Devine completes year as ECA president

At the end of a very busy year, SJD’s managing director, Ruth Devine MBE, has completed her role as President of the Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA).

As only the second female president in the ECA’s 124-year history, she has travelled the length and breadth of the UK visiting the regions, engaging with members and getting to know the people at the heart of the industry.

Ruth said: “What an amazing year it has been. I’ve been really lucky to have the opportunity to get to know so many aspects of our sector – from commercial associates and the Electrical Distributors Association to meeting with our European counterparts and American associations and contractors to get their insight.

“I’ve really enjoyed meeting people and hearing their thoughts on where the industry is going and what we can do to improve it, and I’ve been proud to play my part in the important work of reviewing the ECA’s governance and developing a new strategic direction that aims to increase value for its members.

“But I haven’t gone quite yet. As we face the challenges of electrification, the skills shortage and improving and demonstrating competence for better building safety, I’m looking forward to supporting the Officers’ team for next 12 months. Their hard work, shared future vision and commitment to do the best possible for all members is inspiring.

“This is a fantastic industry with committed members all working together to shape the future for the next 125 years.”

Phip Woodhatch Owen, Head of Regions at the ECA thanked Ruth for her service and said: “Ruth has made a significant impact on Members and ECA staff across all regions. I think she will sit back and see so much of what she has initiated become part of ECA in the future.

“She’s been a brilliant ambassador for ECA and shown the wider industry that ECA is very much an organisation for today and for the future but has a proud history that has evolved in keeping with the rest of the world.”

The ECA is the UK’s leading trade association for the electrotechnical and wider engineering services industry, helping members to build strong businesses and a resilient industry. Ruth will be succeeded by Glenn Grant who becomes the 113th  president of the ECA.