38 Years In The Lighting Industry & Still Going Strong

By Kevin Clark from our Midlands Sales Team

Having left school with no idea of what I wanted to do, I went to meet the local careers officer who informed me she had just received an exciting opportunity for a Trainee Lighting Engineer. Whilst I had no idea what it involved, I was happy for her to put me forward for an interview. The rest, as they say, is history – I was offered the job at F.W. Thorpe Group (THORLUX/TRT) and started my 38 year long career (to date) in lighting.

I served my apprenticeship as a lighting engineer and, having had my fair share of illuminating toilets and office blocks, I felt a change of direction was needed. The mysterious world of external sales beckoned where I spent time working for both manufacturers and wholesalers before spending ten years with a specialist LED manufacturer who had discovered high flux LEDs that, at the time, generated a mere 18 lumens per watt – just 1/10th of what they can produce today.

After my involvement in the LED revolution in lighting, I changed direction again and, in 2017, I joined Simmonsigns as Midland area sales manager, involved in supporting and promoting good lighting practice with like-minded customers. Having been an active member of the Institute of Lighting Professionals (ILP) since 1983, I am currently the vice chair of the Birmingham LDC, again supporting ILP members and the industry by promoting good lighting practice.

As I am continually discovering new things about lighting, I look forward to my ongoing involvement in the industry and seeing what the evolution of technology brings.

And last but not least, my claim to fame; at the request of the ILP, being a member of the judging panel at the Lighting Design Awards in 2014.