Edwin Sargeant
Managing Director and Founder
Contact: E: esargeant@xerolighting.com
P: +61 28599 9788
M: (AUS) +61 418 415 994 M: (USA) +1 480 768 8733
Background
As Managing Director and Founder of the Xero Group, Edwin Sargeant has over 25 years experience in the linear lighting industry, primarily designing, manufacturing and selling Tubular Lighting Systems. Edwin’s main focus and commitment is supplying his customers the very latest in technologically advanced linear lighting systems.
Edwin is also a foundation member of Lighting Council Australia and a Technical associate of the Illuminating Engineering Society of Australia and New Zealand. Edwin holds a Masters Degree in Management from Macquarie Graduate School of Management.
You can be assured Edwin and his management team will provide an in-depth analytical and strategic approach to designing your next linear lighting project.
Tom Grant
Design Director of Xero Linear Lighting Systems
Contact: E: tgrant@xerolighting.com
M: +61 402 841 344
P: +61 285 999 788
Background
In the course of his eighteen-year career, Tom has brought his industrial design perspective to a wide variety of consulting roles. His work has ranged from consumer products, to professional audio equipment, to high-tech medical products, to prefabricated housing. With his arrival at Xero, Tom has returned to the lighting industry, where his career began and where he will focus on his specialty—developing integrated products in a style that promotes innovation at every step of the product lifecycle.
Reg Baker
Creative Director of Xero Linear Lighting Systems
Contact: E: rbaker@xerolighting.com
M: +61 422 967 684
P: +61 285 999 788
Background
Reg is something of a journeyman in lighting and related sectors. His branding and communications skills have made their mark in lighting before and now he’s back, focusing on Xero product promotion and managing all activation marketing channels.
His role as Creative Director is backed up by two-plus decades as a marketing professional doing business in manufacturing and other industries in the commercial lighting orbit.”
Pratik Devkota
Production Planner & Scheduler
Contact: E: pdevkota@xerolighting.com
P: +61 2 8599 9788
Background
Matt Bell
Operations Manager
Contact: E: mbell@xerolighting.com
M: +61 499 881 731
P:+61 285 999 788
Background
Matt earned his stripes in the industry coming up through the ranks of a major Australian linear lighting supplier. From the procurement team, to Manufacturing Manager, to Operations Manager, he developed unparalleled expertise in the materials and processes involved in creating lighting products. Today, Matt combines his long experience in lighting with a love for leadership, as he guides production here at Xero. We also enjoy the benefit of business skills he refined while earning his 2015 master’s degree at University of Western Sydney.
Ashleigh Chapple
Financial Controller
Contact: E: achapple@xerolighting.com
M: +61 422 293 734
P: +61 285 999 788
Background
Every industry has its financial fine points, unique money-management aspects critical to the healthy running of a company in a given field. Ashleigh brings more than ten years of experience in lighting industry accounting and administrative operations to the Xero team. Highly organised, friendly and self-motivated, Ashleigh does more than simply keep the books. She helps people understand her job, eliminating the friction that can often occur between the teams that generate revenue and those whose job it is to make sure the company’s financial assets are being used wisely.
Alistair Proctor
NSW Team Member
Contact: E: aproctor@xerolighting.com
M: +61 417 692 698
P: +61 285 999 788
Background
As a regional partner for Xero Linear Lighting Systems in NSW, Alistair Proctor has 14 years experience in the commercial lighting industry as a sales professional providing detailed specification & technical support to our lighting design, electrical engineering & architectural clients. Alistair also works closely with manufacturers in the development of new innovative market leading lighting products. Alistair also has 15 years experience in installation and engineering project management mainly with commercial and heavy industry sectors.
Nick Van Someren
NSW Team Member
Contact: E: nickvs@xerolighting.com
M: +61 422 564 976
P: +61 285 999 788
Background
As a Team Member of Xero Linear Lighting Systems for NSW. He has been in the commercial lighting industry for 14 years representing some of the best local and European brands in the market. Nick is driven by always delivering excellent service to his clients on projects in the specification market and works closely with electrical engineers, lighting designers, architects and end users.
