ICEL Council
ICEL Council members are pivotal architects of the emergency lighting industry's future, embodying the spirit of leadership, innovation, and commitment to excellence that defines ICEL.
Moreover, their dedication to promoting quality, safety, and professional development sets a benchmark for the industry, enhancing its reputation and ensuring its sustainable growth. Through their visionary leadership, ICEL Council members not only contribute to the immediate success of the association but also lay the groundwork for a safer, more innovative, and resilient future for emergency lighting globally.
Role and Importance of the ICEL:
ICEL's mission is to strengthen the industry and promote the benefits of good quality Emergency Lighting. It represents all aspects of UK, EU and international legislation and standards at the highest level, whilst protecting the interests of the public and its Members. A division of the Lighting Industry Association, it specialises in providing support to the market for Emergency Lighting requirements.
As a respected knowledge bank, ICEL serves as the go-to resource for members and the broader community, addressing emergency lighting questions and issues by:
✔️ Advancing Knowledge and Standards: Through the ICEL Emergency Lighting Technical Committee's diligent monitoring of industry developments, ICEL provides up-to-date information, advice, and briefings on emerging standards and technologies. This continuous learning environment ensures that all ICEL members are at the forefront of industry advancements.
✔️ Leading Representation: ICEL stands as the primary voice for emergency lighting interests, engaging with a wide range of stakeholders, including regulatory bodies, standard-setting organisations, and international forums. Our representation ensures that the interests of our members and the public are safeguarded and promoted at the highest levels.
✔️ Fostering Innovation and Collaboration: By encouraging the development of new technologies and solutions, ICEL members contribute to a culture of innovation within the industry. Collaboration among designers, manufacturers, distributors, installers, and maintainers fosters a holistic approach to addressing challenges and leveraging opportunities in emergency lighting.
✔️ Promoting Quality and Safety: Our commitment to promoting the benefits of high-quality emergency lighting directly impacts the safety and well-being of the public. ICEL’s rigorous advocacy for standards and best practices ensures that our industry continues to meet and exceed expectations for safety and performance.
✔️ Enhancing Professional Development: ICEL provides numerous opportunities for professional growth, including access to leading Emergency Lighting training, exclusive research, participation in committee work, and engagement in webinars relating to critical topics in the fast-evolving emergency lighting industry. These activities not only contribute to the individual development of our members but also to the collective expertise of the industry.
Meet The ICEL Council
ICEL Chair
Alan Daniels
Anthony MARTINDALE
A passionate and Experienced Senior Product Manager with extensive knowledge of Commercial Lighting and Heating, capable of developing and managing large value product lines ranging from $1m to $50M.
With over 14 years of Product Management experience, I hold an exceptional record in defining, developing and delivering on the goals and targets of the companies and customers I have worked for. I have a consistent track record of successfully managing large scale portfolios, while developing class leading products that meet current and future needs across multiple markets. I am extremely successful in coordinating large scale product launches across regions and particularly enjoy working with Marketing on the challenge of tailoring the portfolio and value propositions to suit
Craig J Meakin
Craig has worked within the electrical and lighting industry for over 20 years, starting as an electrician via a 5-year apprentice scheme with British Steel. Where he specialised in the maintenance and installation of electrical systems. Craig moved into construction project management for several years overseeing all aspects of the electrical installation for construction projects with a value of cira £10M.
Craig has also spent a period teaching post 16 year-olds within a college environment before his time in construction project management.
After Craig’s time in construction project management he worked within lighting sales in the UK to progress onto a Sales Director role, both for the UK and Export markets. Where he helped develop relationships with end users, electrical lighting consultants and electrical installers.
Craig has completed and passed several educational courses with his highest being a BSc degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering.
Craig has a wealth of experience advising customers regarding the selection of emergency lighting, signage products and systems to ensure the final solution is fit for purpose.
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/cjmeakin/
Darren Birch
My name is Darren Birch I am one of the global product managers responsible for emergency lighting at ABB Emergi-lite.
I have been a representative to ICEL for over 10 years and served the emergency lighting industry for 30 years.
I began my career at Menvier Swain Group (Cooper Lighting and safety, now Eaton) in the early 90's as an engineering apprentice and developed through various positions in R&D, application engineering and now product management. In 2014 I became the ABB (T&B Emergi-lite) global product manager for emergency central power supply system.
David French
Been in the emergency lighting industry since early 80s, originally at Ring Lighting in Leeds, then Existalite in Essex, and now been at Liteplan in Essex for the best part of thirty years
Emma Williams
Delighted to be working with LIA and ICEL as they continue to lead and drive the vibrant UK emergency lighting industry forward in its desire to ensure highest building life safety operation with supporting standards development and complete industry supply chain and building occupier compliance.
