Leadership series: Jon Noonan

Through our Leadership Series, we share the stories, insights, and journeys of inspiring industry leaders.

In this episode, we sit down with Jon Noonan, Managing Director at Thorns Group and -45dB, a dynamic industry leader, to explore an unconventional career path that spans nightclub promotion, festivals, and the corporate world, leading to the helm of the events and exhibitions sector. 

We dive into the story behind the Thorns Group and the vision for -45dB, reflecting on what it was truly like to acquire a 75-year-old legacy business in the midst of a global pandemic.

Our conversation tackles the reality of running a business in today’s challenging macro environment, navigating tight budgets, rising cost pressures, and shifting client expectations, while pioneering sustainability through smart supply chain choices in an industry not typically known for eco-friendly practices. 

We also discuss the evolution of leadership from managing sales teams to running companies, the future vision for both brands, and invaluable advice for anyone looking to build a career in the events world.

About Thorns Group: Thorns Group are the premier, UK-based event and exhibition hire specialists. They provide an extensive range of furniture, catering equipment, and draping services to a wide variety of sectors, including major exhibition organisers, corporate functions, hotels, and contract caterers. Known for their vast inventory and expert support, they focus on helping clients fit out everything from individual exhibition stands and feature areas to large-scale corporate parties, weddings, and commercial events.

About -45dB: they specialise in innovative, sound-reduced acoustic structures designed to tackle noise challenges at busy events, conferences, and exhibitions. Operating across the UK, Europe, and the UAE, they hire out high-specification modular meeting rooms, theatres, and prefabricated meeting pods that offer up to 45 decibels of acoustic sound reduction. Their solutions are highly customisable, fully brandable, and built with sustainability in mind, providing private, quiet spaces for executive meetings, media zones, or quiet respite directly on the show floor.