About CES LLP
CES is a specialist company with three core divisions:
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Design consultancy
Our expert team provides design solutions in:- Lighting – Thoughtfully designed illumination for heritage and specialist buildings.
- Electrical – Reliable and efficient electrical systems tailored to historical and sensitive environments.
- Heating – Sustainable and effective heating solutions that respect the integrity of the buildings we work with.
- Project installation
Our skilled installation teams:- Competitively tender and professionally execute projects of all sizes.
- Deliver high-quality results with precision, care, and a deep understanding of heritage requirements.
- Small works & Maintenance
We support clients with:
- Simple, transparent quotations for any electrical small work.
- Quotations for ongoing maintenance to upkeep existing lighting and electrical systems.
- Specialist access equipment to achieve maintenance in high architectural buildings.
- Ongoing care to preserve and enhance the buildings' functionality and aesthetics.
With decades of experience collaborating with architects, consultants, and clients in the heritage sector, CES has built a reputation for excellence. Our work focuses on heritage, ecclesiastical, and educational buildings—this is our passion and expertise. At CES, we take a servant-hearted approach, always striving for practical solutions and successful outcomes. We are committed to upholding the integrity and reputation of the industry while delivering exceptional service.
We've partnered with CES for over 20 years, and their service has consistently been professional, reliable, and delivered with exceptional quality. They always go above and beyond to meet our expectations.
- Kevin Jackson, Coloma Convent School for Girls, Shirley, Surrey
I’ve worked with CES for over 10 years and found their work to be high-quality and reasonably priced. Their engineers are trustworthy, reliable, and skilled, always taking the time to understand project and client needs. I highly recommend them.
- James Fisher, Goldsmiths Centre, London
The creativity and innovation which CES brought to our project was impressive as was your flexibility and value for money.
- Simon Lace, Rochester Cathedral
Caring Professionals, You listened and worked with us, you had our best interests at heart, understood our context and constraints and were responsive and adaptive.
- The Revd Sue Cooke, St Thomas Balham
As dealers in high end English antique furniture, we were looking for a company that understood the importance of lighting historical objects with care and an attention to detail. CES provided us with that service and offered considered, bespoke solutions to our lighting needs. Once the design was agreed, the installation was carried out in a professional and courteous manner by their team of specialists. The new lighting in our gallery, apart from looking very smart, is now 100% LED and very stable in colour making our furniture look its best as well as protecting it from the heat generated by older halogen light fittings.
- Guy Haste, Ronald Philips, Mayfair
A complete service from start to finish with excellence in all departments throughout.
- Andrew Scott, St Marks Biggin Hill
The project was overseen with excellent care and attention, and the completed project has greatly enhanced the internal features of the building, and brought the rich decorative detail to life.
- Jon Chiffins, Cambridge University
We have all been starkly aware of your hard work, dedication, kindness and commitment to a very high standard of work, and how you have stood out enormously from other companies that we have worked with in the past.
- Gabriel Anstis, St Augustines Highbury
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David Burch
Senior Lighting Designer -
John Hebberd
Senior Electrical Designer and Control Specialist -
Ryan Slessenger – Senior Partner
Lighting & Electrical Designer -
Grant Ashworth – Partner
Small Works and Maintenance Manager
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Craig Smith – Partner
Projects Manager -
David Hore
Office & Accounts Manager -
Graham Smith
Surveyor -
Graeme Torry
Senior Electrician
*Only the senior team members are listed.
Preserving Heritage, Illuminating Futures:
In our comprehensive training program, we focus on nurturing young electrical and lighting operatives, guiding them through rigorous instruction towards qualification. Our distinctive emphasis is on preparing them to navigate historical buildings, preserving their fabric while integrating modern wiring, systems, and products.
Our curriculum provides a blend of theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience, equipping trainees with the skills needed to tackle the intricate challenges posed by historical structures.
Through immersive workshops and practical exercises, trainees develop a keen eye for detail and learn to approach each project with meticulous care, striving to uphold the integrity of every historic building they encounter. By fostering a deep appreciation for heritage preservation alongside technical proficiency, we train our operatives to serve as custodians of the past while paving the way for a brighter, more sustainable future.
COMMON TRAINING COURSES:
- CAD Software Development
- Lighting Design Software
- Electrical Qualifications
- Lighting Design Qualifications
- Working at height & safety courses
Our History
Three Generations of Excellence in Lighting & Electrical Work.
CES LLP is a family-run business with a legacy spanning over three generations. We specialise in architectural lighting design, sensitive electrical installations, routine electrical maintenance, and electrical heating solutions. Our work is trusted by heritage and ecclesiastical authorities, and we serve a diverse range of historic and specialist buildings, including churches, museums, libraries, schools, private chapels, and meeting halls.
Our Story
In 1948, Ronald Stanley Smith transitioned from his role as a Navy engineer to begin his career as an electrical engineer. By the late 1960s, he had founded his own electrical business, working on some of London’s most prestigious buildings.
Ronald’s son, Graham Smith, joined the family business and took over in the late 1980s following his father’s retirement. In 1991, the company was rebranded as C.E.S. (Complete Electrical Services).
The late 1990s marked a pivotal shift, Graham expanded CES beyond electrical contracting to become a specialist lighting design and build company. During this time, CES played an active role in the Millennium Lottery scheme, collaborating with English Heritage to illuminate historic buildings across the UK.
Ryan Slessenger and Grant Ashworth, Graham’s nephews, began their apprenticeships with CES in 1995 and 1999. With the exception of Ryan serving two years as an Electrical Officer on the mission ship MS Logos II, both worked their way up in the company.
In 2013, Ryan and Grant became Partners, continuing CES’s development in preparation for Graham’s retirement. Two years later, Graham retired, and his son, Craig Smith, joined as the third Partner. Like his cousins, Craig had begun his career at CES as an apprentice.
CES Today
Under the leadership of Ryan, Grant, and Craig, CES has evolved into CES Lighting & Electrical Specialists LLP, a name that reflects our broad expertise across lighting, electrical heating, and all aspects of electrical installation.
- Our dedicated design team creates specifications for approval and tendering.
- Our installation team, led by Grant and Craig, delivers a full range of electrical and heating solutions, from specialist heritage work to modern electrical systems.
- We continue to develop our team, training apprentices and staff to uphold the craftsmanship, innovation, and attention to detail that define CES.
Throughout our history, CES has remained committed to quality & care, ensuring that every project, whether historic or contemporary, is carried out with expertise and integrity.
Contact Us
Have a question or a project in mind? Get in touch — we’re here to help and happy to discuss your requirements.
