An interview with Graham Skinner
May 2025
At DW Windsor, we are proud to be powered by people with a shared passion for light, committed to delivering outstanding lighting solutions. We are keen to celebrate those who share our passion, positively impact our community and shine a light on our industry. With this in mind, we recently sat down with Graham Skinner, Business Unit Manager for Urban Control UK, ahead of his appointment as Chair of the Institution of Lighting Professionals (ILP) for the London & Southeast region in May 2025.
Tell us about your career journey in the lighting industry.
I started off as a commercial apprentice at Thorn Lighting, gaining experience in a range of technical roles in lighting design and internal and external projects. Following this, I worked in estimating with David Webster Ltd, before taking a national Sales and Development role at Equans (formerly known as ETDE-Bouygues E&S). This gave me the experience to excel in Sales and Marketing roles at various lighting companies, while also gaining exposure to Bid Management and technical writing.
Today, I am proud to have been part of the team at DW Windsor for over eight years. During this time, I have developed my experience in senior project management and the rollout of key product launches, taking on commercial and operational responsibilities for Urban Control, which delivers smart city solutions such as connected street lighting nodes and Central Management Systems (CMS) in locations such as Westminster, the City of London, Glasgow, Norfolk, Brent, and Surrey.
In parallel, I have also been a proud member of the ILP for 16 years, rising to the position of Vice Chair, and I am thrilled to be taking on the role of Chair for the London & Southeast region in May.
What do you feel are the biggest concerns and challenges surrounding the lighting industry today?
One of the most pressing issues currently is reducing energy consumption, especially as we continue to face rising energy costs—an increase seen in April and expected again in October.
At both local council and government levels, the priority should be replacing ageing and outdated lighting infrastructure, which is no longer fit for purpose in public spaces. However, these organisations are dealing with shrinking budgets and increasing energy bills, making it a lose-lose situation.
On a broader scale, the ageing workforce within the lighting industry—particularly in skilled engineering—poses a serious concern. The skills gap is widening, and at the ILP we are committed to attracting younger generations into the industry. Our aim is to ensure essential skills and knowledge are passed down to safeguard the future of the profession.
How is the ILP influencing and tackling these challenges?
Initiatives such as the Young Lighting Professionals (YLP) and Women Lighting Professionals (WLP) are helping to attract young talent, including female engineers, and support them in securing roles at leading companies. Our new ‘Pathways into Lighting and STEM’ programme, developed in collaboration with schools and colleges, also enables manufacturers to engage with students and raise awareness of the lighting sector. These efforts all contribute to promoting and securing the future of the industry we’re so passionate about.
The ILP also offers a wide range of development opportunities, including events, lectures, CPD papers, and bite-sized learning via our membership platform. In response to changing learning preferences post-COVID, we’ve expanded our digital offerings, allowing professionals to continue evolving their skills through flexible online learning.
In recent years, we’ve also made a concerted effort to gather feedback from our members to improve how we operate. Through enhanced engagement on social media, the Lighting Journal magazine, and committee meetings, we’ve shown we are a trusted and unbiased source of guidance. Our annual conference now moves across the UK to increase accessibility, encouraging more participation and broader knowledge sharing. Meanwhile, virtual lectures offer the flexibility for professionals to learn without stepping away from their day-to-day responsibilities.
I aim to continue the encouragement of younger generations and aspiring lighting professionals through education. This will help secure the future of the lighting profession by providing the next generation of lighting professionals with the skills, knowledge and behaviors needed to succeed.
—Graham Skinner, Urban Control
What positive changes have you seen since being Vice Chair at the ILP London?
We have seen the continued rollout of our Strategy 2026; our vision is for a world illuminated by sustainable lighting solutions that help us to live, work, and play without harming the environment around us. We are striving towards this vision while remaining open to shaping and influencing government policy.
Notably, there has been a surge in ILP members attending events and CPD sessions, which reinforces the need for 1:1 networking and learning. We understand that 70% of learning happens in a physical environment, so providing lighting professionals with the opportunity to connect and share is enabling the ILP to further support its members.
Thankfully, awareness is also increasing around mental health, and we are proud to offer comprehensive support and actively work to reduce stigma through our ILP, WLP, and YLP campaigns. By doing so, we’re creating a positive impact not only on individuals but also on the organisations in which they work.
When appointed as Chair in May, what will be your focus?
I would be honoured to carry on the creative efforts and CPD successes of Rob Fuller and Matt Fisher, such as the Duxford Airfield lighting CPD event and the Tottenham Stadium lighting CPD event. These events offered real hands-on experience and thought-provoking guidance for the members who attended.
I aim to continue encouraging younger generations and aspiring lighting professionals through education. This will help secure the future of the lighting profession by equipping the next generation with the skills, knowledge, and behaviours needed to succeed.
To complement this, I will focus on delivering valuable information and services to the lighting community through events and CPD. This will encourage our members to take ownership of their personal development and growth, boosting their success and that of the organisations they support.
Additionally, a key responsibility of the ILP in service to its members is to ensure that legislation, technical standards, and other legal instruments that impact lighting are grounded in sound science, technical expertise, and best practice.
What are the benefits of being an ILP member?
The ILP’s mission is to support and develop lighting professionals and their global contribution for the benefit of society and the environment.
There are a whole host of benefits to becoming a member. You’ll feel part of something meaningful, connected to the lighting industry, and empowered to make a difference to people’s lives and livelihoods. As a member, you have the opportunity to influence government regulations on lighting, develop new skills, and expand your professional network. Membership also helps you build credibility, achieve competence, and grow in confidence as a trusted lighting professional.
Thank you so much to Graham for taking the time to speak to us. Find out more about the ILP here.