As 2025 draws to a close, we’re reflecting on another remarkable year at CU Phosco, one defined by growth, innovation, and a shared commitment to the people and communities we serve. From product advancements and global partnerships to personal milestones and sustainability achievements, this year has reinforced who we are: a family-led business with a forward-looking mindset.
STRENGHTENING OUR LEADERSHIP AND OUR FUTURE
This year marked an important moment in CU Phosco’s journey as we strengthened our leadership team to guide the business into its next chapter.
Philip Marques stepped into the role of Managing Director, working alongside Nicolas Marques, who became Chairman. This evolution reflects both continuity and progress, staying true to our family values while embracing new opportunities for growth and innovation.
At our Coleford facility, we also welcomed Tom Broadhead as General Manager, bringing fresh ideas, technical expertise, and a passion for developing people. His focus on continuous improvement and employee engagement embodies our ongoing commitment to operational excellence.
Within our Contract Services Division, Stuart Murray’s well-earned promotion to Contracts Director Designate was another proud moment. Having begun his CU Phosco journey as a placement student, his story is a shining example of the long-term career opportunities that exist within our business.
EXPANDING OUR GLOBAL REACH
This year saw CU Phosco strengthen its international footprint across multiple regions.
In Australia, we announced a major partnership with Pecan Lighting, extending the reach of our high-performance lighting and telecommunications solutions. Together, we’re helping councils and contractors deliver sustainable, future-ready infrastructure across the country.
Our FL820 and FL830 floodlights were added to Australia’s National Electricity Market Load Tables, validating their efficiency and compliance for unmetered use, while CU Phosco Australia secured a prestigious multi-year contract with Ausgrid to deliver energy-efficient floodlighting upgrades. These milestones highlight our growing presence and contribution to Australia’s sustainability ambitions.
We also strengthened our representation in New Zealand through a new partnership with Energylight, giving specifiers and engineers across the region access to our full product portfolio. Both collaborations reflect our shared belief in building strong local relationships supported by world-class manufacturing.
And closer to home, our Connected Urban smart poles continued to make an impact internationally, including a key installation in Munich ahead of Oktoberfest. These multi-functional smart poles are helping cities enhance connectivity and safety while creating cleaner, more efficient streetscapes.
INNOVATION IN ACTION
Innovation continued to be at the heart of CU Phosco in 2025.
We launched the enhanced FL820 floodlight, featuring an extended optic range, onboard drivers, and a 14% boost in power and light output, reaffirming its position as a trusted choice for airports, ports, and sports facilities around the world.
Our new Supamole trenchless duct installation service also made its official debut. Designed to minimise disruption and environmental impact, Supamole allows underground ducts to be installed without the need for open trenches - offering a faster, cleaner, and more sustainable solution for street lighting, EV charging, and telecoms infrastructure.
Meanwhile, our Lighting Design team continued to evolve, with Irina Pirtac promoted to Head of Lighting Design. This appointment recognises both her technical excellence and her leadership in shaping creative, efficient, and compliant lighting schemes.
COLLABORATING FOR SMARTER, SUSTAINABLE CITIES
Our partnerships play a huge role in how we continue to innovate.
This year, we proudly became the sole UK partner for Heper, a Turkish lighting manufacturer known for its engineering precision and sustainability ethos. Together, we’re offering specifiers a wider range of amenity, bollard, and tunnel lighting solutions that complement our existing portfolio and support responsible design practices.
We also joined the DALI Alliance, further aligning our work with international standards for interoperable lighting control systems.
In November, we joined Heper at LiGHT 25 in London, showcasing our shared values and the expanded design possibilities our collaboration brings to the UK market.
PRESERVING HERITAGE AND BUILDING THE FUTURE
Our work this year has shown how modern lighting and heritage preservation can coexist beautifully.
A key project that began in spring 2025 is our support for Brighton & Hove City Council in restoring the city’s historic seafront lighting - a multi-year initiative due for completion in 2027. Using our original 1982 drawings and a preserved sample luminaire, we’re helping to recreate lanterns that honour the past while incorporating 3000K LED technology for efficiency and longevity.
Meanwhile, we continued to invest in circularity and longevity closer to home, replacing ageing high mast raising and lowering systems at airports with retrofit kits that extend product life, reduce waste, and simplify maintenance for years to come.
CELEBRATING OUR PEOPLE
Our people are the heartbeat of CU Phosco, and 2025 has been full of stories that remind us why.
We celebrated long service milestones, including Eric Grieve’s 25 years as Factory Manager at Westgate and Mike Board’s remarkable 50-year anniversary, a testament to his dedication and craftsmanship. These achievements highlight the strength of our culture; where loyalty, expertise, and teamwork truly thrive.
We also welcomed returning team member, Susan Rudd, who rejoined us as Payroll Supervisor, and quickly became an invaluable part of our finance team. Their enthusiasm and professionalism embody the values that make CU Phosco such a special place to work.
In our Contract Services Division, we marked Ric Metcalfe’s first anniversary, recognising his energy, leadership, and commitment to continuous learning. And in our Technical Department, Nihal Najeem’s promotion to Laboratory Manager showcased our belief in nurturing talent and rewarding excellence.
We’re also deeply proud of our apprentices: the next generation of CU Phosco talent. Through hands-on training and dedicated mentorship, they’re gaining #SkillsForLife and helping to build the future of our industry.
CHAMPIONING RESPONSIBLE LIGHTING
Sustainability remains central to everything we do.
This year, we were proud to become a Sustaining Member of DarkSky UK, reinforcing our commitment to protecting the night sky and promoting evidence-based lighting practices.
In September, we took part in the DarkSky UK Conference 2025: “Good Lighting – From Pollution to Solution”, held at Newcastle University. It was inspiring to connect with lighting professionals, designers, researchers, and policy makers, and to showcase our range of DarkSky Approved luminaires — including the P862, P863, E950, and Heper’s DRAGO and DOGO. The discussions and collaborations that took place at the event reaffirmed our belief in lighting design that enhances safety and visibility while preserving the beauty of the natural night.
RECOGNISING EXCELLENCE
As the year closes, we’re proud to report three major wins at the HEA (Highways Electrical Association) Annual Awards 2025. HEMSA Employee of the Year, recognising Clare Saggs. IT Administrator, for her exceptional contribution to the business, and Apprentice/Trainee of the Year, Ollie Langham for his dedication and development to our Contract Services Division.
We were honoured to be voted HEA/HEMSA Member Organisation of the Year – Large, a category based on the views of fellow members. To receive this recognition for the 8th time means a great deal to us. It reinforces the trust that customers, contractors, and colleagues place in our products, our service, and our people.
LOOKING AHEAD TO 2026
As we look forward to 2026, we do so with optimism and pride in how far we’ve come.
This year has been about building connections between innovation and sustainability, tradition and progress, people and purpose. From expanding internationally to empowering our team at every level, we’ve continued to grow while staying true to our values.
To everyone who has been part of our journey; our employees, partners, suppliers, and customers - thank you. Your support and collaboration are what make our success possible. Together, we’ll continue lighting the way toward a brighter, more sustainable future.