The LIA announces Hywel Davies as the Keynote Speaker for this year’s Annual General Meeting and Lunch

The Lighting Industry Association (The LIA) is excited to announce that Hywel Davies, independent expert in building safety regulation and building performance change, will be the keynote speaker at the upcoming Annual General Meeting and Lunch.

Exclusively for their valued members and their guests, the event presents a unique opportunity for members to gather and engage in discussions about pertinent topics within the lighting industry. Following the discussions there will be a chance to network with fellow industry colleagues.

This year will see the return of business seminars, carefully curated to inform, and educate members about important updates in the world of business. The LIA have also invited the top four students from this year’s Nottingham Trent University talent engagement programme. A project design brief serving as a showcase of innovation, creativity, and dedication. Highlighting exceptional ideas by students with the potential to revolutionise the field of lighting design.

In recent years Hywel’s work has focussed particularly on Building Regulations and the building safety reform, on ventilation and health risks in buildings and on Net Zero buildings. He has been closely involved in the development of the new building safety regime and its practical implementation in the sector.  Hywel has also chaired the expert group review of the Approved Documents which contributed to Dame Judith Hackitt’s independent report, and he contributed to the Morrell Day review of construction products and testing.

During the COVID-19 pandemic Hywel led the preparation of the CIBSE guidance on ventilation, as well as contributing to the Royal Academy of Engineering guidance on infection in resilient environments. He is also closely involved in the development of British, European and International standards for digital information management and data exchange, and chairs the BSI committee on these standards.

As a member of the Building Advisory Committee of the Building Safety Regulator, Hywel chaired the Building Regulations Advisory Committee, which was the independent Scientific Advisory Committee to the Department of Levelling Up until the 1st of April 2023. Working closely with the Construction Industry Council and Construction Leadership Council on building safety reform he has only recently retired as CIBSE Chief Technical Officer.

“We are delighted to have Hywel Davies as our keynote speaker at this year’s AGM and Lunch this May. His wealth of knowledge and experience in Building Regulations, the building safety reform, and the built environment will provide invaluable insights to our members and attendees and inspire meaningful discussions on the future of the industry,” said Ayça Donaghy, CEO of the LIA. “We are also excited for NTU students to meet members and get vital feedback from people at the forefront of the sector”.

This year’s event promises to feature more lights, music, awards, and diversity. The Annual General Meeting and lunch will take place on Thursday 16th May 2024, at The Drapers Hall, London. It is open to all LIA members; we encourage you to book early as there are limited spaces remaining.

You can register through The LIA’s website here to attend: https://www.thelia.org.uk/events/EventDetails.aspx?id=1768515&group=