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Interview CIBSE president
CIBSE’s
new
beacon
CIBSE’s new president takes up the role at a time of
major threats and opportunities for the institution and
the profession it represents. But, as a lighting expert,
Mike Simpson knows a thing or two about illuminating
dark corners, writes Carina Bailey
M
ike Simpson has been fascinated by are being made redundant. I think the
Ins and
light since childhood, making his first main thing we have to do over the next outs of
lighting instrument from a Smartie 12 to 18 months, or however long this
office light
tube and a Quality Street wrapper when [recession] goes on, is to make sure
Page 45
he was four years old. That was half a century ago, they’re in the best possible situation to practice their
and now the technical director of Philips Lighting and craft.”
Design, who is the incoming CIBSE president, has This means making training and legislation updates a
plans to unite the lighting industry for “the common priority, with members having access to CPD and other
good of the profession”. initiatives the institution is involved with, such as the
He explains: “That’s not to merge [the different CIBSE Low Carbon Energy Assessor scheme, so as to offer
lighting bodies] – as they all have their own distinct more opportunities for finding a job, he says. It also means
identity – but to find ways of doing things together to preserving members’ time as much as possible.
help support and develop the profession. I think we “I think we have to be really careful of time bandits,”
have a ‘moment in time’ to achieve this and I want to Simpson asserts. “Using the modern technology that
see this delivered in my [presidential] year.” we have to disappear into the office for a telephone or
Simpson’s 30 years’ experience within the lighting web conference is going to make it easier than saying
field has seen him design the external lighting for I’m going to Balham [CIBSE’s London headquarters].
Tower Bridge, St Paul’s Cathedral and the Pepsi- Webinars will be absolutely crucial to supporting our
Max rollercoaster at Blackpool. He even has royal members in the future.”
credentials, having designed the new façade lighting In the long term, he sees CIBSE becoming a pivotal >
for Buckingham Palace in 2007, using solid-state
lighting.
A family man at heart, with a wife and three children,
Simpson also believes CIBSE has a duty to support its
CIBSE has to be all about
.com
members through this difficult financial period, which
supporting its members. Lots of
.simonweir
has changed “all the ground rules” for his short-term
people are going through difficulties
www vision for CIBSE. “[The institution] has to be all about
eir
W
supporting its members. Lots of people are going
in their work situation; people are
Simon through difficulties in their work situation; people
being made redundant
www.cibsejournal.com May 2009 CIBSE Journal 27
CIBSEmay09 pp26-28, 30 interview.indd 27 5/1/09 3:00:24 PM
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