LIA Learner of the Year 2025: In Conversation with David Baxter and John Estabrook of Tamlite
David Baxter – Tamlite Lighting
Let’s start with the moment – how did it feel hearing your name called at The LIA Annual Lunch?
Honestly? Delight. Just pure happiness. I was genuinely honoured to be a finalist, so to hear my name announced was the cherry on top. I’d put real effort into the course and the final project, and it was incredibly affirming to know that it was so well received. The recognition really meant something.
Tell me a little bit about how you got started in the lighting industry. What made you want to join the sector?
I’d moved to Shropshire almost 20 years ago to work with my brother, but after a number of years, I knew I needed to do something different. I’d always been fascinated by lighting, even as a child, and found myself gravitating toward a lighting division within a Telford company.
What started as supporting the team and going on site visits eventually became full-on lighting design work. I taught myself the ropes, handled a range of projects, and realised this was the direction I wanted to go in. That’s what led me to Tamlite, somewhere I could focus solely on lighting, day in, day out.
What’s the one thing you’ve learned recently that made you think, this is why I love the industry?
It was during the Learner of the Year project actually. I was working on The LIA certificate course and realised how rewarding it is to put a little more of yourself into a project. It reminded me that every scheme is an investment for someone, not just another job to tick off. Lighting has real impact, it can affect wellbeing, productivity, even how people feel in a space. It's that powerful.
Has there been something specific that’s really shaped your development in your role?
Yes, the learning journey itself. When I joined Tamlite, I hadn’t done emergency lighting design before. I flagged it early, and the business supported me to do an ICEL course right away. That mindset of learning and progressing never really stopped.
The course gave me tools to analyse projects differently, especially around controls and circadian lighting. I now spend more time considering alternative solutions and how they support the customer. Even compass direction and natural daylight, I find myself thinking about things that weren’t always on my radar.
We often hear about the award, but not the graft – what did the last year look like in terms of learning and growth?
Busy, if I’m honest. It was a real balancing act between supporting our customers and finding the headspace to do the course well. What I liked was that the programme wasn’t one-dimensional, it had coursework, tests, real-world application, and that structure helped.
I took it step by step. The work I was doing day-to-day fed into the learning, and vice versa. It wasn’t a tick-box exercise, it really challenged me to embed what I was learning into live projects, and that’s stuck with me.
If you could give one piece of advice to the next wave of learners in The LIA, what would it be?
Just do it. Lighting’s constantly changing, whether it’s new policies, technologies, or sustainability standards, there’s always something to learn. The LIA courses aren’t just about lighting knowledge; they’re about demonstrating your ability to grow, think differently, and step up in the sector. I’ve got no hesitation in recommending them.
Quickfire: what’s your favourite lighting product or technology right now?
Tough one – I’ve got a few ideas in mind, but for me it’s our Circa Pendant. It’s extremely versatile and as well as being a great luminaire, it’s TM66 verified and made in Britain.
John Estabrook – Tamlite Lighting
What was your reaction when you found out your team member had been awarded LoY?
I wasn’t surprised, to be honest. I knew he’d win it. David’s put the work in and it’s great to see that recognised, not just for him, but for the business as well.
What impact has there been on the wider team or business – both from the recognition and the learning?
There’s definitely been a positive ripple effect. David’s not only developed himself, but he’s helping others too. He’s taken a trainee under his wing who’s now doing the updated version of the course. That kind of knowledge sharing really adds value to the team.
When David first joined, there were a few areas, like using ReluxCAD, that were new to him. Now, he’s flying. Watching that transformation and knowing that the course played a part in that has been fantastic.
From your perspective, what does this award say about the importance of investing in professional development in the sector?
It says a lot. The lighting industry is always moving, and there’s value in training at every stage, whether you’ve been in it a year or a decade. Courses like this give people a deeper understanding of not just the tech, but the history and context of lighting. That foundation helps shape better designers, better decisions, and ultimately a better industry.