AV Consultancy UK: Lessons from 2025 and What’s Ahead in 2026

As we begin 2026, many organisations are focused on what comes next — new plans, new projects, and new priorities. Before looking too far ahead, though, there is real value in pausing briefly to reflect on what the past year has taught us.

At CollabAV, we see reflection not as an exercise in hindsight, but as a way to move forward with greater clarity. The lessons of 2025 — both across our industry and within our own business — are already shaping how we think, how we work, and how we support clients in the year ahead.

This is a forward-looking perspective, informed by experience.

An Industry in Transition

The past year brought significant change across our sector. Several long-established organisations — businesses that had been part of the industry fabric for decades — closed their doors. For the teams involved, their clients, and the communities they supported, this was a difficult and often unexpected experience.

These changes have highlighted an important reality: the AV and technology landscape continues to evolve rapidly. Client expectations are shifting, budgets are under pressure, and complexity is increasing — often all at once.

In this environment, adaptability, collaboration, and clarity are no longer optional. They are fundamental to delivering successful outcomes.

Clear, effective communication

Our First Full Year: Building for the Long Term

2025 marked CollabAV’s first full year in business. It was a year of learning through action — of testing ideas in real projects, making difficult decisions, and refining our approach as we went.

We experienced the same challenges many organisations face: uncertainty, changing requirements, and moments where the right path wasn’t immediately clear. But these experiences reinforced why Collabav exists.

From the outset, our aim has been to bring clarity, collaboration, and confidence to AV and technology projects — particularly where complexity, risk, or misalignment threaten progress.

Alongside the challenges came successes we’re proud of:

• Early-stage involvement that prevented costly issues later

• Projects where clear governance and collaboration unlocked momentum

• Partnerships built on openness, trust, and shared objectives

Modern hybrid teams

AV Consultancy UK - Foundations That Support Better Outcomes

Throughout 2025, our focus was on building foundations that support sustainable delivery — not just quick wins.

That meant:

• A trusted, experienced team with real-world delivery insight

• Partnership-led working, alongside designers, integrators, consultants, and end users

• Independent, vendor-agnostic advice, grounded in what actually works

These foundations continue to guide how we operate and how we support clients navigating increasingly complex environments.

Three Lessons That Shape How We Work Today

The experiences of 2025 sharpened three principles that now sit at the core of our approach.

Flexibility is essentialProjects rarely unfold exactly as planned. The ability to adapt — while maintaining clear objectives — is critical. Early flexibility often leads to stronger, more resilient outcomes later.

Collaboration drives better resultsThe most successful projects are collaborative by design. Aligning stakeholders early, encouraging honest dialogue, and solving problems collectively reduces risk and improves delivery.

Resilience comes from valuesWhen information is incomplete and decisions are difficult, values provide direction. Staying true to clarity, integrity, and partnership has helped us guide clients — and ourselves — through uncertainty.

Effective teamwork

Why We’re Optimistic About 2026

As we look ahead, we see a sector that is increasingly open to new ways of working.

Organisations are recognising the value of:

• Independent, strategic guidance

• Early-stage thinking that shapes better delivery

• Collaborative models that reduce friction and risk

More than ever, there is an opportunity to get things right early — and to correct course where projects have lost momentum.

How CollabAV Supports Clients in 2026

What Clients Should Expect from an AV Delivery Partner

As organisations plan for the year ahead, our work increasingly falls into three key areas:

Early-Stage Advisory & Strategy

For clients at the very beginning of a journey — or reassessing existing plans — we provide clear, independent advice to help shape direction before commitments are locked in.

This includes:

• AV and technology strategy development

• Feasibility, scope definition, and briefing support

• Translating business objectives into practical technical requirements

Best suited for: organisations planning new projects, estates, or long-term roadmaps.

Project Recovery & Re-Alignment

Not every project starts in the right place. When complexity, misalignment, or uncertainty sets in, we help teams regain clarity and control.

This includes:

• Reviewing current project status and risks

• Re-aligning stakeholders around clear objectives

• Providing calm, practical guidance to move projects forward

Best suited for: projects that have stalled, changed direction, or need an independent perspective.

Delivery Partner & Ongoing Support

For clients seeking a trusted partner throughout delivery, we act as an extension of their team — supporting coordination, decision-making, and quality outcomes.

This includes:

• Acting as a client-side delivery partner

• Supporting governance, coordination, and collaboration

• Helping ensure solutions remain aligned to original intent

Best suited for: complex or multi-stakeholder projects where clarity and continuity are critical.

Clear communication and collaboration

Starting the Right Conversation

As 2026 gets underway, many organisations are reviewing priorities, questioning assumptions, and looking for better ways to deliver projects in an evolving landscape.

If you’re:

• Planning an AV or technology project

• Reassessing an existing programme

• Looking for early-stage clarity or independent support

• Or simply want a conversation about what “good” looks like in today’s environment

We’d welcome the opportunity to talk about our AV strategy and advisory services.

CollabAV exists to help organisations move forward with confidence — through better conversations, clearer decisions, and more collaborative delivery.

Here’s to 2026 — a year of progress, partnership, and meaningful impact. 🚀

Let CollabAV help your team

Who this is for

This article is relevant for organisations planning AV and technology projects across workplaces, education, cultural venues, and public or commercial environments — particularly where complexity, multiple stakeholders, or long-term value are key considerations.

What does an AV consultancy do?

An AV consultancy provides independent advice, strategy, and project support to help organisations plan, deliver, and operate audio visual and technology systems effectively.

When should an AV consultant be involved?

The greatest value is often at the earliest stages — helping define scope, align stakeholders, and avoid costly mistakes later in delivery.

Is independent AV consultancy vendor-neutral?

Yes. Independent consultancies operate without ties to manufacturers or integrators, allowing advice to be driven purely by client needs.