Bridging the gap between the science and art of lighting, the Society of Light and Lighting (SLL) welcomes Helen Loomes as new president. Helen delivered her presidential address and laid out plans for the year ahead at yesterdays, SLL AGM, held at the RIBA on 24 May 2023.
Helen takes over from outgoing President, Andrew Bissell, who reflected on his year in office, before introducing the 2022 Annual Report.
During her address, Helen, a fellow of the SLL, shared her journey into a career in lighting, starting at Holophane, before undertaking her City and Guilds in Illuminating Engineering and Lighting Technology. Helen’s lecturer was David Loe, SLL Past President, who shared his passion for lighting and continued to mentor Helen throughout her career.
Helen has a lifelong passion for learning, as demonstrated by her involvement and support for ongoing research relating to the non-visual effects of light, or more specifically, human-centric lighting. However, in the face of the climate crisis, Helen called for renewed focus on sustainable lighting and creating a circular economy for the lighting industry.
To build on recent work to produce SLL guidance on creating a circular economy in the lighting industry (TM66), Helen proposed a large conference, combining the latest research from the Society’s, Lighting Research & Technology journal, with case studies presented by lighting practitioners.
“I would like to widen their scope, invite other practitioners to present interesting case studies and create some crosstalk between potential researchers, and those who will put this knowledge into practice. It will also be an occasion when the lighting industry can come together and celebrate all we have achieved.”
Helen highlighted the role of CIBSE in furthering and supporting the Society’s aims, sharing her exciting for the first Light2Perform, which will be taking place as part of CIBSE’s flagship event, Build2Perform Live at the Excel in December.
Helen acknowledged the work of Immediate Past President, Andrew Bissell, and Past Presidents, Ruth Kelly Waskett and Bob Bohanon, along with the Society’s Executive Committee and Council, and the the Society’s VP group, who work together to ensure continuity and shared goals between the Society’s leadership team.
“So from tonight it will be Andrew Bissell, Dan Lister, Kristina Allison, Carolina Florian and myself. This team is expanded by all of the Exec and Council members whose hard work and dedication make our Society what it is, the regional reps add the local touch which is invaluable but ultimately the SLL is you and I am looking forward to working with everyone, including the CIBSE staff and regions, over the next year.”
The SLL President’s Address was held in person at the RIBA and online on 24 May 2023. President Helen Loomes took over the Presidency from Immediate Past-President Andrew Bissell, who held office from May 2022. The new President-Elect, Dan Lister was also inducted and will serve his term from May 2024.
Find out more about the SLL via https://www.cibse.org/get-involved/societies/society-of-light-and-lighting-sll