Writing in the annual report John said the business had grown in what he described as a  “highly competitive marketplace”.

He added: “We have invested £7.4m in rental assets during the year to deliver on new contracts and meet the increasing technical requirements demanded by our clients.

“The scale of this investment allows the business to obtain good commercial terms from manufacturers and maintain an asset age profile which allows flexibility to manage investment needs through the economic cycle.

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“With access to a huge equipment inventory, improved London offering and other diversified income streams, we have ambitious targets for future growth and expect returns from the investments made over the last two years.”

In May 2025 Adlib secured a King’s Award for International Trade. Speaking at the time, John said: “This award acknowledges our exceptional team of talented individuals who have helped deliver some of the most impressive shows on the international stage.”