An array of electrotechnical and engineering services contractors and individuals were recognised at the 2024 ECA Industry Awards, held on Friday 11 October at the London Hilton Bankside Hotel.
The event, supported by headline sponsors AICO and Electrium, highlighted key achievements by leading talent in the sector.
This annual event provides a fantastic opportunity for contractors and other supply chain organisations to network and celebrate excellence.
Photos of the winners can be viewed and downloaded here.
Save the date for the 2025 ECA Industry Awards, which will be held on Friday 10th October 2025!
The winners were…
FSA Outstanding Contribution to Fire Detection and Alarm Industry, sponsored by Kidde
Winner: Graham Newman
Graham has been an outstanding advocate and industry leader for over 40 years. His career started at BOC on a graduate recruitment program having gained an engineering degree from Leicester University. Later he started his own business manufacturing low pressure gas cylinders before diversifying into fire extinguishers where his extensive and influential journey into the fire sector began.
FSA Outstanding Contribution to Security Systems Industry award, sponsored by the FSA
Winner: Kevin Sparrow
Kevin started his career as an electrician but soon discovered a passion for teaching and mentoring. Over the past decade he has been a driving force behind Building Services Engineering qualifications, with a particular focus on Fire and Security.
Contractor of the Year Award (up to £1mn turnover) sponsored by Electric Center
Winner: RKES (Wales)
RKES (Wales) delivered a superb programme of electrical design and installation work transforming over 100 school kitchens for Cardiff City Council. This work supported the Welsh Government to achieve its Universal Free School Meals initiative. An extremely challenging project as every school had varying requirements, with over half needing complete catering facility refurbishments. Working in partnership with ABM Catering for Leisure, RKES took it all in their stride to deliver this 2 year project.
Best Client Partnership Award, sponsored by the JIB
Winner: Alpine Works
For over 20 years Alpine Works has collaborated with a major London University enhancing and maintaining its extensive campus infrastructure. This client partnership has contributed to a much safer and, more recently, an improved efficient and sustainable campus environment. Through delivery of high quality, innovative solutions, Alpine says this long-lasting working relationship is based on mutual trust and continuous improvement. A great example of an enduring client partnership.
Best Health and Safety Initiative Award, sponsored by CHAS
Winner: EnergyAce
EnergyAce goes to great lengths to ensure all its employees are health and safety aware and comfortable with their individual roles. The judges particularly liked their approach in encouraging regular peer to peer engagement to share best practice, along with supporting daily tool box talks. The strong health and safety ethos within their senior team ensures EnergyAce remains up to date with legislation and good practice which is reflected by their exemplary safety record.
ECA Contractor of the Year Award (up to £5mn turnover), sponsored by Di-LOG
Winner: Source Electrical Services
Highly commended: Electrio
The judges were thoroughly impressed with Source Electrical Services. Not only has the business achieved substantial growth since it started in 2019, it’s delivered significant, innovative and sustainable solutions creating huge energy savings for their clients. In addition, Source Electrical supports its local community through free installation of defibrillators working in partnership with Great Western Air Ambulance and the Sam Polledri Foundation, who’s aim is to install public access defibrillators in as many places as possible.
Best Sustainability Project, sponsored by Luceco
Winner: RDM Electrical and Mechanical Services
RDM Electrical and Mechanical Services designed and installed the building engineering services for a new, pioneering development - the Cross Hands East SES project. This collaboration between Carmarthenshire County Council, the Welsh Government, and the Active Building Centre set new benchmarks in sustainable construction. RDM not only contributed to the sustainability of the project, but also demonstrated its commitment to community engagement, skills development and workplace wellbeing. RDM used over 1,900 apprentice hours on this project and partnered with local suppliers and recyclers supporting the local economy and reducing transport emissions.
Excellence in Training and Development Award, sponsored by JTL Training
Winner: Powercor
Highly commended: Geoffrey Robinson and Group Metropolitan
In the last 5 years Powercor has achieved significant growth which they say would not have been possible without its commitment to training and development. This happens throughout the organisation at all levels. Their strong focus on apprenticeships, as well as higher levels of training, has seen many staff progress into senior roles. In addition, they encourage self-learning and created a staff break-out and learning facility away from usual places of work. Each month Powercor presents a ‘Star of the Month’, awarded for positive attitude to training, or use of new skills.
