Supporting healthy sound: best practice for pubs and clubs

Join us during Noise Action Week 2026 to explore how pubs, clubs, local authorities and residents can work together to build thriving night-time economies while protecting staff, customers and communities from the harms of excessive noise.

This informative session will feature a talk from the Health and Safety Executive, outlining local authorities’ expectations of pub, club and bar operators. You’ll also learn about the Listen for Life campaign and hear real-world case studies from venue owners who are successfully implementing best practice in sound management. The programme includes a spotlight on the Night & Day Café in Manchester, examining how the agent of change principle was applied in practice, followed by a panel discussion with all speakers to share insights and answer your questions.

The event will conclude with a panel discussion with all speakers, chaired by Michael Kill, Chief Executive Officer at the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA).

This event is suitable for managers and operators of pubs, clubs, bars and other entertainment venues, as well as local authority officers seeking to support balanced, sustainable nightlife.

Our chair

Michael Kill, Chief Executive Officer, Night Time Industries Association (NTIA)
Michael Kill is a prominent leader and passionate advocate for the UK’s night-time economy. With decades of hands-on experience in the sector, he has consistently championed the rights and interests of the businesses, workers, and communities that form the backbone of the country's vibrant nightlife landscape.

As CEO of the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA), Michael plays a pivotal role in shaping national discourse around the night-time economy. He works closely with a wide range of government bodies—both local and national—regularly providing expert testimony to Parliamentary Select Committees. His influence extends beyond policy, driving awareness and solutions around safety, workforce support, and economic sustainability within the industry.

In addition to his work at the NTIA, Michael serves as the Chair of the UK Door Security Association and holds the position of Vice President at the International Nightlife Association (INA). In these roles, he continues to promote high standards of security, operational excellence, and innovation across nightlife sectors globally.

Further expanding his international engagement, in February 2025, the International Nightlife Association joined the UN Global Compact Network. As part of this milestone, Michael was appointed the INA’s European representative to the UN initiative, reinforcing his commitment to global collaboration and advocacy for sustainable and secure nightlife economies.

Our speakers

Chris Steel, HSE: What are what are local authorities’ expectations of pub, club and bar owners
Chris Steel BSc(Hons), MPhil, MIOA has worked for the Health and Safety Executive since 2015. Chris is a Principal Specialist Inspector dealing with workplace noise, hand-arm vibration, and whole-body vibration. Before Chris joined the HSE he spent 18 years working in noise and vibration consultancy, academia, and acoustic product design.

Rob Shepheard, Consultant Clinical Audiologist: Introduction to the ListenforLife campaign
Rob has over 40 years’ experience in UK hospitals and clinics treating hearing and balance disorders. For 30 years, he has specialised in tinnitus treatment and hearing injury prevention. In addition to his clinical duties, he has worked in a diverse range of environments, including different disciplines of motorsport, Formula One and the music industry, serving as audiologist to the Royal College of Music, Healthy Conservatoires Network, and British Association for Performing Arts Medicine.

As UK expert to the European CEN Technical committee Rob has contributed to UK and International hearing protection standards. He is an active member of World Health Organisation’s World Hearing Forum, and lead of the working group concerned with implementing the WHO’s own standard on safe listening venues and events. Now with the Night Time Industries Association, he co-leads the “Listen for Life” campaign, a groundbreaking initiative to protect hearing health for everyone in music-rich environments and beyond, both in the UK and Internationally.

Jon Burton, HELA: Healthy Ears Limited Annoyance Certification
Jon Burton is a Senior Lecturer in Entertainment Engineering at the University of Derby, with over 35 years’ experience as a live sound engineer. His touring career has included working with artists as diverse as Pulp, Radiohead, and, for 20 years, The Prodigy, taking him to major venues and festivals around the world. Stepping back from touring in 2019, Jon now lectures on a wide range of audio and entertainment-related areas, sharing his extensive industry knowledge with the next generation of practitioners.

Jon has also worked in television and radio, further broadening his understanding of audio production across different media. He is the co-owner of a five-room studio complex in Sheffield, which he designed and built with his business partner, and where he remains actively involved in recording and production projects. Jon is currently studying part-time for a PhD in audience auditory experiences, bringing together his professional practice and research interests to explore how audiences perceive and engage with sound in live and mediated environments.

Jon helped found the HELA Initiative after recognising a widespread need for clearer knowledge and understanding of key sound concepts across the industry.

Sam Mathys, 24 Hour London: Hackney Nights Case Study
Sam Mathys is a nightlife specialist with 22 years of experience across hospitality, music and entertainment, recognised for her innovative approach to creating vibrant, inclusive and diverse night-time spaces.
She currently works as a Senior Policy Officer in the Greater London Authority’s 24 Hour London team, where she leads on nightlife policy. She was the project lead for the London Nightlife Taskforce report and has played a central role in developing the London Strategic Licensing Project, helping to shape new approaches to nightlife governance and licensing in the capital.
 
Previously, Sam played a key role in shaping Hackney’s night-time economy through the creation, development and management of the Hackney Nights programme, a comprehensive support initiative for nightlife venues. She also led the borough’s evening and night-time strategy work, supporting businesses, cultural spaces and communities. Prior to entering government, Sam held a range of roles across the UK, Canada and Europe including general manager, tour manager, event manager and promoter. She has managed a wide variety of music and community venues and organised hundreds of grassroots music events.

Peter Rogers, Sustainable Acoustics: Agent of Change lessons from the Night & Day Cafe 
Peter has over 30 years as a consultant and ex Local Authority officer to drawn on when providing expert witness testimony, with his original degree in Physics and Medical Phiysics. He now owns and runs Sustainable Acoustics Ltd. providing acoustic expertise in environmental and building acoustics as a carbon neutral service . He was recently recognised by the Institute and the ANC for his work in sustainability and continues to strive to use acoustics to improve life.

About Noise Action Week

Noise Action Week is the UK's campaign to raise awareness and reduce noise pollution. It is organised by the Environmental Policy Implementation Community (EPIC) at the IES. Find out more here.

Header image credit: © Hakan Tanak via Adobe Stock