The Association of Lighting Designers (ALD) has presented White Light’s Jason Larcombe with a lifetime membership. The award, which recognises Jason’s considerable contribution in a variety of committee roles, was presented at this year’s 24th annual Lighting Lunch, held at the Park Plaza Hotel in London’s West End.

The ALD Lifetime membership recognises the contribution members have made to the running of the Association. Jason stepped down from his role on the executive committee earlier this year following a 19-year tenure in which he helped shape the association from various committee positions. Jason first joined the association as a student of Rose Bruford College and amongst his ALD executive roles he held the position of deputy chair until 2011.

Rick Fisher, currently the ALD’s vice president, held the role of chairman through the 1990s and into the new century. Having worked closely alongside Larcombe, he revealed, “Jason’s contribution and hard work has enriched the ALD and the students immeasurably. His enthusiasm for lighting and the lighting community, alongside his vision for the way students could benefit from the ALD, really created the structure that saw students join the ALD and eventually become sponsored by corporate members.”

He added, “Jason worked tirelessly on the executive for the ALD. He was the ‘doer’ on the committee and it’s safe to say, many of the strides made by the ALD to become an effective organisation are due to his long commitment to the association – which always ran in tandem with his professional career. He has prodded, challenged and supported the organisation for a very long time. The ALD would not be what it is today without Jason!

On receiving the award, Jason commented, “I was so surprised to receive this award.  The ALD is very close to my heart and I am pleased to have been part of the association through its growth and am proud of where it stands today: as a voice for the lighting designer.  I am very honoured to have been selected.”

Jason joins other notable life members, including former treasurer Peter Hunter; former secretaries Nick Hunt and Chris Watts, as well as Jackie Staines former editor of the ALD magazine, Focus.

Picture caption: ALD executive director, Ian Saunders with Jason Larcombe (right) and the lifetime membership award