Guests have plenty to celebrate at 125th Anniversary Grand Ball
- Iain Mason
- 3 hours ago
- 11 min read
A proud past and a promising future were both dramatically brought to life by AI at the SELECT 125th Anniversary Grand Ball, sponsored by Scolmore Group, as the industry toasted the landmark anniversary of the world’s oldest trade association for the electrical industry
SELECT looked back with pride and forward with purpose as the association welcomed 300 Members and friends to its 125th Anniversary Grand Ball, sponsored by Scolmore Group.
Our glittering event saw contributions from figures past, present and even future as the history of the association was brought to life through the power of artificial intelligence (AI) at the Glasgow Marriott Hotel on Friday 14 November.
As well as an evening of fun and friendly football rivalry, the event also saw the presentation of our Lifetime Achievement Award, plus a donation to Prostate Scotland that was applauded by host Fred MacAulay, who is currently recovering from prostate cancer.
Joining Past Presidents and the SELECT Central Board at the event were a range of Member businesses, who travelled from all four corners of Scotland to raise a glass to their association.
Also in attendance were colleagues from across the UK’s leading electrical and construction organisations, plus sponsors and Associate Members who helped make the whole event possible.
And for six hours, the crowd laughed, cheered, danced and sang as we took a nostalgic trip down memory lane – and a fascinating glimpse into the future.
A warm welcome
The night began with reception drinks and the first AI-powered special effect, as an image of President Donald Smeaton Munro from 1922 suddenly came to life and called guests to dinner.
Filing into the main room, guests were surrounded by more giant images from the earliest days of the association which also began moving as the amazed partygoers took their seats.
These ‘live’ photos were a key theme throughout the evening as dozens of images from 1900 to the present day were animated via AI.
These animations even included an early reprimand for TV and radio personality Fred, who was corrected by a talking image of Donald for referring to a lamp as “a bulb”!
After recovering from his virtual heckle, the comedian introduced Managing Director Alan Wilson, who arrived after a delay wearing a Hearts hat and scarf and waving a football rattle – a dig at the attending Hibs in the crowd for the Jambos’ last-minute 1-0 victory in October.
After apologising for leaving things late “just like Hearts”, Alan said: “It’s an honour to stand here tonight as we celebrate 125 years of people, progress and pride in our profession.
“When I think about our journey, I often picture those first few contractors who came together back in 1900. I can imagine them — huddled in a room, lit by the very technology they were pioneering — determined to raise standards and bring respect to a new and rapidly growing trade.
“They couldn’t have known then that their small association would grow into the strong and influential organisation we all know today.
“It's just a pity we can’t ask people like one of our first Presidents, Donald Smeaton Munro, what issues were challenging them in the first few years of the association.”
Right on cue, the image of Donald once again came to life through the power of technology as our forefather explained that the issues of the early 1900s included “regulation of the industry, not getting paid on time and a shortage of skilled labour coming through”.
Thanking the Past President for his AI-assisted input, Alan responded wryly: “Thank you Donald. Who would have guessed that, more than 100 years later, those same issues would still exist?”
Saluting people and progress
Warming to his theme, Alan went on: “Since the association was founded, 124 years, 364 days and five hours ago, the spark of vision has been kept alive by thousands of people — our Past Presidents, Central Board, committee members, Member firms, apprentices and staff.
“Together, we’ve built an organisation that champions professional recognition, delivers first-class training, supports a gold standard apprenticeship scheme and stands up for high standards and safety across Scotland.
“We’ve seen huge progress and change over the years as technology and our ways of working have altered.
“But through every change, one thing has been consistent and never wavered: our people. The people who give their time, their skill and their energy to make SELECT what it is.
“One hundred and twenty five years is a long time, but it’s really a collection of stories; stories of businesses built from scratch, apprentices who became mentors to the next generation, business colleagues who became lifelong friends, and an association which started out helping firms embrace a new technology to one which leads the way.”
As he asked guests to stand a raise a toast to the association and the people who shaped it, Alan said: “Tonight, as we look back with pride and forward with purpose, I want to say thank you to everyone who has shaped this journey.
“Whether you’ve served in the highest office as President, served on one of our Branches, on a committee, trained an apprentice, or simply carried the SELECT name with pride, you are part of something truly enduring.
