Senior industry figures gathered at London’s Science Museum for ECA’s National Business Day to explore AI, electrification, clean energy and business growth as ECA marked its 125th anniversary.

Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA) brought together Members from across the electrotechnical and engineering services industry for its National Business Day, showcasing the ideas, technologies and strategies that will help future-proof businesses in a fast-changing market.

Held at London’s iconic Science Museum on 18 June, the event welcomed senior leaders from across the sector for a day of insight, discussion and celebration as ECA marked its 125th anniversary.

The day opened with Rob Smith, BBC broadcaster, alongside ECA President and Director of Drax360 (part of Obsequio group) Glenn Grant, setting the scene for a programme focused on innovation, business growth and the opportunities ahead.

Tech journalist, TV presenter and AI keynote speaker, Georgie Barrat, explored how artificial intelligence and the electrification of everything will reshape both the industry and the wider UK economy.

Julie Beaufils, Secretary General of EuropeOn, shared a continental perspective, highlighting similar opportunities and challenges across Europe.

Panel discussions explored the scale of the opportunities ahead, including in data infrastructure and clean energy. Georgie Barrat and Julie Beaufils were joined by data centre expert Simona Capparella, Chris Sadler of ECA Member Kimbletech on solar power, and Chris Catterick of ECA Member SES Engineering on the role of gigafactories in building the batteries needed for electric vehicles.

A second panel discussion focused on what ECA Members need to do now to seize these opportunities. Wider industry perspectives came from Yselkla Farmer, CEO of the British Electrotechnical and Allied Manufacturers’ Association (BEAMA), and Luke Osborne, Technical Director at Electrical Safety First, while ECA Members Chris Wright of Powercor and Chris Jenkins of RDM/EFT Consult shared practical insights from the frontline.

The final session brought together Ruth Devine MBE, ECA’s Immediate Past President and Managing Director of SJD Associates, and leading experts in business growth, Professor Paula Whitehouse of Aston University, and Professor Mark Hart of Warwick Business School. Together, they shared practical strategies for scaling up and building long-term success.

During the interactive lunch break, attendees also had the chance to meet exhibitors and look at their displays of products both from the past and present.

There was also an interview with Cranfield University’s humanoid, as well as a demonstration from its robodog. 

Andrew Eldred, ECA’s Managing Director, closed the day with his reflections on the event, reiterating ECA’s increasingly important role in supporting Members to overcome challenges, grasp opportunities, and build strong, successful businesses that last. 

A celebratory drinks reception concluded the day, which marked ECA’s milestone anniversary.

Steve Bratt, Group CEO at ECA, said:

“Our National Business Day showed exactly why our sector has such a vital role to play in the UK’s future. From artificial intelligence and electrification to clean energy, digitalisation and new business models, the opportunities for ECA Members are significant. 

“By bringing together expert insight, practical examples and forward-looking discussion, we wanted to give businesses the knowledge and confidence to take the next step, invest in growth and position themselves for long-term success.”