Yes! Send me the FREE digital editions of Spa Business and Spa Business insider magazines and the FREE weekly Spa Business and Spa Business insider ezines and breaking news alerts!
RMA Ltd is a design and build company that specialises in themed attractions, theme parks, auditorium and 4D theatre shows, and dark rides. At its helm, managing director Nigel Knight says the company is here to deliver exciting new projects to wider audience than ever before.
Established in 1993, RMA has designed and built some of the most high-profile attractions in the UK and around the world.
The company has worked on many high profile projects In Britain, including the Jorvik Viking Centre in York.
For Jorvik, RMA has carried out a number of refurbishment projects, the most recent being a complete rebuild following catastrophic flooding in the city.
Cadbury World in Birmingham has also been a long-term client, with RMA recently carrying out the design and installation of the attraction’s 4D cinema experience.
At Drayton Manor, RMA designed and built the park’s Thomas World, creating an environment true to the iconic brand.
RMA also highlights among its signature projects two attractions at Paultons Park in Romsey – the prehistoric Lost Kingdom and the popular Peppa Pig World.
A world class approach With substantial pedigree, RMA wants to expand its ever-increasing attractions portfolio. According to Knight, the company has a lot to offer any client.
“We’ll take on anything we feel we can add significant value to,” he says. “Whether it be a smaller area of theming, an odd sound or special effect, a grand 4D auditorium show or even a dark ride with all the above.”
RMA offers total design, build and production services, meaning it’s able to provide a wide enough knowledge and skills base to get projects off the ground and open to the public.
Another string to the RMA bow is its newly-upgraded sound recording studio, where it produces all of its music soundtracks and special effects.
“Some of our more complex sound tracks can take a few months to design, record and mix,” says Knight.
“Having our own facility allows us the freedom to tweak these productions up to the day the attraction is opened to the public without the delays of waiting for commercial facilities to become available. We can also easily update a soundtrack at a later date, should the client require changes.”
A mission of quality While already offering a complete production service, RMA wants to continually expand its offering in order to give clients the very best service possible. This is set out with its aim, mission and company philosophy.
“Our aim is to continue to grow our offering, to be prepared to diversify and adopt new ways of thinking so that every new project provides an even better overall experience than the one that came before it,” says Knight.
“For our mission, we strive to design and build the best quality experiences – and to do so without compromise – so that the interpretation of the narrative is as good as we can possibly make it.
“Our philosophy is simple: ‘You’re only as good as your last project’.”
According to Knight, RMA’s unique selling point is its ability to design and build an attraction or themed area from the ground up through to handover, including productions, media content, sound and lighting systems, mechanical special effects systems, projection and video systems and animatronics.
To achieve this, the company has a set out process, which it uses to create a quality experience for each of its customers.
“During our first meeting we’ll establish a narrative and, if relevant, the focus of the message we are to portray,” he says. “Secondly, we like to establish ground rules and boundaries to the narrative that need to be strictly adhered to from day one.
“Once we’ve established these parameters, we’ll generally move on to discuss the available space, building constraints, timescales and budgets, from which we’ll begin to create and produce an initial guide proposal.
“Further to the outcome of this discussion, we’ll work-up a concept design proposal, which includes concept drawings, example elevations, an overall masterplan and a detailed cost sheet.
“Once all these items are agreed, the project commences proper and we move on to the detailed design and build phases.”
Inspired thinking When it comes to design, RMA’s staff draw inspiration from a number of places. These, according to Knight, include anything from existing attractions and cutting edge technologies on display at trade shows, to a television show or a sound heard while driving to work.
“Inspiration comes from the need to provide a solution to a previously unanswered question,” he says. “The whole point of a creative designer is to develop solutions that will be perceived as new and fresh and exciting.”
A changing industry The attractions industry is constantly changing, with new trends and events shifting what is in right now and what will the public respond to. As a leading deisgn firm, RMA is at the forefront of this, always adapting its offering to meet the expectations of the changing marketplace.
“From an RMA perspective, there seems to be a swing away from production-based attraction shows and 4D theatres and towards themed, often IP-based park areas that feature many rides heavily integrated within the theming,” says Knight.
“From a personal perspective, I think it would be fantastic if our British and European parks considered following in the footsteps of the likes of Universal Studios and Disney, whereby the parks are beautifully themed and feature as many different formats of entertainment as possible, rather than restricting the entertainment to multiple mechanical rides.”
