Education and Training Committee
The main purpose of the Talent Task Force is to directly contribute to the identification, design, development, implementation, and evaluation of interventions and solutions to provide the lighting industry with the right skills, at the right time.
Aims and Objectives
- To ensure that learning and development opportunities are suitable, fit for purpose, and learner-centric.
- To provide over-arching governance for associated working groups.
- To provide expertise, guidance, and support to identify emerging skills gaps, contribute to effective career pathways, and build talent pipelines.
- To encourage engagement and retention within the lighting industry, through targeted initiatives that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Meet The Committee
Group Chair:
Graeme Shaw
Vice Chair:
Chris Wilkes
Group Secretary:
Phil Newell
- Email:
- philn@thelia.org.uk
Alex Lawlor
Hannah Smith
Hannah Smith is an accomplished technical support and lighting design leader with a strong track record in product development, team management, and innovation. As the Technical Support and Design Services Manager at Urbis Schreder, she plays a pivotal role in leading design engineers and technical support teams, driving high-quality service delivery and introducing cutting-edge solutions such as virtual reality and 3D concept designs.
Passionate about fostering new talent in the lighting industry, Hannah is committed to encouraging more individuals to actively choose careers in lighting rather than simply ‘falling into it.’ She recognises the urgent need to attract and develop the next generation, particularly in exterior lighting, where an ageing workforce is leading to a loss of expertise. With a history of mentoring professionals into successful careers, Hannah is eager to explore initiatives like apprenticeships to ensure a sustainable pipeline of skilled lighting professionals for the future.
Neil Parrot
As Product Design Director at DW Windsor Lighting, Neil has over 25 years of experience designing and developing technically advanced products across various industries. His career began at e2v Technologies, where he contributed to projects in space exploration, high-energy physics, and radar systems. As a principal designer, Neil played a key role in developing market-leading thermal imaging cameras used for search and rescue and surveillance operations.
For the past 15 years, Neil has focused his efforts on the lighting industry, leading design teams in creating efficient, sustainable and attractive exterior products. Working for DW Windsor he quickly gained promotion to lead their ambitious NPD programmes in amenity and contemporary sectors. Having gained this experience, he pivoted to a role as Design Manager for the Danish owned Riegen’s Lighting where he led the design team to delivering solutions for retail and commercial interiors.
He was then asked to return to DW Windsor Lighting to spearhead the design of a functional streetlighting range, an important strategic shift for the company. This range, now in its 2nd generation and has grown the companies turnover and profitability, cemented their presence in the functional lighting sector in the UK and Europe.
His expertise in new product development has enabled DW Windsor Lighting to streamline development process, integrating cutting-edge digital workflows. He embraces 3D printing, visualization, and simulation techniques as part of his process. Neil's leadership has accelerated product innovation and development cycles, making DW Windsor a leader in lighting solutions.
Peter Thorns
Peter has worked in Thorn Lighting and Zumtobel Group since 1985 where he has had a number of roles including electronics research and development, manufacturing, software development, photometry, optical design and lighting applications. He is the current Vice-President Standards for the CIE, chair of ISO/TC 274, and is involved in a large number of ISO, CEN and BSI committees. He is the chair of the LIA Building Regulations Technical Committee and of the LightingEurope working group on Value of Light. He is a Chartered Engineer and a Fellow of CIBSE and the SLL.