{"id":10460,"date":"2025-11-18T16:23:54","date_gmt":"2025-11-18T15:23:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gpsj.co.uk\/?p=10460"},"modified":"2025-11-18T16:24:26","modified_gmt":"2025-11-18T15:24:26","slug":"campaigning-trade-body-select-honours-fellow-electrical-trade-association-eca-with-lifetime-achievement-award-at-125th-anniversary-grand-ball","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gpsj.co.uk\/?p=10460","title":{"rendered":"Campaigning trade body SELECT honours fellow electrical trade association ECA with Lifetime Achievement Award at 125th\u00a0Anniversary Grand Ball"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

SELECT President Mike Stark pays tribute to ECA as \u201ca close friend and a younger sister\u201d as part of the Scottish organisation\u2019s celebrations<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Electrical Contractors\u2019 Association (ECA)<\/a> has been recognised for more than a century of exceptional service to the electrotechnical industry after receiving the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award from SELECT<\/a> at its 125th<\/sup> Anniversary Grand Ball.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scotland\u2019s largest construction trade association used its celebrations to reward the ECA for its unwavering commitment to the industry since 1901 \u2013 one year after its counterpart was formed north of the Border.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The award was presented in front of 300 guests at the Glasgow Marriott Hotel<\/a> on Friday 14 November, at an event hosted by TV and radio personality Fred MacAulay and sponsored by the Scolmore Group.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Introducing the winner, SELECT President, Mike Stark<\/strong>, said: \u201cAs well as being a great supporter and ally of SELECT over the years, tonight\u2019s winner has worked tirelessly to improve standards in the electrical industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThey are patient, knowledgeable, always eager to help and go the extra mile to ensure that electrical contractors of all sizes have the help and support they need to carry out their work safely and to the highest standards.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Ruth Devine, Mike Stark and Steve Bratt at the SELECT 125th Anniversary Grand Ball<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

\u201cSELECT is proud to call our winner a close friend, and a younger sister. So I am delighted to present the 2025 SELECT Lifetime Achievement Award to the ECA.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The award was accepted on behalf of the ECA by Steve Bratt, Group CEO, and Ruth Devine MBE, who is the body\u2019s President.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr Bratt<\/strong>, said: \u201cEveryone likes a prize, especially from an elder sibling, but we\u2019ve just won a prize from an organisation that is 125 years old and has done amazing things for the Scottish electrical contracting industry and knows us very well. So the fact they have chosen us for this award is a real honour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn behalf of our President, all the staff at ECA, and all of our members, a real big thank you for such an honour and we look forward to working with you for another 125 years.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ms. Devine<\/strong> added: \u201cThis award is particularly meaningful because it acknowledges the long-standing collaboration between our two associations. Together, we have championed apprenticeships, strengthened competence, and supported businesses to deliver safe, high-quality work in a fast-changing industry. On behalf of our members, staff and volunteers, I want to thank SELECT for this exceptional recognition.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SELECT<\/strong>\u00a0Managing Director Alan Wilson,<\/strong>\u00a0said: \u201cThe ECA has been a steadfast partner and a vital force for good in our industry for more than 120 years. Its expertise, leadership and commitment to raising standards have benefited not just its members but the entire electrotechnical sector across the UK.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe are delighted to honour its remarkable contribution with our Lifetime Achievement Award; it is an accolade richly deserved.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 124 years ago, the ECA has been a driving force in raising technical excellence, developing skills, shaping legislation and supporting thousands of businesses across the electrotechnical and engineering services sectors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Its influence has spanned generations, from the early days of domestic electrification in the 1920s and 1930s to today\u2019s future-focused industry of high-performance buildings, renewable technologies and low-carbon innovation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 125th<\/sup> Anniversary Grand Ball<\/a> gathered SELECT members, political leaders, senior decision-makers and industry partners to celebrate the founding of the world\u2019s first electrical trade association.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The event also recognised the invaluable ongoing support of sponsors and Associate Members including CEF, Edmundson Electrical, Wylex, Morton Fraser MacRoberts, Schneider Electric, OCS and ECIS.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Lifetime Achievement Award remains SELECT\u2019s most prestigious honour, previously presented to leading figures including Past Presidents John Noble<\/a> and Alick Smith and industry payment specialist Len Bunton.<\/p>\n\n\n\n