Entrepreneur: Ian Potter, Lighting up Bangkok

I AN Potter, the founder of CWL Lighting, will soon mark the company’s 20th year in Thailand. Over that period, UK-born Ian has seen his enterprise grow from a design and equipment supply company in Phuket to a Bangkok studio providing lighting design services to the hospitality sector across Asia Pacific.
    
In its early Phuket days, CWL worked in hi-end residential properties, usually individually designed second homes, often for the rich and famous. Many of these properties are world class, using architects and interior designers from all parts of the globe. The finished products together with their tropical landscape gardens and ocean views would be hard to beat anywhere in the world.

“The decision to move to Bangkok was made in 2012 and implemented shortly after,” explained Ian, who first arrived in Asia 28 years ago to work in Hong Kong with Jardine Matheson in their intelligent building division.
    
“Bangkok with its central Asia Pacific location, excellent connections to the region’s capitals and favourable operating costs has enabled us to be closer to the decision makers, designers and influencers in the region. As a result, our clients now include the Hilton group, Intercontinental, Indigo and Holiday Inn Brands from IHG, together with properties from the Dusit and Accor portfolios and boutique Hotels from Aman.
    
“Our team comprises lighting designers, business development with the necessary admin, and drawing support. We also have a number of long-standing associates we work with in related disciplines when needed. Between us we have over 100 years of experience with lighting and electrical systems in buildings.
    
Lighting design requires a balanced mix of creativity, sensible functionality and practical implementation of the available technology.
    
Recent years have seen the development of LED lighting which gives us, as designers, the ability to practically, and cost effectively, put light where years ago it was not possible. If one looks at Google Images of ‘Hotel lobbies 2005’ and compares the results with ‘Hotel lobbies 2015,’ it’s clear to see the lighting is very different. As a leading designer, the company needs to keep on top of these developments by visiting international exhibitions and seminars.
    
“Modern designs have been spearheaded by leading interior design companies, many of which we have been privileged to work with over the years including PIA, P49, HBA, Aedas and Jaya to mention a few, all of whom are aware of the benefits to their designs this technology brings. Further benefits of using the latest technology are the lower operating costs – from energy usage, lower heat gain and much reduced maintenance – and the overall less harmful effects on the environment.
    
“By using good design and the latest technology for light sources and controls, exciting lighting need not carry a premium cost, particularly for an owner or operator. The best time to engage a lighting design company is when the interior design concepts are firming up, we can then work together with the ID in developing the lighting portion of the design and optimising the product selection.
    “
With regional tourism growing and the need for hotels, entertainment and an infrastructure to support it, we can certainly say the future for lighting is bright.”

www.cwl-lighting.com