Craig Crawford
VIC & SA Regional Partner
Contact: E: ccrawford@xerolighting.com
M: +61 488 044 863
P: +61 383 999 488
Background
Craig Crawford has over 20 year’s experience in the lighting and electrical industry. Having started with a manufacturer as a product development engineer Craig has been exposed to many facets in lighting with a specific focus towards the sales of lighting solutions that best suit each application. Craig manages a team of experienced Sales Engineers and Project Coordinators to ensure that the vision of providing specialised solutions to exceed client expectations is upheld in Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania. Dedicated to supporting the continued evolution of our industry he facilitates educational events through the IES and provides on-going sponsorship of numerous events. Craig holds an Honors Degree from Queensland University of Technology in Electrical and Computing Engineering.
Darren Bucknall
VIC & SA Regional Partner
Contact: E: dbucknall@xerolighting.com
M: +61 488 092 383
P: +61 383 999 488
Background
Darren plays an integral role for the Victorian and South Australian Xero Group’s business. With 23 years of experience in the lighting industry Darren has a strong technical focus developed from 7 years of product design roles, and offers his customers expert technical advice on product application and high quality solutions.
Darren also has strong international experience having worked in London for many years and also started and developed a successful lighting distribution company based in Melbourne.
Anthony Strangis
VIC Team Member
Contact: E: astrangis@xerolighting.com
M: +61 427 111 708
P:+61 383 999 488
Background
Based in Victoria, Anthony is a welcome member of the Xero Lighting Group. He has been involved in the lighting industry over 20 years. During this time, he has worked within a variety of roles. Which range from lamp sales, retail lighting, project coordination, conceptual design, manufacture, project and sales management. He has a deep knowledge of distributing architectural lighting working throughout Australia and New Zealand representing some of the world leading companies. This In turn, has allowed him the opportunity to develop wide-ranging skill sets, which encompasses many aspects vital to the lighting business. Anthony is heavily engaged in the in the Victorian and Tasmania chapter of the Illuminating Engineering Society of Australia and New Zealand in the capacity of the Memberships Services Coordinator. In which he serves to encourage, promote and preserve high standards of professional integrity and ethics amongst people active in the field of lighting and holds full MIES accreditation.
Kyle Joustra
VIC Team Member
Contact: E: kjoustra@xerolighting.com
M: +61 439 985 128
P: +61 383 999 488
Background
As Technical Lighting Engineer of the Buckford Illumination Group, Kyle has over 40 years’ experience in the lighting and electrical industry. Kyle’s experience in the Electrical, Computing and Lighting fields have been tied together to help advise people. The solutions are not just for lighting but best understanding all factors, to help the client make an informed decision that affects more than just lighting.
Project experience range from Shopping Centres & Retail; Office & Foyers, Medical Centres, Hospitals, CFAs & Police Stations; Libraries & Council Facilities; Sports Indoor & Outdoor; Churches & Schools; Domestic & Apartments; Museums & Theatres; Road & Exterior.
Specialties: Lighting Design for ESD, BCA, Greenstar buildings. Energy Audits. Understanding of practical elements and electrical wiring. Ability to envisage an outcome and bring to life. “I always like the challenge of blending or hiding luminaires within a space and making the subject being illuminated as the feature.”
Kyle is a qualified Electrician and M.I.E.S and holds an advanced Diploma in Management and has completed the RMIT Lighting Course, AGI32 course, Road Lighting Course and numerous other lighting related seminars.
Ronny Schaapherder
VIC Team Member
Contact: E:ronnys@xerolighting.com
M: +61 408 914 210
P: +61 383 999 488
Background
As a Lighting Sales Engineer, Ronny has over 15 years’ experience in the lighting industry. His career started in Holland in 2000, and includes over 14 year for ERCO Lighting. During that time, Ronny has built up a wealth of project experience in high end Architectural Lighting solutions / applications. Ronny is proficient in Dialux and is an expert at assisting the client reach the ideal solution. Ronny builds strong relationships and provides his clients with a tailor-made project solution, high service and site assistance.
