Oxfordshire: First Sight Media acquires Visions Unlimited

First Sight Media has announced the acquisition of Visions Unlimited to reinforce the company’s position as the largest graduation production provider for universities across the UK.

The Oxfordshire-based company will now provide live streaming and video production services to nearly 40% of the UK’s universities, filming over 650 graduation ceremonies a year including those taking place at the University of Leeds, Glasgow Caledonian University and Manchester Metropolitan University.

First Sight Media has seen its turnover grow by over 20% year on year since 2015 when it established itself as an event streaming and video production specialist. The company, based in Carterton, has since expanded to work across pharmaceutical, finance and technology sectors, delivering a range of solutions including award ceremonies, conferences, AGMs, product launches and webinars.

The purchase of Visions Unlimited, located in Hadleigh, Suffolk, will complement First Sight Media’s extensive client base and experience in the higher-education sector.  The deal includes contracts with a further 15 universities, audio-visual  (AV) equipment and access to Vision Unlimited’s pool of freelance talent to further bolster First Sight Media’s offering.

Richard Belcher, owner and managing director, First Sight Media, said: “We are delighted to strengthen our position as the number one graduation production partner in the UK and look forward to helping more universities to capture and share one of the most important days of a student’s life.

“Our purchase of Visions means we are not only expanding our customer base but also our technology and the ability to deliver solutions in new, innovative ways. It certainly sets us up for an exciting future.”

Simon Bishop, managing director, Visions Unlimited, said: “I’m extremely confident that our university and other clients are in safe hands with the First Sight Media team.  They share our high standards and flexible approach to provide production services that achieve results and I have no doubt that with his drive and ambition, Rich will lead the company to even greater success.”

First Sight Media employs 11 full time staff at its Carterton premises in addition to working with over 100 freelancers across the UK with an ambitious growth plan in place to increase its turnover from £1.1 million to £5m over the next five years.

An official partner of Event Tech Live 2019 - taking place at The Old Truman Brewery, London - First Sight Media is streaming live in 4K from five stages in addition to Richard Belcher speaking about ways to integrate and expand event video content into a brand’s marketing strategy.