Creative minds For RMA, the company is keen to be involved in any project, regardless of size, as long as it feels it can add something worthwhile to the complete experience.
“We’re a group of creative minds,” concludes Knight. “Any project, regardless of size or budget, will allow us the opportunity to be challenged.”
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
People profile: Anton Vidal
Anton Vidal is director general of Poble Espanyol which has completed a 10-year, €10m improvement plan
Interview: Coen Bertens
Fairytale theme park Efteling has
gone from strength to strength
during its 65-year history, enchanting
more visitors last year than
ever before. We talk to COO Coen
Bertens about its success
Promotional feature: EAS - Learning curves
This year’s Euro Attractions Show promises to
be the biggest in the history of the event, with
a brand new schedule of seminars to match
Aquariums: High Waters
We visited the brand new Aquatis
Aquarium-Vivarium in Switzerland
for a journey through our planet’s
freshwater environments
Promotional feature: nWave - The big picture
With more than two decades
of experience creating high quality
original content, nWave looks
ahead as it continues to produce
its own industry-leading creations
Analysis: TEA/AECOM Theme Index 2017
The TEA/AECOM Report 2017 shows major theme park
operators had an outstanding year, while stabilised global
economies and strong investment planning bodes well
for the global attractions industry going forward
Analysis: EMEA Focus
Margreet Papamichael, founder of CLEAR Associates about what The TEA/AECOM Report 2017 means for the EMEA region
Review: MuseumNext
Intellectuals from across the
museums sector gathered recently for
the European edition of MuseumNext
Theme parks: Playing the Looney Tune
As new and exciting leisure opportunities
increase in the Middle East, Yas
Island welcomes the US$1bn Warner
Bros World Abu Dhabi. We speak to
the two key members of the team
behind the landmark project
Museums: License to Thrill
A brand new James Bond visitor attraction,
nestled snugly inside a mountain peak
in Sölden, Austria, opened this July. We
talked to the operator and architect
Nigel has worked in the leisure industry since 1986. He’s responsible for the technical design of our mechanical, optical and electronic special effects systems. He also storyboards, scripts, records and directs our productions before heading into our studio to add music and effects
Andy Sinclair-Harris Senior concept designer
Andy Sinclair-Harris
Andy has recently joined the team and brings with him a wealth of design experience and substantial knowledge base in computer-based art design. Originally trained in theatre design, Andy has spent his career working in the themed entertainment sector, the majority of that at Walt Disney Imagineering
Lee Taylor Senior production designer
Lee Taylor
Lee recently joined RMA from the commercial interior design sector. His AutoCad skills are exceptional, which allow us the fantastic ability to design all aspects of an attraction in three dimensions
RMA team
Nick Arnold - Technical manager Our principle audio-visual designer, Nick can be found creating sound, lighting and video systems
Angela Basker - Artwork designer Angela handles the design of our graphics and information panels, art boards and signage
Nik Kirby - Construction manager Nik is responsible for managing and supervising our on-site construction works
Simon Prophet - Construction manager Simon is responsible for managing and supervising our on-site construction works
Leeann Holden - Project coordinator Leeann is responsible for the coordination of all projects running at any point in time at RMA
Among its creations, RMA masterplanned the new Peppa Pig-themed area
Among its creations, RMA masterplanned the new the Lost Kingdom at Paultons Park
RMA has a newly-upgraded sound studio at its disposal
RMA Ltd is a design and build company that specialises in themed attractions, theme parks, auditorium and 4D theatre shows, and dark rides. At its helm, managing director Nigel Knight says the company is here to deliver exciting new projects to wider audience than ever before.
Established in 1993, RMA has designed and built some of the most high-profile attractions in the UK and around the world.
The company has worked on many high profile projects In Britain, including the Jorvik Viking Centre in York.
For Jorvik, RMA has carried out a number of refurbishment projects, the most recent being a complete rebuild following catastrophic flooding in the city.
Cadbury World in Birmingham has also been a long-term client, with RMA recently carrying out the design and installation of the attraction’s 4D cinema experience.
At Drayton Manor, RMA designed and built the park’s Thomas World, creating an environment true to the iconic brand.
