Moray firms invited to light up national awards once again

ELECTRICAL INDUSTRY FIRMS in Moray are being invited to emulate the award-winning efforts of two local companies twelve months ago by submitting nominations this month.

The clock is ticking towards the celebration of Scotland’s electrical industry – the annual ‘SELECT’ awards.

In 2016 Lhanbryde-based electrical contractor Alistair Grant took the award for best delivery of customer service, while Elgin-based NES was successful in winning the project safety award.

Increased interest in the awards this year has resulted in the deadline for award entries to be extended to July 14 – with deliberations from judges due to begin on July 27.

In addition to the well-established award categories – which include Electrical Contractor of the Year, SJIB/Edmundson Apprentice of the Year and Lifetime Achievement – a new prize focusing on the distributor/wholesaler with the introduction of the Electrical Distributors’ Association (EDA) Scottish Section Apprentice of the Year.

This new award reflects the increasing demand for apprentices among Scotland’s distributors and is sponsored by EDA Apprenticeships Plus, with whom the EDA partners to deliver apprenticeship training for its members.

Chair of the EDA Scottish Section, Kristian Van Rensburg, said: “Apprentices are the future of our sector and we want to do everything we can to encourage them. The new award is designed to recognise the tremendous contribution they make.”

SELECT, the industry body for Scotland’s electrical sector professionals, is aiming for record figures for this year’s awards ceremony which, as in years past, will be held at the stylish Radisson Blu in Glasgow on Friday October 13.

SELECT Managing Director Newell McGuiness said: “This year we will welcome entrants across a wider variety of categories and we are encouraging Members to showcase their achievements. The SELECT Awards are the most prestigious in the UK electrotechnical calendar.

“They are again dedicated to upholding and celebrating the highest standards in our industry with categories covering a wide range of disciplines and services. We will celebrate innovation and reward individuals and members across the industry in Scotland.”

SELECT Members account for around 90% of all electrical installation work carried out in Scotland. They have a collective turnover of around £1 billion and provide employment for 15,000 people.

NES managing director Kenny Duncan was recently appointed as vice president of SELECT: “I am very honoured to have been chosen for this important role.

“I have supported SELECT and its vision and ambitions for many years, and this new post will give me the opportunity to contribute to the welfare of our members.”

NES was established in 2012 with its HQ in Elgin and an office in Inverness. The firm has been winning awards ever since. It has grown from 14 employees four years ago to nearly 50 today.

Newell McGuiness said: “We are delighted to have been able to secure Kenny Duncan’s services in this role. He will bring a wealth of experience to the organisation and I know that everyone at SELECT will join me in welcoming him aboard.”