Overview
ECA's Technical team supports Members by providing practical, responsive guidance on technical standards and compliance across the electrical and engineering services sector.
With their collective backgrounds spanning site work, assessment, training, and standards development, the team always combine practical knowledge with deep technical expertise throughout their work. And so together, they support Members with clear and trusted guidance, helping them stay compliant, confident, and informed in a fast‑moving regulatory landscape.
The people behind the Technical team
Gary Parker CEng MIET MCIBSE 
Head of Technical Standards
About: Gary leads ECA’s Technical Standards work, representing Members across UK and international Standards bodies to ensure contractor interests are reflected in regulations and guidance.
Qualifications
- Represents Members on key UK and international Standards committees, including JPEL, EXL, GEL, IEC and CENELEC
- Leads on Standards covering electrical installations, emergency lighting, hazardous areas and earthing
- Acts as a key industry representative for ECA, engaging with certification bodies, manufacturers, charities, and European stakeholders
- Background as a practitioner, project manager, tutor, and engineer, bringing strong real‑world insight
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Darren Crannis MEng (Hons)
DIS MIET
Technical Manager
About: Darren provides specialist technical support, drawing on a strong academic and practical background to support Members with complex electrical and compliance matters.
Qualifications
- Began his career as an Electrical Apprentice with Motorola and holds a Master’s degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering (MEng Hons, DIS)
- MIET member and JIB Gold Card holder, with advanced qualifications in inspection & testing, EV charging, Solar PV, electrical energy storage, and fire detection systems (BS 5839‑1)
- Holds Level 4 design and initial verification (C&G 2396) and CompEx ESF+, with IOSH certification
- Former Qualified Supervisor (QS) and Principal Duty Holder (PDH), bringing strong leadership and compliance experience
- Active contributor to BS 7671 standards development, serving on JPEL/64 committees, with specialist expertise in inspection and testing, critical power, and temporary power systems (BS 7909)Follow Darren on LinkedIn
Chris Edwards MIET
Technical Manager
About: Chris supports ECA Members with technical guidance, training and compliance, bringing extensive hands-on and leadership experience from across the industry.
Qualifications
- Began his career working with electrical contractors, progressing from electrician to Electrical Manager, leading a team of 14 electricians
- Holds key industry qualifications including City & Guilds 2360 and 2391, and is a MIET member
- Extensive involvement in industry standards and working groups, including JPEL A, WRAG, CB4, EL1/1, and multiple CIBSE and IET panels, with a focus on wiring regulations and heat pump installations
- Moved into the specialist rail sector, working as a Commissioning Manager on major infrastructure projects such as HS2 and CrossrailFollow Chris on LinkedIn
Curtis Jones MIET
Technical Manager
About: Curtis supports ECA’s technical services, providing practical, experience-led advice to Members across a wide range of electrical installations.
Qualifications
- Entered the industry via a JIB electrical apprenticeship, with strong on‑site experience across large‑scale commercial and industrial projects
- Brings hands‑on expertise in fault‑finding and Inspection & Testing
- Spent several years in education and training, delivering apprenticeship programmes and Ofqual‑approved commercial courses
- Holds advanced industry qualifications including C&G 2396 Level 4 Design & Verification and C&G 2391‑52 Inspection & Testing, plus Level 3 courses in EV, PV and large‑scale installations
- MIET member who contributes to national technical working groups, including JPEL/C/64, and chairs ECA’s internal Zero Carbon Working Group
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