RMA also highlights among its signature projects two attractions at Paultons Park in Romsey – the prehistoric Lost Kingdom and the popular Peppa Pig World.
A world class approach With substantial pedigree, RMA wants to expand its ever-increasing attractions portfolio. According to Knight, the company has a lot to offer any client.
“We’ll take on anything we feel we can add significant value to,” he says. “Whether it be a smaller area of theming, an odd sound or special effect, a grand 4D auditorium show or even a dark ride with all the above.”
RMA offers total design, build and production services, meaning it’s able to provide a wide enough knowledge and skills base to get projects off the ground and open to the public.
Another string to the RMA bow is its newly-upgraded sound recording studio, where it produces all of its music soundtracks and special effects.
“Some of our more complex sound tracks can take a few months to design, record and mix,” says Knight.
“Having our own facility allows us the freedom to tweak these productions up to the day the attraction is opened to the public without the delays of waiting for commercial facilities to become available. We can also easily update a soundtrack at a later date, should the client require changes.”
A mission of quality While already offering a complete production service, RMA wants to continually expand its offering in order to give clients the very best service possible. This is set out with its aim, mission and company philosophy.
“Our aim is to continue to grow our offering, to be prepared to diversify and adopt new ways of thinking so that every new project provides an even better overall experience than the one that came before it,” says Knight.
“For our mission, we strive to design and build the best quality experiences – and to do so without compromise – so that the interpretation of the narrative is as good as we can possibly make it.
“Our philosophy is simple: ‘You’re only as good as your last project’.”
According to Knight, RMA’s unique selling point is its ability to design and build an attraction or themed area from the ground up through to handover, including productions, media content, sound and lighting systems, mechanical special effects systems, projection and video systems and animatronics.
To achieve this, the company has a set out process, which it uses to create a quality experience for each of its customers.
“During our first meeting we’ll establish a narrative and, if relevant, the focus of the message we are to portray,” he says. “Secondly, we like to establish ground rules and boundaries to the narrative that need to be strictly adhered to from day one.
“Once we’ve established these parameters, we’ll generally move on to discuss the available space, building constraints, timescales and budgets, from which we’ll begin to create and produce an initial guide proposal.
“Further to the outcome of this discussion, we’ll work-up a concept design proposal, which includes concept drawings, example elevations, an overall masterplan and a detailed cost sheet.
“Once all these items are agreed, the project commences proper and we move on to the detailed design and build phases.”
Inspired thinking When it comes to design, RMA’s staff draw inspiration from a number of places. These, according to Knight, include anything from existing attractions and cutting edge technologies on display at trade shows, to a television show or a sound heard while driving to work.
“Inspiration comes from the need to provide a solution to a previously unanswered question,” he says. “The whole point of a creative designer is to develop solutions that will be perceived as new and fresh and exciting.”
A changing industry The attractions industry is constantly changing, with new trends and events shifting what is in right now and what will the public respond to. As a leading deisgn firm, RMA is at the forefront of this, always adapting its offering to meet the expectations of the changing marketplace.
“From an RMA perspective, there seems to be a swing away from production-based attraction shows and 4D theatres and towards themed, often IP-based park areas that feature many rides heavily integrated within the theming,” says Knight.
“From a personal perspective, I think it would be fantastic if our British and European parks considered following in the footsteps of the likes of Universal Studios and Disney, whereby the parks are beautifully themed and feature as many different formats of entertainment as possible, rather than restricting the entertainment to multiple mechanical rides.”
Creative minds For RMA, the company is keen to be involved in any project, regardless of size, as long as it feels it can add something worthwhile to the complete experience.
“We’re a group of creative minds,” concludes Knight. “Any project, regardless of size or budget, will allow us the opportunity to be challenged.”
