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SLL History

Building on over a century of history, the Society was originally founded as the Illuminating Engineering Society in 1909 with the aim of considering all applications of natural and artificial light. In 1978 the Society amalgamated with the Institution of Heating & Ventilating Engineers to form the Chartered Institution of Building Services, which became the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers in 1985.

The SLL recognises the expertise of the lighting community in tackling the challenges which face us all, considering the climate emergency, global political uncertainty, rapid technological change, significant societal shifts, and skills shortages. Throughout our history out members have understood the value of networking and sharing ideas and knowledge. Our thanks go to our Presidents and Chairs who have led the society through over 100 years of change and technological advances.

Below are the previous Lighting Division Chairs, IES UK Presidents and SLL Presidents.

SLL Presidents:  

Dan Lister - 2024

Helen Loomes – 2023

Andrew Bissell - 2022

Ruth Kelly Waskett - 2021

Bob Bohannon - 2020

Jim Shove - 2019

Iain Carlile - 2018

Richard Caple - 2017

Jeff Shaw - 2016

Liz Peck - 2015

John Aston - 2014

Kevin Kelly - 2013

Iain Macrae - 2012

Peter Raynham - 2011

Alan Tulla - 2010

Stephen Lisk - 2009

Patrick Baldrey - 2008

Stephen Cannon-Brookes - 2006

Geoffrey Cook - 2005

David Burton - 2004

Dr David Carter - 2003

Barrie Wilde - 2002

Mike Simpson - 2001

Professor Malcolm Parry - 2000

Bob Venning - 1999

 

Lighting Division Chairs:  

Anthony Slater - 1998

Ted Glenny - 1997

Paul Ruffles - 1996

Jean Heap - 1995

Iain Maclean - 1994

Hugh Ogus - 1993

Ron Simons - 1992

Alan Wilson - 1991

Lou Bedocs - 1990

David Loe - 1989

Kenneth Scott - 1988

 

M J E Frye - 1987

Professor Peter Boyce - 1986

Professor J A M Bell - 1985

Margaret Halstead - 1984

P T Stone - 1983

Mark Wood-Robinson - 1982

W N Shires - 1981

Robin Aldworth - 1980

Dr A R Bean - 1979

M B Clark - 1978

IES UK Presidents  

M B Clark - 1977

J B Collins -1976

K R Ackerman - 1975

D R H Phillips - 1974

A H Willoughby - 1973

G P Cundall - 1972

C Dykes Brown - 1971

H Hewitt - 1970

J B Harris OBE - 1969

Dr H H Ballin - 1968

H Carpenter - 1967

A H Olson - 1966

Prof R G Hopkinson - 1965

J W Strange - 1964

J S McCulloch - 1963

N Boydell - 1962

W T Souter - 1961

W S Stiles OBE FRS - 1960

H G Campbell - 1959

C C Smith - 1958

E B Sawyer - 1957

Dr W E Harper - 1956

G Higgins - 1955

E C Lennox - 1954

W R Stevens OBE - 1953

W J Wellwood Ferguson - 1952

J G Holmes  - 1951

L J Davies - 1950

Dr J N Aldington - 1949

J M Waldram - 1948

Dr J W T Walsh OBE - 1947

J S Dow - 1946

H C Weston OBE - 1945

E Stroud - 1944

H F Buckley - 1943

R O Ackerley - 1942

W J Jones - 1941

Prof J T McGregor-Morris - 1940

F C Smith MBE - 1939

Percy Good CBE - 1938

S English - 1937

A Cunnington - 1936

Alfred W Beuttell - 1935

H Hepworth Thompson - 1934

C W Sully - 1933

Haydn T Harrison - 1932

Sir Francis Goodenough CBE - 1931

The Rt Hon The Earl of Mount Edgcumbe TD - 1930

Dr J W T Walsh OBE - 1929

Sir Clifford Paterson OBE FRS - 1928

Sir Duncan Wilson CVO CBE - 1927

C H Wordingham CBE - 1924

Prof Sir John Parsons CBE FRS - 1921

A P Trotter - 1917

Sir William Bennett KCVO - 1914

Prof Silvanus P Thomson FRS - 1909

 

Published in 2009, Reflections on the Last One Hundred Years of Lighting in Great Britain, is the lucid and comprehensive history of the Society of Light and Lighting (and other developments).

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