The LIA Team
AT THE HEART OF LIGHTING
The LIA team has a plethora of knowledge, expertise, and skills to illuminate the future of the lighting industry. Our dedicated professionals are at the heart of lighting, driving innovation and excellence through their deep understanding and passion for all things related to lighting. With decades of combined experience and a commitment to the highest standards, The LIA team will assist members to achieve brilliance in every project.
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/
Melissa Duckett
Mel Duckett is the Finance & HR Manager and Company Secretary at The LIA, where she has worked for the past nine years. Since November 2021, she has overseen the organisation’s financial operations, managed HR responsibilities, and handled Health and Safety duties. Her thorough approach keeps essential functions running smoothly, enhancing efficiency and compliance within The LIA.
With great attention to detail and a strategic mindset, Mel has significantly contributed to the organisation’s financial growth and operational excellence. Her commitment to a safe and supportive work environment highlights her multifaceted contributions to The LIA.
Outside of work, Mel is an avid gardener. She enjoys spending her free time tending to her allotment, where she grows a variety of plants and vegetables. Gardening provides her with a peaceful retreat and a creative outlet, balancing the analytical demands of her career.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-duckett-191905192/
Teresa Beazley
With over 25 years of experience in Human Resources, Teresa specialises in talent management lifecycles and organisational development, with expertise gained from both public and private sectors. Her extensive background spans industries such as rail, automotive, manufacturing, engineering, and business services. A recognised thought leader, Teresa is a Top Talent Management Voice on LinkedIn and a Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute for Professional Development (CIPD).
Throughout her career, Teresa has successfully implemented strategic initiatives that enhance workforce capabilities to drive sustainable success, with a keen focus on the digitisation of accessible capacity building programmes and competency frameworks. She is passionate about bridging existing and emerging skills gaps through innovative, proactive approaches, ensuring that both employees and businesses are well-equipped for the future.
A positive disrupter, Teresa is dedicated to aligning human capital strategies and challenging the status quo around where, why, and what defines an effective talent pipeline, and her commitment to excellence in this space has consistently delivered measurable improvements to employee engagement, performance, and retention.
Dan Griffiths
Dan Griffiths is a dedicated member of the Lighting Industry Association (LIA) in the role of Technical Operations Manager. He is bringing his expertise and enthusiasm for the lighting industry to the organisation. Committed to collaboration and progress, Dan actively participates in LIA initiatives that promote best practices, innovation, and the positive impact of lighting on people and the environment.
With over 14 years of lighting industry experience, Dan is a creative professional with a unique blend of product design and lighting design expertise. With a background in lighting controls and commissioning, he leverages his understanding of user experience, aesthetics, and technical knowledge to help members provide the best lighting solutions. Dan is passionate about optical design and photometry and looks to bring a greater focus to the industry on the importance of photometry.
Leveraging his in-depth knowledge of lighting technologies and applications to support the organisation's mission. He plays a key role in developing industry standards, educational resources, and advocacy efforts related to photometry, dark skies, smart lighting systems and sustainability. Dan's commitment to advancing the technical landscape of the lighting industry ensures that LIA members have access to the latest information and best practices.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-griffiths1987/
Sarah Ellis
Sarah is the new Lab Operations Manager at The LIA with over 7 years experience working within ISO 17025 accredited laboratories. Her expertise lie in optimising lab processes, ensuring compliance with rigorous quality standards, and delivering accurate data.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahaellis/
Jack Adams
Jack Adams, the Laboratory Manager at LIA Laboratory, boasts a decade of experience with the team. He attended the University in Sheffield, earning a degree in Electronic Engineering, and is also a qualified electrician, providing a solid background in installation. Jack’s tenure at the LIA has been defined by his dedication to advancing laboratory standards and ensuring top-quality testing & services, contributing to the lab’s status as one of only four NCBs in the UK. Beyond work, Jack enjoys watching movies, spending time with his wife, and caring for their fluffy cats.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-adams-9a80a4150/
Meg Henshaw
Meg is an accomplished Marketing Manager with a proven track record in diverse industries, including B2C and B2B sectors. She holds a Certificate in Professional Marketing from the Chartered Institute of Marketing and a degree in Graphic Design and Multimedia. Meg has been the driving force behind our effective PR, marketing, and communications strategy, driving sustained change in the way we engage with our members, key stakeholders, and the wider industry.
Her expertise spans Content Marketing, Social Media, Digital Marketing, Adobe Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator), HTML, CRM, CMS, and Event Planning. Having held notable positions in various manufacturing industries, she has been with The LIA since March 2023, earning the nickname 'Marketing Magician' among her peers.
Outside of work, Meg enjoys time with her family and two cats (Gandalf and Luther), supports Everton FC, loves rock music, and proudly sports numerous tattoos.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/meg-h-b5104a163
Paul Sargent
Paul Sargent is a lighting industry expert who contributes to the Lighting Industry Association’s membership offering sharing his knowledge and practical experience through courses on lighting, specifically covering topics like LIAQA Factory Auditing and Eco-design for Lighting. Paul has an established technical background in quality, compliance, and engineering. Paul is degree educated in Electronics and Communications Engineering with over 30 years of technical experience including 10 years in the lighting sector.
