SUSTAINABILITY (SUST TC)
Sustainability in lighting is becoming increasingly important and legislated for. With the growing recognition of the impact of energy consumption on the environment and the need to reduce carbon emissions, sustainable lighting has become a key consideration for many building projects and retrofitting initiatives. In the UK, several regulations and initiatives have been introduced to promote sustainable lighting practices. By incorporating sustainable lighting practices into building designs and retrofitting initiatives, we can help create more energy-efficient and sustainable buildings for the future. Included within this are new rules for repairability which is becoming more and more desirable.
Key objectives:
- Demystify regulations (CBAM, SLR, etc.) with plain-English explainers.
- Answer the questions members ask most: “What must I do now?” and “What might I need to do later?
- Drive member engagement in progressing Sustainability TC tasks or rationalise tasks.
Meet the Committee:
Group Chair:
Neil McLean
Neil McLean leads industry and government relations for Europe and Asia at Lutron Electronics, working across electric as well as daylighting, solar-shading and building automation.
He holds senior roles across the lighting and building technologies sector, including with the Lighting Industry Association (LIA), LightingEurope, ELCOMA in India and the British Blind and Shutter Association (BBSA), and also contributes to key European initiatives through his engagement with the EU Building Automation and Controls Association (EU.BAC) and the European Solar-Shading Organisation (ES-SO).
Neil is a strong advocate for moving beyond merely product-focused regulation towards system-level approaches that combine energy performance, lighting quality, and human wellbeing.
Vice Chair:
Saima Quayum
Group Secretary:
Caroline Johnson
Caroline is an enthusiastic technical manager with 35 years of experience within the lighting industry. She has led laboratory, compliance and quality teams and has been emersed in lighting legislation and regulatory practices. She brings a wealth of knowledge and technical expertise. Committed to -and enthused about- the development of the industry and an increased diversity within the field.
Roger Heyworth
Experienced Application Manager with a demonstrated history of working in the lighting industry for nearly 35 years. Skilled in Lighting, Lighting Control, Solid State Lighting, Lighting Design, Architectural Lighting and horticultural lighting. Proud to be a member of the LIA Technical Board and Vice Chair of the Connected Lighting Technical Committee.
Stewart Langdown
Stewart Langdown is a seasoned professional in the lighting industry, renowned for his exceptional contributions and expertise in lighting control. With more than 30 years of experience, he has established himself as a leading figure in this field.
Stewart's journey in the industry began with a foundation in Electronics and Construction before venturing into the lighting industry. Stewart's career has been heavily focused on Business Development, where he has been instrumental in introducing innovative Lighting technologies to new markets. Additionally, Stewart has a great passion for sustainable lighting which is evident in his advocacy efforts, as he continuously works to raise awareness about the benefits of smart technology and the importance of selecting appropriate technology to enhance building longevity.
Stewart is a Fellow of CIBSE the Society of Light and Lighting FSLL, and active member of their committees as well as Chair of the Lighting Industry Association Marketing TC.
Jack Crowch
Jack Crowch is the Product Development Manager at Illuma Lighting, bringing a wealth of experience from various technical roles across the lighting industry. He sets high standards for new product development, driven by his holistic approach to engineering. Jack believes that product development should go beyond merely balancing cost, performance, and sustainability. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the extensive time we spend under artificial lighting and the profound benefits it can offer, beyond what is detailed in datasheets. A staunch advocate for ambitious net-zero goals, Jack is motivated by the challenge of integrating sustainability with user benefits, continually pushing the boundaries of what lighting technology can achieve.
Andy Hughes
Andy Hughes started his career with Thorn Lighting Ltd. in 1978 and since 2010 has been Standards and Regulations Manager to the Zumtobel Group, the parent company of Thorn Lighting since 2000. In IEC, Andy has been a UK nominated expert to many of the committees and working groups of TC34 (Lighting) since 1990, alongside his work in the mirroring committees of BSI and CENELEC. From 2010 to 2019 Andy was the Chair of SC34D (Luminaires) and was Convenor of the SC34D Working Group LUMEX (WG1) from 2008 to 2024. Outside of IEC, Andy has been Chair of the Lighting Industry Association Technical Board since 2012 and also represents his company within the European trade association LightingEurope.
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.
Sachin Pisavadia
Design Engineering Manager with several years’ experience of delivering successful & sustainable industrial & public space lighting products.
Kevin Stubbs
I lead ML’s technical team for compliance and work with our design team to continuously improve product design.
I am passionate about sharing my knowledge and experience - as others have shared with me during my lighting career.
Continuous learning is essential in lighting, so being an active member of LIA & ICEL technical committees helps me, develop, share & maintain good practice, safety guidance and standards within the Lighting and Construction industries.
My 45+ year experience lighting career includes:
- Design, Research, Development, Testing and Application of Standard and Bespoke Luminaires, Lighting, Lighting Controls, Emergency Lighting, Integrated Ceiling, Chilled Beam & Air Supply and Exhaust.
- Lighting Design, Project Management, Product Design, Manufacturing and Production Engineering.