“Here’s to our founders, our past and our future — to 125 years of excellence and to many more years of lighting the way for Scotland’s electrotechnical industry. Here’s to SELECT – 125 years old and still going strong!”
A real taste of Scotland
As part of the evening’s distinctly Scottish flavour, the starter was then piped in by Andrew Low, who proceeded to deliver a flamboyant Address to a Haggis worthy of Robert Burns himself.
Recruiting the help of the audience, the piper recited the famous verse before the haggis was sliced open and shared among guests for the starter. Grace was then said by Steve Bratt, Group CEO of our southern counterpart ECA, as dinner began in earnest.
There was more entertainment throughout the meal as host Fred returned to the floor with his trademark wit – including a few well-aimed barbs at selected partygoers.
The images from SELECT’s history were also replaced with photos of the evening’s guests, taken in a special AI photobooth that turned them into figures from the 1920s, ‘60s, ’70s and even the 2050s.
The results were a major talking point until coffee was served, Fred introduced the next act and the Biggar Pipe Band filed into the room to a pounding drumbeat.
The 14-strong band marched into the dance floor where they performed a 15-minute medley of Scottish classics, including a rousing rendition of Flower of Scotland which had guests singing along and wiping away a few tears.
Departing to thunderous applause, guests were by now in no doubt that this was a celebration party like no other, with a VERY Scottish flavour.
Pride of the President
As Fred himself joked, Mike Stark had the unenviable job of following the pipe band, but the SELECT President rose to the task as he took to the stage next.
He told guests: “As President of the oldest electrical trade body in the world, I’m honoured to stand before you as the Electrical Contractors’ Association of Scotland celebrates its 125th year.
“As Alan mentioned earlier, our success and longevity has been down to people, both inside and outside the association, and I’m delighted to see so many of those people here tonight.
“For my own part, I’d like to say a massive thank-you to my wife Lindsay for all her support during my presidency.
“I would also like to thank the many SELECT Past Presidents who are with us this evening, namely Alistair Grant, Kevin Griffin, John Noble, Donald W Orr, Eric Rae, Alick Smith and David Smith, as well as former Managing Director Newell McGuiness.
“These men have been the backbone of SELECT for the past 30 years and more and it is testament to their hard work and good judgement that we continue to help their fellow contractors thrive and prosper. Gents, thank you.”
Mike also thanked all the many people from across the industry who had attended the event, including representatives from BE-ST, BESA, BSD, Certsure, ECA, EDA, EIC, ESF, FSA, EuropeOn, FMB, IET, JIB, SBF, SDS, SECTT, SJIB, SNIPEF and the SQA.
Also helping us celebrate were representatives from Associate Members Aico, Amokabel, Dimplex, Flexel, Luceco, Megger, National Ventilation and Signature LED Lighting, plus creative partners Connect and Blueprint, and workwear suppliers Ross.
Mike added: “We are extremely grateful for these organisations’ ongoing support and I know that we will continue to enjoy a close relationship, whatever the future brings.”
The voice of tomorrow
Speaking of the future brought Mike to a very special part of the evening as once again AI made it possible to beam a special message onto all four walls.
This time it was electrical apprentice of the future Taylor McSween who took centre stage to deliver an update from the year 2050.
To applause from the crowd, she revealed that in the future, robots and holograms would help contractors – and that regulation of the industry would finally have been passed. To rousing cheers, she also revealed that
Scotland would have won the 2048 World Cup!
After thanking our futuristic apprentice – and pointing out that most of the World Cup-winning team would be Hibs players – Mike made two very special presentations.
Firstly, he presented a special £2,500 banknote to Mae Bell and Helen Fleming from Prostate Scotland to help raise awareness of prostate cancer and prostate disease.
Mike said: “Our esteemed host and many of you in this room will know only too well that prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in Scotland.
“We therefore want to raise awareness among our Members, encourage them to get themselves checked out and let them know that help and support is out there.
“To help it continue its work, the SELECT Central Board has therefore agreed to make this donation to Prostate Scotland in recognition of its fantastic achievements.”
It was then time for our second presentation of the evening, as Mike revealed the winner of the 2025 SELECT Lifetime Achievement Award.
The President told guests: “As well as being a great supporter and ally of SELECT over the years, tonight’s winner has worked tirelessly to improve standards in the electrical industry.
