Digital audio mixing console manufacturer DiGiCo has named Austin Freshwater as its new managing director.

Freshwater, who has been general manager since 2017, takes the reins from long-serving MD James Gordon, who remains CEO of parent company Audiotonix. The move signals a new era for DiGiCo, which has revolutionized and grown since its inception in 2002.

Audiotonix – which also owns Allen & Heath, Calrec, DiGiGrid, Group One Limited, KLANG:technologies, Solid State Logic, and newly-acquired Sound Devices LLC – has been impressed with Freshwater’s performance over the last four years. His capabilities have been further emphasized against the unpredictable landscape of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“His performance and behaviour over the last 18 months have been nothing short of phenomenal,” says Gordon. “He's done an amazing job in a company that, to be very honest, is used to winning all of the time. Pandemic aside, he’s always been the right guy for the job.”

Audiotonix COO Helen Culleton highlights: “Someone new coming in would potentially have a lot to prove within an already established team, but at DiGiCo, we nurture people to achieve. That's always been the same for anyone who comes in; we want them to succeed.”

DiGiCo’s marketing manager, Maria Fiorellino, adds: “Austin has been an extra layer of support within the company. Having him with us has strengthened our relationships too, which is amazing, because our history goes back to the very beginning.”

As he looks forward to guiding DiGiCo through the company’s future challenges and successes, Freshwater is keen to serve its global customer base. “I want to replicate the relationships James has built,” he says. “Not replace them by any means, but add to them and offer that extra bit of support. After all, if you're not driven to be the best for your customers, what are you doing it for?”

The move will bolster confidence as DiGiCo moves into a new era of leadership, with Freshwater concluding: “I’m here to ensure DiGiCo continues to develop along the path of excellence it’s been on since day one.”

DiGiCo is distributed in Canada by GerrAudio Distribution: 613-342-6999, sales@gerr.com, www.gerr.com.