Mackwell Group has a pioneering approach to safety, sustainability, and performance across critical sectors through its three interconnected divisions: Mackwell Emergency, EL&C, and Mackwell Health. Operating as a unified force with global reach, these specialist divisions work collaboratively to deliver cutting-edge, compliant and sustainable solutions that meet the complex demands of modern industry.
The group combines decades of expertise with a shared commitment to innovation and excellence, and its strength lies in the ability to harness cross-sector knowledge to create integrated systems that prioritise safety, efficiency, and health.
Under the leadership of Group CEO Nick Brangwin and Managing Director Nathan Ennis, the company has grown into a dynamic organisation. Whether it’s through compliant emergency lighting systems, intelligent energy solutions, or cutting-edge UV-C infection prevention, Mackwell Group delivers integrated, high-performance systems tailored to the complex demands of the modern world.
Nick Brangwin and Nathan Ennis have explored the journey behind the Mackwell Group, the strategic thinking that fuels its growth, and how collectively they are shaping the future across life safety, sustainability, and healthcare.
Nick Brangwin explains the key milestones that have shaped the growth of the years. “Mackwell’s journey began back in 1979, with a clear vision to develop high-quality emergency lighting components that would help shape global safety standards. That mission has guided us ever since.
A major turning point came in 1993, when we moved into a purpose-built R&D and manufacturing facility. That gave us the space and capability to really take control of our innovation and production processes in-house.
By 1996, we’d secured our first international export account, and by 1999, exports made up 65% of our turnover – a real signal that we were becoming a serious player on the global stage. In 2004, we launched XYLUX, one of the first LED emergency lighting products on the market, which positioned us at the forefront of innovation in our sector. Then in 2010, we became one of only two companies globally to offer DALI-approved emergency lighting components, which led to us supplying components for projects like the London Olympics.
In 2011, I led a solo management buyout that marked a new chapter for the business – one focused on agility, innovation, and global growth.
Since then, we’ve continued to push the boundaries. In 2014, we launched Xy-Fi, the world’s smallest emergency lighting product. In 2018, Nathan Ennis, Peter Wilsher and I co-founded EL&C to deliver turnkey energy and decarbonisation solutions. Then, in 2021, we launched Mackwell Health, and in 2024, we achieved ISO13485 accreditation to manufacture medical-grade devices.
We’ve evolved from a specialist in emergency lighting to a multi-sector technology group – operating across life safety, sustainability, and healthcare. That strategic diversification has been key to our resilience and relevance in shaping smart infrastructure and public health.”
At the heart of the group is Mackwell Emergency – a global leader in emergency lighting and safety systems, engineered to protect people when it matters the most. With a focus on reliability, compliance, and technological innovation, Mackwell Emergency delivers trusted solutions for environments where performance is paramount.
Complementing this is EL&C, the division dedicated to delivering turnkey energy solutions. Through intelligent, compliant lighting and power systems, EL&C helps organisations reduce their carbon footprint while maintaining the highest standards in energy performance and operational integrity.
Mackwell Health completes the group trio, leading the way in infection prevention through advanced UV-C disinfection technologies. By creating safer environments in healthcare, education, and public settings, Mackwell Health addresses the growing global need for effective and sustainable hygiene solutions.
Mackwell Group has evolved significantly. Nathan Ennis explains the factors that have contributed to the group’s expansion, particularly in Mackwell Health, Mackwell Emergency Lighting, and EL&C.
Nathan shared: “I think what’s really driven Mackwell Group’s expansion is our ability to stay grounded in what we do best – technical excellence and compliance – while also being willing to challenge ourselves and step into new spaces where we can add real value.
With Mackwell Emergency Lighting, it’s about quality, innovation, and reliability. It’s a global brand that continues to evolve in response to what the built environment needs.
EL&C was born in 2018 from a recognition that clients were no longer just looking for products – they needed solutions that tackled energy performance, compliance, and sustainability holistically. So, we built a business that brings together cross-functional expertise and supports projects from advice to implementation.
Mackwell Health is a natural extension of that mindset. Coming out of the pandemic, the need for infection control in public and healthcare spaces became obvious. With our background in monitoring systems and compliance-led design, we had the foundation to respond quickly, and getting accredited to manufacture medical-grade devices in 2024 was a major achievement.
At the core, our expansion is about solving problems where we have the skills and vision to make a real differenc
Over the years, Mackwell Group has diversified its offerings. Nick Brangwin explains. “Diversification has been a strategic focus for quite some time. Even before the pandemic, I knew we needed to invest in emerging markets – not just geographically, but in adjacent sectors that aligned with our core strengths.
The foundation has always been Mackwell Emergency, but the skills and infrastructure we’ve built had the potential to go much further. EL&C came out of that thinking in 2018. We saw a need for turnkey energy and compliance solutions, especially as legislation around decarbonisation tightened. It was a natural progression to go from being a component supplier to a solution provider.
Then, with the pandemic, it became obvious our compliance, monitoring, and system integrity expertise could support the healthcare sector. That’s why we launched Mackwell Health in 2021 – not to react to the crisis, but to build longer-term solutions for infection prevention and smart medical systems. Achieving ISO13485 in 2024 was a huge validation of that direction.
Everything we do across the Group is underpinned by trust, compliance, and performance in safety-critical environments. That focus has enabled us to diversify without diluting our identity.”
Together, the divisions of Mackwell Group form a powerful network that redefines what it means to be future-ready. Nathan Ennis goes on to explain the industry trends that have played a pivotal role in driving the group’s growth in recent years. “There have been a few key trends that have really shaped how we operate and where we’ve invested.
In emergency lighting, technology is transforming expectations. It’s no longer just a passive compliance product – clients now want smart, connected systems that enable remote monitoring, automated testing, and full integration with building management systems. That’s been a huge area of innovation for us.
We’ve also seen a stronger global focus on fire safety, especially in complex environments like hospitals, airports, and commercial buildings. That plays directly into our strengths in compliance and engineering integrity.
Market-wise, in places like the Middle East, growth is being fuelled by new infrastructure and economic development. Those regions are looking for top-tier, compliant systems, and our presence there positions us well.
Meanwhile, in mature markets like the UK and Europe, growth is being driven by retrofitting, sustainability mandates, and long-term resilience. That’s the sweet spot for EL&C, where we can really help customers meet regulatory and ESG goals.
We’re always listening to what the market needs – and making sure we’re positioned to meet it.”
With a future-focused strategy and a leadership team driven by purpose, Mackwell Group is not only responding to today’s challenges but actively shaping the standards of tomorrow. Whether it’s through pioneering emergency lighting, smart energy solutions, or advanced infection prevention technologies, Mackwell Group is a trusted partner in building safer, more resilient, and more sustainable environments worldwide.
