In May, Glenn Grant, Director of Drax360 (part of Obsequio Group), became the 113th President of the Electrical Contractors' Association (ECA). In ECA’s 125th Anniversary year, and at a time of rapid change across the electrotechnical sector, from safe energy transition to digitalisation, Glenn shares his priorities, experience and vision for supporting ECA Members in the year ahead.

What does it mean to you to be ECA President?

It’s a huge privilege and honour to represent ECA Members and to help champion the electrotechnical sector. For me, being President is about listening to Members, reflecting their priorities back into ECA’s work, and representing ECA in front of wider industry, Government and related stakeholders including Europe.

Can you tell us a bit about your background and professional journey? 

I’ve spent my career in the electrotechnical sector, specifically fire detection and alarm systems, working across sales, delivery and business leadership, with a consistent focus on safety, quality of service and developing people. I was lucky enough to receive superb management and business training at an early age and still work to the principles I was taught then. Many people I’ve managed have developed their careers into senior positions – some have created and now run their own businesses which is personally so rewarding. 

Over time, my work has reinforced how important strong technical standards and good commercial practices are for successful contracting businesses—areas where ECA has long provided real value to Members.

What are your priorities for your presidential year? 

My main priority is ensuring ECA continues to provide practical support that helps Member businesses deliver safe, high-quality work and build strong businesses. I also want to help more Members make full use of what ECA already offers—particularly practical business support such as the Growth Hub, started by recent ECA Presidents Sean Smyth & Stuart Smith and grown both in breadth and momentum under Immediate Past President, Ruth Devine.

ECA is firmly focused on Member value and on the issues that most affect Member businesses day-to-day: competence and skills, regulation and standards, and fairer commercial practices. I’m here to support that.

You have been an ECA Member for 25 years of ECA’s 125 year history, tell us about the change you have seen in the electrotechnical industry over the years. 

The biggest change has been the pace of innovation and the breadth of systems that we install. The industry has moved far beyond traditional installation work into complex systems, digital technologies, and energy-related solutions. At the same time, the focus on competence, compliance and safety has rightly intensified, and client expectations have continued to rise—making it more important than ever that contractors have strong support and representation.

Another big change has been in the attitude to safety – from both employer and employee. 25 years ago, you could walk onto pretty much any site with little understanding of Health and Safety (H&S) implications. The industry’s focus on reducing accidents and H&S management, such as competence and safe working practices, is happily very different.  In 2000 there were over 100 construction industry fatalities. In 2025 there were 35, which is good a decrease, but still 35 too many.

What do you see as the biggest opportunities and challenges facing our industry right now? 

There are huge opportunities in electrification and the transition to net zero—covering areas like renewable integration, EV infrastructure, building safety improvements, energy efficiency and smarter buildings. The challenges in this booming market are just as real: addressing skills shortages, demonstrating and maintaining competence, keeping pace with changing standards and regulation, and navigating commercial pressures such as procurement models, payment risk and rising costs.

What role should ECA play in helping the industry respond to these opportunities and challenges? 

ECA should continue to be a strong, credible voice for our sector—representing Members with government, clients and wider stakeholders. Equally importantly, ECA should remain a practical partner for Members: providing clear technical guidance, business support and insight that helps companies stay compliant, competitive and confident as the industry evolves.

What will success look like during your presidency? 

Success will be Members (and new Members) feeling that ECA is helping them in a tangible way—whether that’s through stronger representation on key policy and standards issues, clearer guidance, or more businesses using ECA support services (did I mention Growth Hub?) to improve performance and win work on the right terms. If engagement increases and Members tell us they are seeing real value, that will be a great outcome.

What’s your favourite thing to do when you’re not working? 

Family – spending time with my wife at home in Cambridgeshire and with my daughter who lives & works abroad. Cycling (when I’m fit - I train and hope to race again in the velodromes), walking our dog (we have a lurcher who recently went up Snowdon with me) and skiing in the winter. I also love to cook for people (not myself – I’m happy with marmite on toast) and enjoy a good glass of wine or two with the food. Oh - and supporting Spurs which has been a challenge these past two seasons.

What’s the best piece of advice that you have been given in your career so far? 

Focus on doing the basics brilliantly: quality, safety and professionalism — even when it hurts or costs. Reputation is hard won and easily lost, and in our sector the right approach to competence and compliance is essential for protecting people as well as building successful businesses.

What message would you like to share with ECA Members as you begin your presidency? 

My message is simple - don’t try to tackle our industry challenges alone. Please get involved,  tell us what you need and make full use of ECA’s support—especially the Growth Hub—so we can help more Members strengthen capability, improve performance and take advantage of the opportunities ahead.