News / Acquisitions
Event company behind refitted Boeing 727 to get new owners
A Bristol-based media and event firm, which made headlines with its refitted airliner, has reached an agreement with a Leicester-based company for an acquisition.
PYTCH, located at Skyline Park in Brislington, is set to enter a new chapter with the new owners, Premier Events, as of early 2025.
Johnny Palmer, owner and founder of PYTCH, has expressed optimism about the future of the B-Corp media group which he has led for over 25 years.
According to Palmer, PYTCH has been a “labour of love,” which he founded when he was still a teenager after moving to England from Tasmania.
Johnny Palmer founded PYTCH group over 25 years ago, when he was still a teenager – photo: Milan Perera
From humble beginnings, PYTCH has grown into a major player in live event production, delivering thousands of events worldwide for a diverse range of clients.
Beyond corporate events, the company has been involved in activism and social causes, including environmental protests and cultural events like Greta Thunberg’s visit to Bristol.
One of PYTCH’s defining features is its unique office space at Skyline Park, which houses a decommissioned Boeing 727. According to Palmer, the unconventional setting has been a hallmark of the company’s creative spirit and dedication to pushing boundaries.
Premier Events, led by Ben McCarthy, is a firm with a similar offering and culture to PYTCH, and is expected to be “a great fit,” managing the PYTCH brand, according to Palmer.
Speaking to Bristol24/7, Palmer said: “I have been in live events for over 20 years, which has been a blessing.
“Live events are a fantastic industry to learn engineering, art, logistics, and operations, and I have been privileged to work in venues from palaces to rubbish dumps, from aircraft to boats, from underwater to the top of mountains – and worked with some amazing artists and engineers across the globe.
“In particular, it has been a delight to have spent over a decade supporting young people from universities and colleges with progressing their events careers.”
One of PYTCH’s defining features is its unique office space at Skyline Park, which houses a decommissioned Boeing 727 – photo: PYTCH
While passionate about the industry, Palmer has become increasingly concerned about its environmental impact. He aims to leverage his skills and resources to drive sustainable initiatives and create scalable, repeatable solutions.
Palmer remains optimistic about the future of Bristol’s sustainable business landscape, emphasising the potential of the former PYTCH HQ as a hub for tech, manufacturing, and media businesses.
He said: “There is a great opportunity for other companies in Bristol — the former PYTCH HQ is one of the region’s most sustainable and lowest-impact industrial properties and will be available for its new occupier in early 2025. I would love to hear from anyone who needs a new home for their tech, manufacturing, or media business.”
Palmer will continue his leadership in his other ventures, which include DB Cooper Whiskyn- photo: PYTCH
Palmer has pledged full support during the transition period for Premier Events.
He added: “Premier Events is about three times the size of PYTCH, and with their acquisition, they will be able to keep doing awesome work with a lower footprint and great results. I will keep supporting them in every way I can.”
As PYTCH embarks on a new chapter under Premier Events, Palmer’s focus shifts towards water activism and environmental conservation.
PYTCH has been acquired by the Leicester-based firm Premier Events – photo: PYTCH
Palmer will continue to lead his other business ventures, which include Luna Domes, Autonomous Investments, and DB Cooper Whisky.
Palmer concluded: “Any project I am involved in next must have three elements. Firstly, it needs to be sustainable; to me, this means we can keep doing what we are doing now forever. This is not just environmental but also social, from a mental health and physical health perspective.
“Secondly, it needs to be repeatable, meaning that we can build a product that continues to benefit people multiple times without having to be rebuilt from scratch. Thirdly, a project needs to be scalable, meaning it can make a bigger impact over time without diminishing the benefit it gives to others.”
Main photo: PYTCH
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