Sustainability at Soho Lighting

Engineering a Better Future

Lee Lovett walking along the Cornish coastline
Lee Lovett walking along the Cornish coastline

The Soho Lighting Company was founded on a simple belief

Good engineering has the power to solve problems.

Before establishing the business, we spent many years renovating homes and historic buildings. We repeatedly encountered products that consumed unnecessary energy, required avoidable rewiring, compromised the fabric of beautiful buildings and too often ended their lives as waste. We questioned why these compromises had become accepted.

We believed there had to be a better way.

If we were to control the performance of our lighting, technical expertise would be essential, and so we built Enkin, our technical engineering brand which sits at the heart of everything we create.

Each collection begins with engineering. Not because engineering is an end in itself, but because it is how we create products that perform better, last longer and demand less of the buildings and spaces in which they are installed. From reducing standby energy consumption and eliminating batteries to extending product life through repairable design, we believe that thoughtful engineering should leave a lighter footprint than the solutions it replaces.

The same long-term thinking shapes the way we build our business. We are committed to creating a workplace where people are valued, rewarded fairly and given the opportunity to grow.

Every member of our team is paid above the National Living Wage, and we continue to invest in their wellbeing, development and long-term careers because exceptional engineering is only possible through exceptional people.

Our responsibility extends beyond our own walls. We proudly assemble our collections in Cornwall and work alongside highly skilled British manufacturers and craftspeople, deliberately investing almost 40% of our supplier spend with British businesses.

These long-standing partnerships help preserve traditional skills, strengthen local economies and ensure that the quality of our products reflects the quality of the people who make them.

Whether we are developing ultra-low standby dimming technology, battery-free kinetic controls, introducing recycled materials into new collections or preserving the character of heritage buildings through thoughtful retrofit solutions, our approach remains the same: challenge convention, engineer thoughtfully and never stop asking whether there is a better way.

For us, engineering has never simply been about creating beautiful lighting. It is about creating lasting value for our customers, our people, our suppliers and the buildings and spaces that will live with our products for generations.

Our Pillars

The headline measures guiding how we operate, design and make progress.

Buy British Almost 40%

Supplier spend invested with British businesses and growing.

Our People 100%

Employees paid above the National Living Wage.

Environmental Performance Measured Annually

Our carbon footprint and environmental performance are reviewed every year.

Product Development Innovation with Purpose

Engineering that reduces energy, extends product life and respects the spaces it serves.

Soho Lighting sockets and switches being hand finished

Responsible Product Development

Every Engineering Decision Matters

Each engineering decision is an opportunity to consume less energy, preserve buildings, reduce waste and create collections that stand the test of time.

Designing for Lasting Impact

Our approach considers energy, buildings, resources and the communities involved in bringing our products to life.

01 / Energy

Better for Energy

  • Ultra-low standby dimming
  • Battery-free kinetic technology
  • Energy-efficient lighting controls
02 / Buildings

Better for Buildings

  • Retrofit without rewiring
  • Preserving historic buildings
  • Long-life design
  • Repairable design
03 / Resources

Better for Resources

  • Ocean Collection
  • Linen Collection
  • Circular materials
  • Packaging improvements
  • Repair programme
04 / Britain

Better for Britain

  • Cornwall assembly
  • British craftsmanship
  • Almost 40% supplier spend with British businesses
  • Responsible sourcing

Our Progress

We track key environmental and social measures to understand our impact and identify where further improvement is needed.

We Measure Status
Carbon footprint Published annually
Electricity use Tracked
Water consumption Tracked
Waste Tracked
British supplier spend Tracked
Supplier assessments Annual
Biodiversity Annual review
Packaging Continuous improvement

A Better Way of Thinking

Every collection we create begins with a question rather than an assumption.

  • Can it consume less energy?
  • Can it last longer?
  • Can it be repaired rather than replaced?
  • Can it preserve the buildings in which it is installed?
  • Can it better support British craftsmanship?
  • Can it leave a lighter footprint than the solution before it?

These questions shape the way we engineer, manufacture and continually refine our collections. They are the reason our innovations exist and why so many of our projects are driven by engineering rather than trends.

The following examples show how that philosophy is translated into practical action.

Pendant light from the Ocean Collection made from recycled fishing nets

The Ocean Collection

Lighting made from reclaimed fishing nets and ocean plastics

  • Our Ocean Collection pendants are 3D-printed using recycled fishing nets and plastics recovered from the sea, given a second life as considered, long-lasting lighting.
  • We also donate 10% of proceeds from the collection to Surfers Against Sewage, supporting their vital work protecting UK coastlines and waterways.
  • The collection has received multiple design and sustainability awards, recognising not just how it looks, but what it does.
Explore the Ocean Collection >

Decorex Sustainability Task Force

Collaborating to shape a more sustainable design community

  • We’re proud to be part of the Decorex Sustainability Task Force, working alongside like-minded brands such as Edward Bulmer Natural Paint and Haines Collection to drive meaningful change across the design industry.
  • The Task Force champions responsible practice and supports exhibitors in making more sustainable choices, offering guidance and inspiration that extends beyond the show itself.
  • Bringing together brands already leading the way, the initiative fosters a more conscious, accountable and forward-thinking design community, one committed to building a greener future together.
Decorex Sustainability Task Force
Children collecting ocean plastics on a beach for the Cleaner Ocean Project

The Cleaner Ocean Project

Teaching the next generation to design responsibly

  • Working with local Cornish schools, the Cleaner Ocean Project turns sustainability into something practical, creative and impactful.
  • Children don't just learn about sustainability. They design it.
  • The project has received a Championing Community Award, something we're immensely proud of.
Learn more about the Cleaner Ocean Project >

The Bluebell Light

The Bluebell Light was created through our Cleaner Ocean Project

  • A schools initiative where pupils learn about plastics, recycling and sustainable design, collect waste from local beaches, and design their own lighting.
  • The winning design was brought to life by our team and now forms part of the Ocean Collection, with proceeds supporting Surfers Against Sewage.
  • The project, and the light itself, has received national recognition for its educational, community and sustainability impact.
View the finished Bluebell Light >
The Bluebell Light pendant designed by students
“Our dedication to sustainability extends beyond our products to encompass people, the planet and our community.”
Lee Lovett, Co-Founder