Best Supply Chain Partnership, sponsored by CEF
Winner: Crown Highways
Crown Highways recently supported their supply chain partner, Suction Excavation UK, with an innovative idea to create a bespoke pedestrian exclusion zone around vacuum excavation vehicles. Site trials and further demos, at the National Highways Engagement Council, successfully secured new business. In addition, they recently won the Institute for Collaborative Working SME Award at the House of Lords in November 2023 for a supply chain partner collaboration which created significant social value opportunities.
FSA Best Fire and Security Project Award, sponsored by Fire Sense
Winner: Triple Star Fire and Security
Highly commended: DPJ Electrical Services
Triple Star Fire and Security successfully delivered a prestigious project for a British bank to design and install a fire and security system for its new HQ in a historic London building. Apart from delivering a superb project, Triple Star took initial decisive action to challenge unfavourable main contractor terms. With the support of ECA’s Legal team, Triple Star refused the unfavourable terms. The main contractor, however, dismissed this, so Triple Star took the initiative to speak with the client who was happy to contract with them directly. Their decision was heavily influenced by Triple Star’s ECA membership which gave the client confidence due to ECA’s work guarantees. The project was, of course, delivered on time, to budget and met client requirements.
ECA Contractor of the Year Award (up to £15mn turnover), sponsored by ABB
Winner: EnergyAce
Highly commended: Powercor
The judges were impressed by their exceptional business growth, strong client testimonials and considerable investment in staff development. With a clear focus on supporting clients to become more energy efficient, they’re also conscious of their own impact, having made significant changes to improve operations, including implementing a “green team”. EnergyAce also encourages employees to take a day’s paid leave for charitable causes, and supports the fuel poverty charity, National Energy Action.
ECA Contractor of the Year Award (up to £45mn turnover), sponsored by Edmundson Electrical (London)
Winner: Crown Highways
Highly commended: Pump Supplies
The judges were thoroughly impressed with their commitment to staff wellbeing, as well as ensuring they understand the importance of delivering excellence. With a strong focus on quality workmanship, and good health and safety, they drive forward terrific project solutions in liaison with clients, suppliers and other contractors. They also invest heavily in apprenticeships and management training. This is supported by a dedicated Academy which builds relationships with local training providers.
ECA Large Contractor of the Year Award, sponsored by Schneider Electric
Winner: Essex Services Group
In 2023 ESG was recognised by the Department of Education as one of the Top 50 apprentice employers amongst SME companies. They were also awarded by a major tier 1 contractor for commitment to training via their own business school and operational training academy. Digitisation is also at the forefront of ESG’s operational excellence. They’ve recently developed a robust, bespoke compliance and training system with online reporting and dashboards providing real time information from managing inductions through to safety systems for checking plant on site.
Major Contribution to the Industry Award
Winner: Liz Bridge
Although Liz has retired from the JTC after more than 3 decades of industry support and commitment, her activism never ceases. She now focuses on her role, over many years, as a prison Chaplain, and has become a lobbyist for prison reform. More recently, she’s been featured on both BBC and Channel 4 news for her work to improve the UK prison system.
BBC Sports Presenter, Mike Bushell, and voice of the National Lottery and Strictly Come Dancing, Alan Dedicoat, hosted the proceedings where guests also raised a total of £5,205 for the Electrical Industries Charity.
An independent panel of judges including Luke Osborne, Deputy Technical Director of Electrical Safety First, Paul Collins, Technical Director of Certsure, and Clair Bradley, Deputy Delivery Director at JTL, determined the winners from a pool of impressive entries. The awards were adjudicated by ECA Director of Member Services Helen Atkinson.
She commented, “Congratulations to this year's winners and runners-up. The ECA 2024 Industry Awards received some outstanding submissions, and the judges were particularly impressed by the commitment and dedication shown by all of the entrants.”
Full list of ECA Industry Awards judges 2023:
Richard Bowler, Professional Electrician & Installer, Editor
Clair Bradley, JTL, Deputy Delivery Director
Paul Collins, Certsure, Technical Director
Hywel Davies, CIBSE, Former Chief Technical Officer
Alex Minett, CHAS, Head of Global New Markets and Partnerships
Matt Nimmons, CEDIA EMEA, Managing Director
Luke Osborne, ESF, Deputy Technical Director
Kevin Sparrow, EAL, Industry & Portfolio Manager – BSE
Mike Smith, Director of Technical and SH&E (Head Judge)
Helen Atkinson, ECA, Director of Member Services (Adjudicator)
Last updated 17 October 24