- Sustainable Design, Circular Economy, Re-use, Repair & Remanufacture (helping write BS8887-221 guidance) for lighting as well as Energy Management
I have a particular interest in Emergency Lighting and Life Safety systems after parallel experience in the Royal Naval Reserve – where my training included taking part in and taking control of real fire-fighting situations.
I am a Fellow of the Society of Light and Lighting and SLL Council Member, Member of CIBSE Knowledge Management Committee, Chair of CIBSE TM66-Emergency Lighting Group, and have been a member of the LIA Tech Committees and Tech Board for 15 years.
Rob Waters
I am a Chartered Engineer with 17 years of experience in the lighting industry and have a passion for all things lighting centric. Starting off as a Technical Apprentice at Thorlux Lighting in 2007, my career has focused on luminaire technical compliance and innovative product development. Looking ahead, I aim to drive sustainable solutions in the lighting market to help the industry achieve a truly circular economy.
Ayça Donaghy
Ayça Donaghy is a dynamic leader in the lighting industry, currently serving as the CEO of the Lighting Industry Association. With over 15 years of experience in the broader electro-technical sector, coupled with a recent Executive MBA from London Business School, Ayça combines strategic thinking, team management, and a dedication to sustainability, diversity, and innovation. Her diverse background in sales leadership, teaching, and acting contributes to her strong communication and presentation skills, making her an ideal spokesperson for the industry.
Since assuming her role nearly three years' ago, Ayça has spearheaded a series of groundbreaking initiatives, including university competitions aimed at bridging the skills gap and launching events and webinars to enhance awareness of critical issues like sustainability, compliance, and competence. Furthermore, she has been instrumental in advocating for comprehensive and enforceable regulations. Through direct engagement with industry stakeholders and the UK government, Ayça has played a crucial role in propelling the industry's mission and amplifying its voice on a national level.
Her impact and foresight have recently been acknowledged by her selection for the '40under40' competition in 2023 and 2024.
- Email:
- aycad@thelia.org.uk
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/ayca-donaghy/
Andy Guest
Andy is an experienced electrical / electronic engineer working with the LIA since 2003, with a technical engineering background and extensive experience in supply chains from manufacturing through to end use, Andy is well placed to understand the challenges faced by all areas of the lighting industry.
Engagement with manufacturers, support organisations and individuals in the lighting industry is a key aspect of Andy’s role. Through his work with LIA quality system audits and support, alongside his role as part of the LIA training team, he has a strong focus on ensuring members of the lighting fraternity are conversant with latest legislative requirements and best practice.
Through working closely with both the laboratory and other members of the LIA technical team, and being an active member of several LIA technical committees and external regulatory committees Andy has an excellent knowledge of standards, legislation and compliance which is key to supporting LIA members and the ongoing professional development within the industry.
- Email:
- andyg@thelia.org.uk
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-guest-89205139/
Stuart Burns
Stuart has over 27 years’ experience in the lighting and electro-technical industries, having worked in product quality, compliance, laboratory, standardisation and regulatory roles for many companies including the Lighting Association and The LIA. Stuart has exceptional, proven leadership skills within the quality, compliance and technical fields and has developed technical processes and documentation, including technical files, for a several large multinational organisations.
Stuart represents The LIA and its members on many UK (BSI), EU (CENELEC) and International (IEC) committees for lighting related subjects. He is Chair of the BSI Lamps and related equipment committee (CPL/34) which is a mirror committee for IEC TC34, and is Convenor of the IEC Working Groups for Luminaires, Emergency Lighting and Lightsources.
Stuart is also actively involved with the EU trade association for lighting, LightingEurope, and represents LIA on many LightingEurope committees including Group Emergency Lighting, Group Digital and Working Group Value of Light.
- Email:
- stuartb@thelia.org.uk
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/stuart-burns-29006b34/
Mitchel Waite
Mitch is an experienced lighting professional with over 17 years in the industry, now serving as Industry Relations Leader for the UK and Europe within the Standards Development team at Lutron. In this role, he works at the intersection of technology, policy, and industry collaboration—helping to shape and influence lighting standards, regulations, and best practices across the region.
He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Kent, alongside Product Leadership training from the Chartered Institute of Marketing and advanced certifications from the Lighting Industry Association. These foundations underpin his broad expertise across both commercial and technical aspects of lighting.
Prior to his current role, Mitch built a strong track record in Product Management, leading cross-functional teams to deliver innovative lighting and control solutions—from consumer-focused products to professional platforms. This experience provides him with a practical, market-driven perspective when contributing to standards development and industry initiatives.
A committed advocate for responsible and human-focused lighting, Mitch actively supports initiatives on lighting quality and has contributed to sustainability efforts within the industry, including work recognised in CIBSE guidance on embodied carbon (TM65.2). He is passionate about aligning innovation with environmental responsibility and improving how lighting impacts both people and the planet.
Outside of his professional work, Mitch enjoys staying engaged with emerging technology trends, as well as interests in film, music, and Formula 1.
- Email:
- mwaite@lutron.com
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitchel-waite/