Vision
A world where light matters and we harness it to live life to the full. We mitigate against changing lifestyles and climate to promote health and combat circadian-related health problems in our populations.
We work towards these changes:
- Light nutrition’s importance is recognised and integrated into medical models, public health programmes, building and urban design and management practices.
- A ban on windowless residential property and legislation/guidance on people being in windowless environments, with clear instructions on requirements for daylight access.
- Indoor environments are lit by daylight as a priority, with high-quality artificial light acting as a seamless and natural-feeling supplement where needed.
- A greater, cross-discipline understanding of light nutrition and circadian-related health problems, with research-informed practice and communications.
- Clear guidance for consumers (professional or individual) to empower them to select high-quality products and services.
- Individuals are supported to meet their light nutrition needs by employers and service operators of indoor environments.
- Individuals are empowered to understand and manage their own light nutrition needs.
MAKE LIGHT MATTER® DIRECTORS
Umbereen Moir
Umbereen is valued at Make Light Matter for her events management expertise, excellent eye for detail and astute assessments.
She is responsible for guiding our vision, governance and assisting with event management. She has an MA in Event and Conference Management and a BSc (Hons) in Applied Psychology.
Umbereen currently works full-time managing Newcastle University’s high-profile INSIGHTS lectures programme of 40+ events per year, attracting internationally-renowned expert speakers and an audience of 11,000 people annually.
Her natural warmth and empathy mean she is also a valued mentor, speaker and manager.
Neina
Sheldon
Neina is Make Light Matter’s Founder. She was diagnosed with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) in 2003 and has been working to help others understand and manage the condition since 2012.
Neina is responsible for leading our vision, governance, strategy and all our operations.
Neina currently works part-time as a Digital Content Journalist for UMi and part-time developing Make Light Matter. She is also a Trustee and Director of Involve North East. Her professional background is in marketing, copywriting, customer insights, strategy and journalism. She has a PG Cert in Leadership and Management Development, a BA (Hons) Business Management, a CIM Diploma in Digital Marketing and a Diploma in Copywriting.
Martyn Wharton
Martyn is valued at Make Light Matter for his great mix of technical and creative skills.
He is responsible for guiding our vision, governance, advising on compliance, photography and video production. He is a trained Mental Health at Work First Aider, as well as being trained in safeguarding children and vulnerable adults.
Martyn currently works full-time looking after PFI contracts overseeing all technical compliance and auditing. His background is in electrical engineering and technical compliance. Martyn also has a military engineering background after serving for 12 years in HM Forces.
MAKE LIGHT MATTER® ADVISORS
The Make Light Matter Advisory Board is a diverse group of industry professionals who volunteer their time and expertise to support us in shaping our strategic direction, as well as advising on specialist subjects.
Andrew
Bissell
As the Director of Lighting Design at Cundall and Fellow of the Society of Light and Lighting, Andrew has worked across all sectors in the lighting industry with a focus on galleries, workplace, daylight design, leisure, aviation, public realm, and retail.
Andrew has helped to shape the industry, contributing to a number of lighting design guides in the UK and providing lectures and seminars on lighting design topics. His application of the latest research and technology is driven by the belief that there is always more to learn and so much more we can do for people and the buildings and spaces they use.
Annette Krop-Benesch
Annette is a chronobiologist, science communicator, and medical lecturer in Berlin. Her work focuses on the impact of light pollution and artificial light on human health and nature. In her book “Licht aus!?” (“Lights off!?”), she argues for darker nights and better use of artificial light at night.
As a lecturer, Annette sees the lack of understanding for the role light and darkness plays for our health. Her aim is to guide people to a more natural and positive relationship to sunlight and darkness and to a wholesome approach in artificial lighting design.
Nicholas Witton
Nicholas is a wellbeing consultant who specialises in the effects of light and sleep on performance. He provides executive coaching and consultancy on employee wellbeing and workplace cultures for FTSE 100 and 250 businesses, in addition to working with elite athletes.
Nicholas holds a Postgraduate degree from the University of Oxford in Sleep Medicine and is currently researching the effects of light exposures on performance for his MSc through the Nuffield Department of Clinical Neuroscience at Oxford.