Simon Fulstow

DESIGN & TECHNICAL DIRECTOR SONA

With over 20 years of hands-on experience, Simon Fulstow is leading in luxury technology specialist in the luxury residential and super-yacht industry. Whilst studying for a Biomedical Science Degree at Manchester University, Simon felt that a career in a lab just wasn’t for him. Simon worked part-time in a hi-fi shop in the city centre where manager there offered him a full-time job. This ignited Simon’s passion for the industry where he now works leveraging and utilising technology to make people’s lives, and the places they live more luxurious, more enjoyable, more entertaining and more intuitive.

What are you currently working on? At any one time, we always have a range of projects ongoing. At the moment we have a number of stand-alone home cinemas, a 50m yacht in France, and a number of large fully integrated home technology systems that include everything from audio, video, lighting, motorised blinds, infrastructure, network, security (physical and cyber).

Please describe the project you are most proud of to date, with reasons why this was a success? A recent project local to us here in Cheshire. It was an opportunity to be creative in every area where we worked closely with the client who wanted to take everything to the next level in terms of performance and perfection! We worked hand in hand with an award-winning Interior Designer and the collaboration with them has resulted in perfect harmony when it comes to design, beauty, practicality, luxury and effortless living. The house is amazing!

What motivates you? Enhancing moments in time that stay in people’s memory because our technology-enabled them to stop and live in the moment. That’s often a rare thing these days in such a fastpaced world - a moment to breathe. At SONA our aim is to enhance those moments by engaging more senses, so you can really be present, and then hold on to the memory because more senses have been activated. It’s like the song you danced to at your wedding, or the light at a certain time of day - it makes you feel more alive and you never forget those moments.

Where and how do you find support? My wife, Nicola has been a huge support in the business (and in my personal ambitions!). Nicola is and has been massively involved in driving the business forward, growing and managing the team and developing our brand. She is as dedicated to SONA as I am. Not only that, but she’s an amazing mum to our 2 daughters. She pretty much keeps us all organised and straight, and that gives me space to do what I’m good at.

Our team, some of whom have been with us for years, some who joined us last year, are the most amazing bunch of people. We

are truly lucky to have them. They care deeply about their work, the brand, and that is something money can’t buy. I always know anything and everything is in safe hands with them.

Where do you find comfort? Going home to my family, having a meal together, and tucking our kids into bed. That and a nice bottle of red!

What are your thoughts on the future of design? Design is about meeting human demand - wants and needs. That will never change. Technological developments will continue to follow any element of life where the designer believes it will make life easier, quicker, safer or provide a richer experience.

Please tell us your aims for the next twelve months and beyond. We will be continuing to serve our clients in more and better ways and grow our client base. We completed our first SONA marine job this year, despite the pandemic, and we’ll be securing more projects in this sector moving forward. Personally, we’re working hard behind the scenes on more charitable initiatives for young children with Autism. Nicola takes the lead on this, but we are both immensely passionate about therapies to help children under 6 with Autism to grow and love life; and support parents struggling with the overwhelm of raising a child with this misunderstood condition, where there is very little support or practical, positive advice. And honestly, to take time off regularly with the people that matter, travel as much as possible, whilst continuing to build a brand that the SONA team are proud of – that’s really always the dream that gets me out of bed each morning.

What would be your key piece of advice for emerging designers right now? Simplify life where possible, and make your audience feel safe and secure. Now more than ever, people have enough complications and uncertainty happening.

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01625 54 14 42 / INFO@SONA.TECHNOLOGY / SONA.TECHNOLOGY