Since assuming his role as the Lighting Industry Association’s LIAQA and Overseas Activity manager, Paul has (with Andy Guest) implemented the LIA’s Quality Assurance scheme, LIAQA. Paul and Andy collaboratively run the LIAQA Scheme visiting LIAQA members to review their quality systems and offer advice and guidance. Paul has also established an LIA inspection service in China providing supplier audits and pre-shipment inspections for LIA members on request. Furthermore, Paul travels to China and India delivering training and approval for LIAQA members staff located in China and India.
Paul is a liked and respected member of the lighting industry sector with a unique style of professionalism.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-sargent-075b31b6/
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:
- [email protected]
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-guest-89205139/
Kieran Merrills
Kieran has over 20 years of experience working in a wide range of laboratories in different industry sectors, after working in the safety laboratory at The LIA since 2019 Kieran has made the step up to the role of Certification Manager. Using the knowledge from safety testing of luminaires, LED modules & control gears to International (IEC), European (EN) & British (BS) testing standards he is able to manage and advise on The LIA’s (TSD & LIASC) and ICEEE’s (CB certificate) certification schemes.
Kieran’s experience of working to recognised testing standards in other labs as well as within the lighting industry has helped him develop the skills and knowledge to provide technical support and advice to LIA members for ongoing projects within the Certification department, for future projects and to explain testing clauses from the testing standards. This technical knowledge as well as that of the wider laboratory team has helped The LIA Laboratory become recognised as being at the fore front of testing and technical expertise in the lighting industry.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/kieran-merrills-7b0324273/
Seth Sargent
Seth has been working in the LIA laboratory for 6 years. Starting his career at 17 as a technician, Seth's passion for safety and compliance has driven his rise to the role of Laboratory Engineer, he now oversees a wide range of testing and ensures adherence to numerous safety and compliance standards. Seth's expertise and commitment to quality make him a valuable asset to the LIA Laboratory, where his meticulous attention to detail and thorough understanding of standards contribute significantly to the lab's ongoing success.
Seth conducts a variety of tests to many different safety and compliance standards. He is well-versed in the requirements of the 60598 series of standards for luminaire safety and compliance. Additionally, Seth is expanding his expertise in Photometry and performs Photobiological safety testing in accordance with the 62471 standard. While Seth mainly focuses on the safety and compliance of luminaires, he also assesses certain components, electronic devices, and enclosures to their relevant safety standards.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/seth-sargent-783324273/
Kyle Lindsay
Kyle is a recently appointed technician at LIA, where he is eager to apply his strong foundation in electrical installation. Kyle recently earned his diploma in electrical installation and is passionate about staying up to date with the latest industry trends and technologies. He is committed to leveraging their skills to ensure high-quality work and contribute to The LIA’s success. Outside of work, Kyle enjoys going to the gym and spending time with his family, which fuels their creativity and problem-solving abilities in the field.
Lawrence Barling
As Senior Technical Manager for The LIA, Lawrence is responsible for the technical activities of the association including supporting members in all aspects of EU Directives, Regulations and Standards.
Lawrence has over 40 years’ experience in the lighting industry having worked in product development, standardisation and regulatory roles for Thorn, GE, the Lighting Association and the LIA. He represents the LIA and its members on many UK, EU and International (IEC) committees for lighting related subjects. He is Chair of the BSI Lamp committee and Convenor of the IEC Working Group for caps and holders. He was Chair of the IEC Lamp committee SC34A for 12 years and has received two IEC 1906 awards for his work at IEC. Lawrence also received the LIA Presidents award in 2024.
Lawrence is also actively involved with the EU trade association for lighting, LightingEurope, and represents LIA on many LightingEurope committees working with the EU Commission on subjects like future ERP and Energy Labelling Regulations.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/lawrence-barling-6887255/
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:
- [email protected]
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/stuart-burns-29006b34/
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.
Chloe Leatherland
Chloe is the Membership Engagement Executive for the LIA, she is enthusiastic and dedicated to building and nurturing strong member relationships, with a passion for community engagement and a knack for creative solutions. Chloe is the first point of contact for new members and a continuous support pillar for the duration of LIA Membership. In this role Chloe is also involved with assisting with the administration of events and dabbling in the accounts department as this is where her career started with the LIA.
Outside of work Chloe enjoys going for long family walks with her 2 dogs Elsie and Hogan whether this be taking a drive to the beach for a walk or just nipping around the corner for a long wood walk. She also has an interest in makeup and will quite often design a face to remove only an hour later!
Morgan Thomas
Morgan is a dedicated and ambitious Business Apprentice with a passion for learning and growing in the lighting industry. Currently enrolled in a comprehensive apprenticeship program, Morgan is gaining hands-on experience in various aspects of business operations, including Events, finance and strategic planning.
Outside of work, Morgan enjoys going on walks, shopping and boxing. Morgan believes that the skills and experiences she is gaining as a Business Apprentice will be invaluable in her future career with The LIA and is eager to make a positive impact within the lighting industry.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/morgan-thomas-2290ab228/