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
People profile: Anton Vidal
Anton Vidal is director general of Poble Espanyol which has completed a 10-year, €10m improvement plan
Interview: Coen Bertens
Fairytale theme park Efteling has
gone from strength to strength
during its 65-year history, enchanting
more visitors last year than
ever before. We talk to COO Coen
Bertens about its success
Promotional feature: EAS - Learning curves
This year’s Euro Attractions Show promises to
be the biggest in the history of the event, with
a brand new schedule of seminars to match
Aquariums: High Waters
We visited the brand new Aquatis
Aquarium-Vivarium in Switzerland
for a journey through our planet’s
freshwater environments
Promotional feature: nWave - The big picture
With more than two decades
of experience creating high quality
original content, nWave looks
ahead as it continues to produce
its own industry-leading creations
Analysis: TEA/AECOM Theme Index 2017
The TEA/AECOM Report 2017 shows major theme park
operators had an outstanding year, while stabilised global
economies and strong investment planning bodes well
for the global attractions industry going forward
Analysis: EMEA Focus
Margreet Papamichael, founder of CLEAR Associates about what The TEA/AECOM Report 2017 means for the EMEA region
Review: MuseumNext
Intellectuals from across the
museums sector gathered recently for
the European edition of MuseumNext
Theme parks: Playing the Looney Tune
As new and exciting leisure opportunities
increase in the Middle East, Yas
Island welcomes the US$1bn Warner
Bros World Abu Dhabi. We speak to
the two key members of the team
behind the landmark project
Museums: License to Thrill
A brand new James Bond visitor attraction,
nestled snugly inside a mountain peak
in Sölden, Austria, opened this July. We
talked to the operator and architect
Nigel has worked in the leisure industry since 1986. He’s responsible for the technical design of our mechanical, optical and electronic special effects systems. He also storyboards, scripts, records and directs our productions before heading into our studio to add music and effects
Andy Sinclair-Harris Senior concept designer
Andy Sinclair-Harris
Andy has recently joined the team and brings with him a wealth of design experience and substantial knowledge base in computer-based art design. Originally trained in theatre design, Andy has spent his career working in the themed entertainment sector, the majority of that at Walt Disney Imagineering
Lee Taylor Senior production designer
Lee Taylor
Lee recently joined RMA from the commercial interior design sector. His AutoCad skills are exceptional, which allow us the fantastic ability to design all aspects of an attraction in three dimensions
RMA team
Nick Arnold - Technical manager Our principle audio-visual designer, Nick can be found creating sound, lighting and video systems
Angela Basker - Artwork designer Angela handles the design of our graphics and information panels, art boards and signage
Nik Kirby - Construction manager Nik is responsible for managing and supervising our on-site construction works
Simon Prophet - Construction manager Simon is responsible for managing and supervising our on-site construction works
Leeann Holden - Project coordinator Leeann is responsible for the coordination of all projects running at any point in time at RMA
Among its creations, RMA masterplanned the new Peppa Pig-themed area
Among its creations, RMA masterplanned the new the Lost Kingdom at Paultons Park
RMA has a newly-upgraded sound studio at its disposal
The UK spa review and discovery platform for consumers, the Good Spa Guide, has announced
it will host the Good Spa Guide Awards 2026 during an event on 16 November at Sopwell House
Hotel in St Albans, UK.
Eighty-four per cent of consumers now say wellness is a top priority in their lives, with this
percentage increasing year on year, according to a preview presentation of McKinsey’s Future of
Wellness 2026 research report.
Mass protests have been taking place since Monday 1 June in Albania over the development of
a luxury resort by Donald Trump’s daughter Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner.
Global Wellness Day (GWD) marked its 15th anniversary on Saturday 13 June 2026, with the
theme: #JoyMagenta – a celebration of the healing qualities of simple gestures and activities
that spark joy.
Global luxury hospitality brand, Six Senses, has partnered with longevity healthcare provider,
HUM2N, to launch a clinic at Six Senses London, at The Whiteley.
As part of its first hotel partnership, Mayrlife – the medical health resort company known for its
site in Altaussee, Austria – has launched a day clinic at the Rosewood Vienna.
Premium London health club, KX Chelsea, will imminently unveil its most significant
redevelopment since its launch in 2002 to create an integrated wellness model combining
training, recovery and relaxation.
Rosewood Le Guanahani St Barth, on the northeast coast of Saint Barthélemy in the French
West Indies, is offering a programme of ocean-inspired yoga classes between 8-14 June to
celebrate Global Wellness Day (GWD).
Hotel de France, located on the British Isle of Jersey, has created a wellness retreat package
that includes a hot yoga session that will take place in Jersey Zoo’s butterfly sanctuary.
The Ritz-Carlton, Langkawi, in Malaysia, has revealed a schedule for Global Wellness Day
(GWD) that includes guided rainforest walks, mindful movement and guided coastal meditation
experiences.
