ECA ANNUAL DINNER 2025
Alfie Watterson, ECA NI Regional Manager.
Stuart Smith, ECA National President.
HELD AT THE CULLODEN ESTATE AND SPA ON APRIL 4, THE EVENT WAS ATTENDED BY 140 GUESTS AND RAISED £2,235 FOR CHARITY PARTNER DIABETES UK… ECA hosts its NI Regional Dinner 2025
Members of the Northern Ireland branch of the Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA) assembled for its Annual Dinner at the Culloden Estate and Spa on April 4. Hosted by TV sports presenter Adrian Logan, the evening welcomed 140 guests and included a drinks reception, four- course dinner and entertainment from comedian Tim McGarry. ECA NI Chairman Richard Gilmour from NUGENT welcomed National President Stuart Smith from the association’s head office in London, with both representatives toasting members and offering an update on ECA news and activities. Grace was delivered by Past NI Chairman Richard Megarity of Irwin M&E, while guests also viewed a video outlining the important work of Diabetes UK, before raising £2,235 for the event’s charity partner. Sponsors included Ansell, CEF, Crane, Edmundson Electrical, G4S, Ireland’s Electrical Magazine, Knightsbridge, Malone Lighting, Solutions and Whitecroft Lighting.
“Contractors have faced another difficult year with procurement issues and payment issues top of the agenda,” said the NI Chairman. “Members have welcomed the support from ECA, with improved web access offering the information they need fast and efficiently, and also regular communication updates and webinars to keep members informed in challenging times. ECA has now launched a new app to enable members having access to services even when on the move.” Key events for the ECA NI Branch over the past year have included an ETT Industry Forum held at Mossley Mill, Newtownabbey in February 2025, and well attended by employers, accreditation bodies and government agencies. A further forum is planned for June 2025. In November 2024, members of the ECA NI Regional Committee attended a meeting with Dublin ECA representatives in the Construction Industry Federation offices. “It is good to see a good turnout of ECA Dublin members attending the dinner
tonight including Eammon Thornton, current vice president of ECA in the south,” said Richard. “The meeting in Dublin was an opportunity to share current issues around skills, apprentices and payment that affect both parts of the island.” With local ECA contractors contributing up to 70% of public sector contract value in Northern Ireland, the Chairman said the association is in a strong position to continue lobbying government on key issues such as fair payment, project bank accounts, retentions, training, skills and apprenticeships. “A larger, stronger association can only be of benefit to the whole industry,” he said. ECA is the UK’s leading trade association for the electrotechnical and wider engineering services industry, offering support and advice to its members on technical issues, regulations and standards, health and safety, skills and employment, and much more. ECA Northern Ireland Regional Office: T: +44 (0)28 9147 9527 E: alfie.watterson@eca.co.uk www.eca.co.uk
76 | IRELAND’S ELECTRICAL MAGAZINE
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