Your Interview CILS UK – Women team

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CILS UK – Women team

Designer
United Kingdom
Introduce yourself (name, company, position, country) and tell us how you got into lighting design (including education/qualifications).

We are a versatile team of women, who found a unique path into lighting industry from diverse fields such as architecture, interior design, charity, journalism, finance and marketing. We are a part of CILS – Commercial and Industrial Lighting Solutions LTD company, based in South Harting, West Sussex, England.

Our team is as unique as it is diverse: we come from different countries and cultures and we are all driven by a common goal - making a significant step towards a cleaner environment. Lighting became our focus, not only because it inspires us, but also because of its potential to make a meaningful environmental impact.

We design both standard and emergency lighting systems that are highly energy-efficient, fully automated and compliant, delivering sustainable options for a green future.

Tell us about your work – is there a specific type of project you like to work on or an area you specialise in and why?

Our goal is to support people in achieving their net-zero targets.

How are we doing that? We maximise energy savings through smart LED lighting with IoT controls.  

We are especially proud of our talented Lighting Designers, Laura Buckland and Atena Mayahi. With their extensive knowledge and specialised skills, they utilise 3D digital twin technology to create precise CAD drawings and floor plans tailored to each client’s space. They account for critical details such as ceiling height, room dimensions, and functional use of each area, ensuring every design maximises efficiency.

Our marketing and operations teams work diligently to communicate and organise the delivery of these sustainable lighting solutions to our clients, which takes a lot of time and effort. That is why, every piece of work counts in our small team!

Why are we doing that? By controlling lighting within environments, we believe we can create a more sustainable future—not only through the lights themselves but also through the ways we manage and optimise them.

What project are you most proud of and why?

One of our most remarkable transformations was for Siemens Energy at their industrial site in Newcastle. Our smart LED lighting design achieved an impressive 96% in energy savings for them. Another example is Inspire Sports Village in Luton, home to one of the UK’s premier swimming facilities. For this site we designed a lighting system with exceptional longevity, with a life expectancy of 20 years or more. These are just a couple of examples, but we have countless projects we are proud of.

How does light inspire you?

Lighting has always been a source of inspiration for us. It’s essential not only for creating those cosy nooks, where you can settle in with a book, but also for designing open, glamorous spaces that feel both welcoming and stylish. Thoughtful lighting doesn’t just set the mood; it also makes a huge difference in our day-to-day energy consumption.

There is something motivating about knowing that our choices today—whether through energy-efficient designs or mindful personal habits—help build a sustainable future for generations to come. By leading with intention, we can create beautiful spaces that reflect our values and contribute positively to the world.

What is your message for other Women In Lighting?

As the world moves towards a more sustainable future, the lighting industry is one of the leading ways to do that. So, we are proud to be part of this journey.

Lighting brings spaces to life, creating connections and guiding progress. We do believe that if we all share our light, at the end of our path it will be powerful and enlightening.

As Women of CILS, we have chosen to light the path toward a sustainable future—and to inspire others to do the same! 

Atena Mayahi – CAD and Lighting Designer

Born in:
Iran
Qualifications:
Master's degree in Interior Architecture and Design, Master's degree in Architecture, Bachelor of Architecture, Advanced Diploma of Interior design.
Started working with light in:
June 2022
Offices worked at:
Konjesabz (Head of architecture Section) - Azad University (Lecturer) - Self Employed Architecture-Interior Designer 
Now works at:
CILS-Commercial & Industrial Lighting Solutions
Loves:
Energy Saving - Photography - Gardening 
Social Media

Laura Buckland – Lead Lighting Designer

Born in:
United Kingdom
Qualifications:
BA Interior Architecture and Design
Started working with light in:
8 years ago
Offices worked at:
Orlight and Spurlite
Now works at:
CILS-Commercial & Industrial Lighting Solutions
As well as being:
A full time mummy to two
Loves:
Family time and walking
Social Media

Khrystyna Kovalevska – Marketing assistant at CILS

Born in:
Ukraine
Qualifications:
BA in journalism and marketing
Started working with light in:
2024
Now works at:
CILS-Commercial & Industrial Lighting Solutions
Loves:
Storytelling, travelling, inspiring people
Social Media

Lucie Knight – Operations Manager

Born in:
United Kingdom
Qualifications:
CDM, NVQ3 PSUK
Started working with light in:
10+ Years ago
Now works at:
CILS-Commercial & Industrial Lighting Solutions
As well as being:
Full time Mummy to a nearly 2-year-old
Loves:
Personally, I love my family, my cats, gaming and my houseplants. Professionally, I’m passionate about managing projects that help clients save on energy costs while reducing environmental impact. It’s fulfilling to see each project through to results that benefit both our clients and the planet.
Social Media

Kelly Meiessaar – Marketing Manager

Born in:
Estonia
Qualifications:
BA Chinese
Started working with light in:
2021
Now works at:
CILS-Commercial & Industrial Lighting Solutions
As well as being:
First time a mum to a little baby, houseplant enthusiast, adventurer for the wild nature
Loves:
Inspiring people to consume and waste less in all aspects of our lives: from reducing our energy consumption by starting with simple things like sorting out your lights to not wasting food. She consumes fashion mindfully and follows the mantra of “reduce, reuse” before “recycle” or buying anything new
Social Media

“As the world moves towards a more sustainable future, the lighting industry is one of the leading ways to do that. So, we are proud to be part of this journey.

Lighting brings spaces to life, creating connections and guiding progress. We do believe that if we all share our light, at the end of our path it will be powerful and enlightening.

As Women of CILS, we have chosen to light the path toward a sustainable future—and to inspire others to do the same!”

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