Billy Daye
QLD & NT Regional Partner
Contact: E: bdaye@xerolighting.com
M: +61 417 200 862
P: +617 3193 9488
Background
This twenty-five-year lighting industry veteran, and newly-minted MBA holder, has spent a successful career working sales and business development both locally and internationally. He stands ready in Queensland to put all those years of experience and his freshly-honed academic business skills to work for Xero and, especially, for our customers.
Martin Disley
Sales Director and UK Regional Partner
Contact: E: mdisley@xerolighting.com
M: +44 7393 939691
P: +61 285 999 788
Background
This knowledgeable professional’s career in lighting began in New Zealand, more than twenty years ago. Starting out as a Sales Consultant he moved up to National Sales Manager before his career brought him to a consultant’s role in Australia followed by Directorship/ownership of his own distribution company. All those years of expertise-development and relationship-building are now focused on Xero’s goals of educating the marketplace about the cutting-edge products we represent, and giving customers everything they need to put them into place efficiently.
When time permits Martin loves spending valuable time with his wife and children. Keeping fit through road cycling/racing and travel
Mike Bernard
Auckland NZ Regional Partner
Contact: E: mbernard@xerolighting.com
M: +6421 672 237
P: +64 9 887 1067
Background
Development, manufacturing, sales, marketing— Mike’s thirty-six-year career has given him a 360-degree perspective on the lighting industry. He has worked for high-profile companies on projects spanning the entire spectrum of commercial lighting products and many creative solutions. He has run his own company and, just prior to joining Xero, Michael spent several years gaining specialised expertise in the field of tubular lighting. To have someone who has achieved as many career goals as Mike has, and accumulated his wealth of experience, is a genuine privilege for our company.
Jonny Clifford
Wellington NZ Regional Partner
Contact: E: jclifford@xerolighting.com
M: +6421 941 901
P: +64 48 879 988
Background
Jonny has held positions ranging from technical manager, to managing director, to consultant on lighting solutions. Eighteen years in the business have schooled him well in electronic design, programming and manufacturing, as well as commercial and architectural lighting design and sales. For Jonny, there are no small projects, only individual solutions to be found. Fluent in the language of architects and engineers, he gets great enjoyment from adding value to their Xero relationships and helping them discover the most efficient, effective paths to achieving aesthetically-pleasing goals.
Mel Levings
Christchurch NZ
Regional Partner
Contact: E: mlevings@xerolighting.com M: +642 7536 3688
Background
Everyone at Xero understands and thrives on the ever-changing nature of the lighting business, and none of us more than Mel. With thirty-one years in the industry, nearly half of them at the helm of his own commercial lighting company, he is uniquely qualified to help you make the most of today’s lighting solutions. The other half of his career, spent on the wholesale side, means he knows what’s out there for you and where to find it. Providing exactly what you need is something in which he takes great pleasure—another trait he shares with his Xero colleagues.
Gary Talbot
SA Team Member
Contact: E: gtalbot@xerolighting.com M: +61 448 064 412
Background
With over 40 years of experience in the electrical industry, Garry successfully completing an apprenticeship as an electrical mechanic and worked as an electrical contractor in Victoria for 5 years before moving into Sales and Management roles.
These roles in his career include GEC Bendigo Branch Manager, Auslec Victoria northern regional projects department and MM Group in several management roles responsible for project management and business development.
This lead to a transition into the lighting industry and over the last 10 years Garry has worked for several prominent lighting companies in the recent past gaining invaluable knowledge and an intimate understanding of our unique industry. Garry’s role with the Xero Lighting Group allows him to utilse his portfolio to consulting engineers, architects, interior designers, local councils and government departments.
