New President of ECA announced

Ruth Devine MBE became the 112th President at ECA (Electrical Contractors’ Association) on 7 May, 2025. She is the second female President in ECA’s 124-year history, after Diane Johnson, who served in 2010-2011.

For the past 18 years, Ruth has been a director of award-winning contractor SJD Associates Ltd,based in Milton Keynes. A prominent figure in the electrotechnical and engineering services industry, Ruth brings extensive industry experience, a deep commitment to apprenticeships, and a passion for building a more inclusive and sustainable sector.

Outside of her professional role, she Chairs ECA’s Skills Committee, which advises ECA Council on relevant skills matters and supports member engagement with the skills system.

She is also employer Chair of The Electrotechnical Skills Partnership (TESP), which supports the industry with clear entry and progression routes, high quality training and assessment and leading research to support industry action.

She’s a founding member of the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education Construction Route Panel, and the Building Safety Regulator’s Industry Competence Committee.

Additionally, Ruth supports the Construction Leadership Council on skills issues and attends the Government’s Construction Skills Delivery Group.

In 2023 Ruth was awarded an MBE in the King’s New Year Honours list, for her services to further education and apprenticeships.

Ruth said: “It’s an honour to take on the role of ECA President at such a critical time for our industry. As we face the triple challenges of increasing demand for electrification, improving and demonstrating competence for better building safety and closing the skills gap, there has never been a more important moment to unite behind a vision of excellence, opportunity, and innovation. I look forward to working closely with our members, association staff, and stakeholders to champion the future of our sector.”

Steve Bratt, Group CEO at ECA, said: “Ruth has been instrumental in both the electrical and construction industries, driving home the importance of employing apprentices to meet the demand for having the skilled workforce to take the UK to net zero carbon emissions and beyond. She recognises the importance of having the talent pipeline in place now to secure a sustainable future.

“Having Ruth at the helm as President of ECA will further strengthen this drive to reach our common goal of future proofing the UK for the next generation of electrical contractors.”

At today’s ECA Council meeting, Jeremy Parkin has also been appointed as Vice President of ECA. He is Director at Powerlink Electrical Services in South Wales.

Glenn Grant has been made Senior Vice President, and Stuart Smith becomes Immediate Past President.

ECA is the UK’s largest trade association representing electrical, electrotechnical and other engineering contractors in England, Wales and Northern Ireland at regional, national and European level. ECA member-companies are rigorously assessed before membership is approved.

Member firms have a combined turnover in excess of £6 billion annually. Member firms carry out design, installation, inspection, testing, maintenance and monitoring activity across the domestic and commercial sectors. This ranges from power and lighting to data communications, to energy efficiency and renewables, as well as the design and installation of cutting-edge building control technologies.

ECA’s near 2,700 members range from SME electrical firms to nationwide engineering contractors and building services firms that employ thousands of professionals on major UK projects. ECA members also support over 5,000 apprentices annually.

This article was issued via Press Release as 'Ruth Devine MBE becomes ECA President' dated 7 May, 2025.

--ECA

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