Capable, collaborative, resourceful, risk aware and adept business to business industry professional with private and public sector expertise and broad ranging circular economy and wider environmental interests. Willing, curious, constant learner helping drive positive outcomes in chosen activities.
ICEL Council experience commenced 2003 when working for P4 Limited as a key account and strategic marketing manager, returning to both P4 and ICEL in 2014 providing marketing communications and new business development support, co-opted to ICEL Council as an independent 2018 providing support with marketing direction.
Graham Dean
Graham has worked in the Lighting Industry for a good many years and started his journey with Osram’s OEM division in 2007. He has managed to gain a good all-round understanding of lighting technologies having worked initially with traditional light sources and embracing LED technology and Lighting Controls as these have been introduced and now dominate the market.
Since joining Emergency Lighting Products Ltd (ELP) in 2018 he has progressed to become Sales Director for the business in 2021. With ELP specialising in emergency lighting and predominantly selling to other lighting manufacturers (OEMs), having extensive experience working with OEMs over the years has proved invaluable.
Ian Watts
Ian Watts is highly positive in line with his LIA membership. The exciting uplift to ICEL council and ICEL technical board enables his positive views due to Convenor process for CEN 169 WG3 uplifting EN 1838 Emergency light levels in Europe and aligned with EN 50172 Application standard. Ian is also the FIA member of BS 5266-1 in line with his father Chris Watts who is the Chair of this standard. Excitingly this standard is being revised and higher emergency light levels are now suitably applied in the revised meetings.
Jonathan HINTON
My career in lighting spans over 3 decades, during which I have held various technical and managerial positions. I began as a lighting engineer, where I gained hands-on experience in designing, testing, and implementing emergency lighting solutions. Throughout my career, I have demonstrated strong leadership skills and a commitment to innovation. Over the years, I have progressed to senior roles, including Technical Director. In addition to my engineering expertise, I have extensive experience in regulatory compliance and have actively contributed to ensuring our products meet the highest levels of reliability and performance.
I am eager to bring my experience, passion, and dedication to the ICEL Board, and I am confident that together we can continue to make significant strides in enhancing the safety and effectiveness of emergency lighting systems.
Martin Afford
Martin Afford is Technical Manager for Emergency Lighting Products Ltd and Jordan Reflectors Ltd based in the United Kingdom. Both companies are part of the Jordan Reflektoren GmbH group which has its headquarters in Langenfeld, Germany.
Martin has worked in lighting for the past thirty years and has extensive knowledge of emergency lighting. He is chair of the Emergency Lighting Technical Committee and a member of the LIA Technical Board. He is also sits on the BSI Committees EL/1/1 Emergency Lighting and PH/8/1 Graphical Symbols - Safety Signs and is a member of the DALI Alliance and the Bluetooth special interest group.
Martin lives in Potters Bar and on most Sundays in the summer is found playing cricket for a local side who feel obliged to select him as he is the chairman of the club.
Martin GREEN
I have been with Hochiki for nearly 17 years and have over 30 years of industry experience.
My role as Commercial Training & Support Manager is to deliver fire alarm and emergency lighting product training to our staff, customers, and partners. I work closely with the Sales Team to identify training needs and deliver training to support the sales process and am the technical liaison between the sales team, customers, and the technical support team. I also deliver industry standards awareness training by way of CPD seminars, to installers, engineers, consultants, and other stakeholders to ensure they have a good understanding of the requirements and of designing and installing fire alarm and emergency lighting systems in accordance with the standards.
Rene Joppi
Rene Joppi is a veteran in the emergency lighting and lighting controls world. As the Managing Director for Mackwell, Rene is passionate about emergency lighting, its technologies and applications he is striving for the best solutions in the market. Rene has worked for various companies and in locations ranging from Austria, Switzerland, Dubai, the wider Middle east up to his current role at Mackwell in the UK. “ICEL is on of the most important bodies for the UK emergency lighting industry and I am proud that Mackwell and myself are part of this important institution”, Rene explains.
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/renejoppi/
Steve Saville
I have been working in the electrical industry for over 30 years, and almost 21 years’ experience in the lighting industry, with a real focus on emergency lighting. I have held several roles, including Service and Technical Management roles and Mains Lighting and Emergency Lighting (self-contained and CPS) Product Management positions. I have travelled extensively, covering regions in the Middle East and throughout Europe delivering technical and project support as well as systems and application training.
I currently sit on The LIA’s Industry Committee for Emergency Lighting (ICEL) technical Committee, Technical Council and the FIA’s Emergency Lighting Working Group.
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.
LIA Team on ICEL Council
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 over a year 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.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/ayca-donaghy/
Stuart Burns
As Technical Manager for the LIA, Stuart is responsible for the technical activities of the association including supporting members in all aspects of EU Directives, Regulations and Standards.
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:
- [email protected]
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/stuart-burns-29006b34/
