Light Up Trails are event producers.
About Us
Light Up Trails emerged from the visionary partnership of lifelong friends Libby Battaglia and Lucinda Croft in 2020. With a shared journey from school days to professional training as dancers, their paths intertwined in the realms of musical theatre, production, and interior design. As the world grappled with the challenges of the pandemic, Libby and Lucinda seized the opportunity to fuse their creative energies, birthing a new venture that celebrates the magic of light art during the festive season. Joined by the talents of Kevin and Gavin, Light Up Trails has evolved into a beacon of wonder, now entering its fourth year. Drawing upon a global network of the most gifted lighting designers, technologists and artists, Light Up Trails curates a winter wonderland experience unlike any other. It's a testament to the producers' unwavering belief in crafting timeless memories for visitors of all ages, ensuring that the magic of Light Up Trails resonates forever in their hearts.
Managing Director and Executive Producer
Libby Battaglia, has over 30 years’ experience managing large-scale, high-profile events around the world including producing light festivals and events along the south coast. She founded the www.lightuppoole.co.uk Festival of Light in 2018, illuminating Poole’s historic town centre and waterfront and she won the Dorset Tourism Awards Outstanding Contribution to Dorset Tourism (2019). In 2020/21 Libby was the Events Director for Light Up Wiston, Mayflower 400 Tower of Lights and Christmas at Cowdray 2021.
Director
Lucinda Croft, started her working life as an actress, transitioning into business in 2001 when she became Creative Director and then Managing Director of the internationally acclaimed children’s hand painted furniture and interior design company Dragons of Walton Street. When she left in 2020 to co-found Light Up Trails she had established trading partners in Doha, Abu Dhabi, Monaco, Kyev and Moscow. Lucinda manages the traders, sponsors, and recruitment for Light Up Trails events.
Director
Kevin Byrne BCAb, is a leading entrepreneur and businessman in the UK, who built his household name company from scratch, managing a team of over 300 staff. Kevin won numerous business awards between 2011 and 2015 including Entrepreneur of the Year at the Sussex Business Awards, The Queen's Award for Enterprise in Innovation and the British Citizens Award for Business at Westminster.
Director
Gavin Dutton has led teams in a number of exciting businesses, his most prominent as Managing Director of Checkatrade between 2011-2018, growing the company from a well-known regional business to a national brand. After the sale of Checkatrade in 2018 Gavin has supported several smaller businesses in an advisory capacity and is actively working as a Non-Executive Director for BookaBuilder UK.
Libby Battaglia
Managing Director and Executive Producer
She brings over three decades of expertise in orchestrating large-scale, internationally renowned events. With a distinguished career marked by her visionary leadership, Libby has spearheaded numerous light festivals and gatherings along the picturesque south coast. Notably, her contributions to the cultural landscape were recognised in 2018 with the illumination of Poole's historic town centre and waterfront, earning her the prestigious Dorset Tourism Awards ‘Outstanding Contribution to Dorset Tourism in 2019’. Libby's portfolio of successes also includes steering the acclaimed events like Light Up Wiston and Christmas at Cowdray, where the company received the Silver Award for ‘Best Festival of the Year’ at the My Beautiful South Tourism Awards in 2021. Her pioneering spirit and innovative approach were further showcased with the inception of Light Up Sir Harold Hillier Gardens in 2022 and 2023, cementing her reputation as an industry trailblazer.
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Lucinda Croft
Director
She embarked on a multifaceted career journey, initially as an actress before transitioning into the realm of business in 2001. As Creative Director and subsequently Managing Director of the globally acclaimed children's hand-painted furniture and interior design company, Dragons of Walton Street, Lucinda cultivated a diverse network of trading partners spanning from Doha to Moscow. Her entrepreneurial spirit and creative vision paved the way for her role as a co-founder of Light Up Trails in 2020. Notably, Lucinda spearheaded the creation of the first Santa's Grotto during Christmas at Cowdray in 2022, a resounding success that sold out before opening. In her capacity, Lucinda oversees the curation of food traders and all things hospitality, ensuring that each Light Up Trails event is a gastronomic delight, delighting visitors with an unforgettable culinary experience.
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Kevin Byrne
Director
Kevin Byrne OBE, BCAb, stands as a prominent figure in the UK business landscape, having built a household name company ‘Checkatrade’ from the ground up, managing a dedicated team of over 300 professionals. Kevin’s entrepreneurial prowess earned him numerous accolades, including Entrepreneur of the Year at the Sussex Business Awards and The Queen’s Award for Enterprise in Innovation. His strategic insight and marketing acumen play a pivotal role in driving business development initiatives at Light Up Trails.
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Gavin Dutton
Director
He brings a wealth of leadership experience to the team, having navigated prominent businesses to unprecedented success. Notably, he served as Managing Director of Checkatrade from 2011 to 2018, overseeing its evolution from a regional entity to a nationally recognized brand, firmly establishing its foothold in the market. Leveraging his expertise, Gavin continues to contribute to the business landscape as a Director for BookaBuilder UK and Byrne Property & Investments. At Light Up Trails, Gavin supports the business in Financial Commercial and Business Insight areas, ensuring the sustainability of our initiatives and fortifying our path towards continued success.
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