AGM sees delegates celebrate a proud past while looking to the future

Iain Mason
Jun 23
3 min read

This year’s get-together saw Members, staff and guests gather to salute both the electrotechnical industry and the ongoing contribution of the association during its 125th year

Branch Chairs show off their traditional medals of office

Celebrating the past while looking to the future was the theme of this year’s AGM, which reviewed recent progress and outlined the future for Members and the sector itself.

Gathering at the DoubleTree Hilton Queensferry Crossing on 5 June, the annual get-together welcomed more than 40 delegates including seven Branch Chairs, who wore their traditional medals of office in recognition of the association’s 125th anniversary.

Also in attendance were Past Presidents Kevin Griffin, John Noble, Alick Smith and David Smith, SECTT CEO Fiona Harper and ECA Past President Stuart Smith, with Dimplex and National Ventilation exhibiting.

Four representatives from Member firm OCS also attended to see their UK & Ireland Technical Director Mike Stark welcome guests to the 113th AGM in his capacity as SELECT President.

Mike also provided his own snapshot of current activity in SELECT and the wider industry, delivering updates on apprenticeships, skills and regulation of the sector.

Grant Stewart, Alan Watt and Mike Campbell share a joke ahead of the AGM

He told delegates: “One of the most pressing issues facing our sector is a skills shortage, with an increasing numbers of experienced electricians retiring. Apprenticeships help towards a solution to this challenge, providing a pipeline of fresh talent to fill crucial roles.

“Looking to the future, it’s also clear that our dependency on electricity has grown and it’s apparent that the sector needs to be supported on its quest for regulation.

“We are much better prepared than ever for pushing the campaign to a successful conclusion and while it may take longer than we hoped, I’m confident that we will eventually achieve regulation for this safety-critical industry.”

Director of Finance & Resources and Association Secretary John McGhee then led Members through the annual accounts and confirmed the membership subscription and turnover levy for 2026.

After Mike and Darren Crockett were re-elected as President as Vice President for another year, Managing Director Alan Wilson announced the launch of the SELECT manifesto for the 2026 Scottish Parliamentary elections and outlined its main political talking points.

The formal proceedings were then followed by a technical update as Director of Technical Services Bob Cairney provided an overview of the Electrical Assessment Specification (EAS).

Director of Technical Services Bob Cairney delivers a technical update on EAS

Before the AGM itself, the SELECT Central Board met for its second quarterly meeting of the year, during which Members discussed priorities for 2026 and beyond.

Branch officers attending included Stewart Anderson and Eric Rae from Aberdeen & North East of Scotland, Jim Cooper and Chic Dobbie (Ayrshire), Gordon Paterson (Dumfries-shire) and Graeme Anderson and Paul Erasmuson (Edinburgh & South East Scotland).

Also in attendance were fellow office bearers Sean Harkin and Alan Watt (Glasgow & West of Scotland Branch), Mike Campbell and Alastair Grant (Inverness & North of Scotland), Craig McGowan (Lanarkshire) and Keith Smith and Grant Stewart (Tayside).

Afterwards, Managing Director Alan Wilson said: “Once again, the AGM provided an excellent opportunity to meet up with Members and discuss the issues that affect them most.

“In our 125th year, it was refreshing to hear so many positive viewpoints in recognition of the bright future that lies ahead for the electrotechnical industry in Scotland.”