Adaptable , modular , responsible
They started pioneering modular and reusable stands in 2003 . Already leading the charge in terms of sustainability , Whitespace Group founder and CEO Mary Cole tells Emily Wallin she is convinced the exhibitions industry needs to adapt to a more socially responsible model
“ Since we started the company sustainability has been ingrained into what we do ...”
In 2003 , Mary Cole ( CEO ) and co-founders Adam King ( creative director ) and Dave Wilson ( production irector ) founded Skyline Whitespace . Cole and King previously worked with Skyline Inc , a modular stand manufacturer based in USA . At the time , Skyline was one of the largest manufacturers of modular system globally and Skyline Whitespace became the sole UK distributor .
The concept was to reuse and reconfigure stands , the very essence of sustainability at a time climate change was low on the agenda . However , the approach quickly caught on as the company grew by approximately 40 % year on year , delivering reusable , custom modular exhibition stands .
Cole says : “ In the beginning , we were never quite sure whether our clients were buying into sustainability , or just
42 — November