Garry is an avid supporter of the IES for many years and has spent 3 years as the SA Chapter Secretary. Although he is not currently officially involved with the IES, Garry regularly attends local functions
Mick Reidy
SA Team Member
Contact: E:mreidy@xerolighting.com M: +61 437 187 452
Background
Mick brings over 25 years’ experience in the lighting industry to the Xero Lighting Group, in areas ranging from luminaires, light sources and lighting control through State, Regional and National roles. He believes in a hands-on and collaborative approach with all parties involved in a project to bring about effective customer solutions. Mick is a former President and current Committee member of the SA/NT Chapter of the Illuminating Engineering Society of Australia and New Zealand, and was a key driver in establishing a Lighting Education course in Adelaide in 2014 through the Certificate of Lighting Design and Engineering. He has been a Guest Lecturer in Lighting Design at UniSA (Interior Architecture), Adelaide University (School of Architecture) and TAFE (Illumination Design and Interior Design).
Hendrik Schwartz
Singapore Regional Partner
Contact: E: hendriks@xerolighting.com
M: +65 9106 1577
Background
New to the Xero team, Hendrik is a seasoned business leader and entrepreneur.
He has clocked up almost 20 years experience within the lighting industry. Much of this industry time has been spent with the ERCO company where he was leading the Japan operations as Managing Director for 6 years, worked 2 years as the Export Manager in Germany and then as the Regional CEO for the Asia Pacific based in Singapore.
Hendrik’s ongoing goal is to continue in the development of the fast growing Asian markets where in the recent past he has tripled turnover in the last 10 years. Hendrik’s extensive technical lighting knowledge and communication skills will be a valuable asset as he engages the vast network of specifiers, distributors and clients to the Xero Lighting Group.
Ben Conick
WA Regional Partner
Contact: E: bconick@xerolighting.com M: +61 410 575 180
Background
Ben has been involved in lighting throughout his working career, since 1999.
He became passionate about lighting early in his career and realising that lighting would be a big part of his life, acted on gaining the best possible knowledge and education possible while continuing to gain on the job experience. He has experience in all aspects of the lighting industry from warehousing through to senior management, specifically, within the architectural specification sector and working in partnership with several internationally renowned brands.
With a drive to deliver high quality product and impeccable customer experience, Ben is highly motivated and focused on the long term success of Xero Linear Lighting Systems in Western Australia.
Simon Buckingham
WA Business Development Manager
Contact: E: sbuckingham@xerolighting.com
M: +61 437 999 127
Background
Simon is a sales and marketing professional with a career spanning over 25 years. He is an ambitious and motivated individual with a tenacity for developing opportunities and building sound business relationships, imparting technical know-how and crafting high quality solutions that support project objectives.
Simon’s track record in the lighting industry includes represent tier one global brands in premium lighting control gear, which has given him a sound technical understanding of control gear application. He has worked with a broad range of clients from SMEs through to State Government Agencies on infrastructure projects, in providing lighting solutions.
Stuart Hamilton
TAS Regional Partner
Contact: E: shamilton@xerolighting.com
M: +61 418 126 162
P: +61 362 315 599
Background
If there’s such a thing as a natural in the world of commercial lighting, it’s Stuart. He started in the business 20+ years ago and immediately discovered a flair and passion for lighting spaces. Drawing on his mechanical design background and other expertise, he creates solutions with people in mind. “I believe that lighting is for the people who occupy spaces,” he says, “and advise on lighting outcomes that emphasise the wellbeing of the occupier.” As a Tasmanian, the natural world means a lot to Stuart; with the International Dark Sky Association, he works to help stop light pollution, protecting the night skies for present and future generations.
Landon Bannister
TAS Regional Partner
Contact: E: lbannister@xerolighting.com
M: +61 427 447 166
P: +61 362 315 599
Background
Landon has been working with light for over 20 years. He is a passionate advocate for the role that light plays in enhancing peoples experience within the built environment and is heavily involved in lighting education. He developed his passion for lighting in Hobart but eventually moved to Melbourne, where he was able to study lighting and gain his qualification as a Member of the Illuminating Engineers Society. Now back in Tasmania, Landon continues to work with all sectors of the industry to promote quality lighting outcomes for projects of all shapes and sizes.
Emily Allport
Accounts Assistant / Reception
Contact: E: eallport@xerolighting.com
P: +61 28599 9788
Adrian Marturano
VIC Team Member
Contact: E: amarturano@xerolighting.com
M: +61 488 020 713
P: +61 383 999 488