“Amazing to think I’ve worked in this industry for over 45 years!”

As a valued member of the Aimimage team retires, we look back over Mike Robinson’s career.

After 14 years at Aimimage and a remarkable 45 years in the Film and TV industry, Mike Robinson announced his retirement and left Aimimage only last month for pastures new.

Mike said of Aimimage “…the friendly and convivial atmosphere has been a great place to wind up my days in the industry”.

With a flurry of promotions and experience over the 45 years of service to the industry, Mike has had a varied, impressive and hugely gratifying career, all starting as an engineering apprentice followed by with a brief spell in Canada, before setting roots at BBC TV and Film Studios in Ealing for an illustrious 20-year span. Here, Mike worked as an Equipment Manager, Stages Manager and Equipment Technician while simultaneously training in additional roles, which took him to Devon, Cornwall and Wiltshire to work on critically acclaimed documentaries – such as ‘Secret Circles’ (1989).

During his 20 years at the BBC, Mike gained a vast amount of experience, taking on overall responsibility for the deployment of all BBC location film equipment together with sourcing kit from external suppliers. Throughout Mike’s two decades at the BBC he was fortunate enough to spend time working in other areas in varied positions by taking on 3-month secondments, which gave Mike the chance to evolve, learn and develop new skills. In the early days the positions included, Clapper Loader and Film Camera Assistant. As well as being responsible for utilisation, safety and maintenance of the three film studios and dressing rooms at Ealing Studios, looking after the Studios during the 80’s involved meeting several celebrities from that era, the Two Ronnie’s, Julie Christie, Dudley Moore, Donald Sutherland, Ken Russell and more. They don’t make them like that anymore!

Following closures at the BBC, Mike went to OpTex, where he worked as a Rental Manager for over 10 years looking after all aspects of the hire division. Robinson added, “Unfortunately, in December 2006 OpTex went into receivership and after a short spell at Gearhouse Broadcast I joined the team here at Aimimage” in 2005.

“I soon became familiar with the diverse and varied customer base working with Aim”

At Aimimage Mike was Senior Account Manager & Used-Equipment Sales Manager, saying of his early days here “I soon became familiar with the diverse and varied customer base working with Aim” after 14 years of working with the team, Mike has decided to hang up his hat and focus on the next episode of his life.

With a wondrous passion for the industry and an outstanding wealth of knowledge walking out of the Aimimage doors, we are sad to see Mike go but thrilled and excited for Mike to start his next chapter, it is truly well deserved…

From the Aimimage team:

We will miss Mike greatly; he’s a sweet and funny character and our days at Aim won’t be the same without him. His knowledge was unparalleled, and we have all been given sage advice and interesting stories by Mike more than a few times! One member of the team, Terrence the turtle will miss him especially as Mike took great care of the Aimimage fish tank! We’re sure this isn’t the last we’ll see of Mike here, but we wish him all the best as he enjoys his retirement.