Press release
Cutting Edge, one of Australia's largest and most awarded film and television services companies, announces that, following 18 years of technical and managerial achievements, John Lee will step down as Company Founder. Lee founded the company in 1992 and his entrepreneurial vision helped grow the company into today’s market leader in Outside Broadcast, TV and Film Production, and Digital Services.
Whilst John Lee plans to explore some new personal opportunities for the future, in the immediate term he will be taking up his newly elected board position at industry advisory body, Ausfilm.
“I’m truly excited about the next chapter of my life. Along with Ray Smith CEO, Michael Burton Managing Director, Matt Lawson CFO and Kylee Ratz General Manager and an incredible management team, we have grown the organization to over 140 people across the country and around the world.So the time’s right for a new challenge”, said John Lee.
“John has made an amazing contribution over the last two decades, not just to Cutting Edge, but also to our film and television industry. His efforts have helped bring many projects to our shores and there are dozens of industry professionals that owe their start to John. His legacy is our business longevity”, Ray Smith said.
Lee was also instrumental in finding a successor, and he found one in former Super Cheap Auto CEO, Bob Thorn who has been appointed Executive Chairman.
“I feel privileged to be part of a thriving entity like Cutting Edge. It operates in 4 Australian States, and 3 countries, and there’s still more exciting opportunities on the horizon”, said Bob Thorn Executive Chairman.
“It gives me great joy to leave Cutting Edge in Bob’s, Ray’s and the Management Team’s very capable business hands. I would never have stepped away if I wasn’t certain that Cutting Edge could continue to grow” confirms John Lee.
From day one, Cutting Edge’s mission was to be the market leader in their field. Both Smith and Thorn confirm that Cutting Edge will not stray from pursuing technical innovation, creativity and excellence in fulfilling that mission.
About Cutting Edge:
John Lee was awarded QLD Entrepreneur of the Year in 2004.
Cutting Edge is a privately owned company and has grown by 15% on average annually.
Cutting Edge is the largest film and television services company of its kind in Australia with facilities in Brisbane, Sydney (three offices), Melbourne, Darwin, Tokyo and London.
Growth has been derived through the expansion of its television outside broadcast division and commercial and visual effects (VFX) post production services in the Australian and Japanese markets. Through major investment in research and development of hardware and software platforms, Cutting Edge has stayed at the forefront of emerging trends and established a unique space in the domestic and international market.
Cutting Edge also boasts a digital department, a world-class reality television division and one of the most advanced outside broadcast fleets in Australia.