LFRA congratulates Ian Robinson on Order of Australia

The Large Format Retail Association (LFRA) congratulates Ian Robinson, Executive Chairman, Beacon Lighting on being awarded an Order of Australia for his immeasurable contribution to the retail sector for over 50 years, in particular in lighting and the Large Format Retail industry.

Ian was one of the five founding members of what was formerly known as the Bulky Goods Retailers Association (BGRA) in 1999, and in 2002 became the second President. The organisation transitioned to become the LFRA in 2013.  Accumulatively, Ian served as President of the BGRA and then the LFRA for 14 years, and is still serving as a Director today.

“I speak on behalf of the whole LFRA when I congratulate Ian Robinson on being recognised with an OAM for his contribution to the retail sector and professional associations,” said current President of the LFRA, Zac Fried and Executive Deputy Chairman, Spotlight Group.

“Ian has always been pivotal to the association, facilitating industry networking and whole of industry advocacy.

“His almost 25 years of service to the association has been entirely voluntary.

“Ian’s role in the LFR sector paved the way for other retailers who have benefited from the Association’s activities including knowledge sharing, networking, training and industry wide advocacy. The sector now occupies 35% of all retail floor space, employs around 500,000 (FTE) people, and accounts for more than 25% of all retail sales in Australia.

“Upon retiring as President of the LFRA in 2016, Ian was awarded the prestigious LFRA Warwick Shedden Memorial Trophy to recognise his enormous contribution to the goals and ideals of the Large Format Retail Industry,” added Mr Fried.

Ian’s involvement in the sector began when he purchased the first Beacon Lighting store in Prahran in 1975, he then went on to create a network of 126 stores across Australia eventually listing the business on the ASX in 2014.  Ian moved from CEO in 2013 to Executive Director and then became Executive Chairman in 2014.

Through Ian’s efforts the Beacon Lighting Group currently provides employment to 1,100 Australians. His is a success story as one of the largest lighting retailers who has consistently invested in lighting innovation. As a part of his proven effective business strategy, Ian has put innovation and sustainability initiatives at the forefront of product, sales and technology.

Ian has built the Beacon Lighting Group to expand beyond the one brand, including Beacon Lighting International exporting into China, North America and Europe; as well as attaining the GE licence for light globes and street lighting in Australia and New Zealand.

His dedication to the industry inspired his purchase of the manufacturing business, Masson, which has been in operation since the 1950’s, making bespoke lighting products for architectural and commercial applications.

In 2007 and 2009 Beacon Lighting claimed the Retail category winner in The Age/Dunn & Bradstreet Business Awards, which seeks to promote and reward exceptional business success among Victorian companies.

In May 2019, Ian was recognised as a leading icon in the Australian lighting industry when he was awarded the inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award for his leading role in the development of Australia’s lighting industry.

His other directorships include the Lighting Council of Australia.

 

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