“They are patient, knowledgeable, always eager to help and go the extra mile to ensure that electrical contractors of all sizes have the help and support they need to carry out their work safely and to the highest standards.
“SELECT is proud to call our winner a close friend – and a younger sister. So I am delighted to present the 2025 SELECT Lifetime Achievement Award to the ECA.”
ECA CEO Steve Bratt and President Ruth Devine then took to the stage to accept the award, with Steve telling guests: “Everyone likes a prize, especially from an elder sibling, but we’ve just won a prize from an organisation that is 125 years old and has done amazing things for the Scottish electrical contracting industry and knows us very well. So the fact they have chosen us for this award is a real honour.
“On behalf of our President, all the staff at ECA, and all of our members, a real big thank you for such an honour and we look forward to working with you for another 125 years.”
Tributes and thanks
The evening’s final words went to SELECT Vice President Darren Crockett, who delivered the closing remarks to the packed room.
After Fred jokingly said that guests would need subtitles to understand him, Darren played along by starting his speech in broad Dundonian.
To much laughter, he then apologised and told guests: “Ladies and gentlemen, it gives me great pleasure to say a few words of thanks for tonight’s event.
“Firstly, thanks to the team at the Glasgow Marriott Hotel; the food and service were excellent and fitting for this special occasion.
“Thanks also to the SELECT team for all their work behind the scenes to make tonight such a great event, with a special mention to our Events Manager, Linda Rolfe, who did a great job in bringing everything together, even when called up for jury duty with two weeks to go.
“To our many sponsors, thank you again for your ongoing support – we continue to enjoy close partnerships with some of the biggest names in the industry and you, too, are a valued part of our long history.
“Thank you in particular to our host for this evening, Fred MacAulay, who I’m sure you’ll all agree it’s great to see in good health and back where he belongs – taking the mickey out of people.
“And finally, thanks to YOU all for attending this evening and helping us celebrate the 125th birthday of the world’s first trade body for the electrotechnical industry.”
As a giant family photo appeared on the screen behind him, Darren went on: “I’m extremely proud to be a Member of SELECT, just as my father and grandfather were before me. I’ve made many friends through SELECT and I’m delighted to see so many of them here tonight.
“When you look around the room, it’s amazing to see the depth of talent and enthusiasm in our industry, from the apprentices just starting out, to the business leaders who have trained and employed generations of electricians.
“We often don’t give ourselves the credit we deserve, but each of us should be proud of the job we do, keeping the wheels turning and the lights burning across Scotland, and we should look ahead with confidence to the next 125 years
“Thank you again for helping us celebrate this unique milestone. Enjoy the rest of the night – and I look forward to seeing you later on the dance floor.”
Ready to party
Darren’s closing remarks brought the formal part of the evening to a close, and after another hilarious monologue from host Fred, Bahookie took to the stage.
Billed as “Scotland’s leading rock ceilidh band”, the fantastic four-piece soon had the dance floor full, with kilts flying as guests enthusiastically showed off their best Dashing White Sergeant, Strip the Willow and Eightsome Reel.
After an hour-and-a-half of frantic whirling, it was time for traditional closers Auld Lang Syne and Loch Lomond which saw guests join hands and dance in a giant circle in the centre of the room.
As the clock inched closer to midnight, Fred invited Mike and the SELECT Past Presidents onto the stage to count down to 15 November – the official 125th anniversary of the association’s very first meeting in Glasgow in 1900.
Surrounded by seven of his predecessors, Mike then cut into the 1m-high cake – complete with twinkling LED lights – to mark the formal anniversary of the Electrical Contractors’ Association of Scotland.
With cheers and applause still ringing out, special birthday messages then played out on the giant screens to bring the night to a close, including greetings from industry figures and celebrities including Basil Brush, Steven Hendry, Paul Chuckle and Rebecca Adlington.
Managing Director Alan Wilson said: “I would like thank everyone who attended the Grand Ball for being part of our party and helping us celebrate 125 years of the world’s oldest electrical trade association.
“The overwhelmingly positive feedback we have received is testament to the hard work and meticulous planning behind the scenes from the SELECT team and I would like to thank everyone who helped deliver a phenomenal event.
“We’ll need to start planning now if we’re to top it for the association’s 150th birthday!”
Event sponsors
Scolmore – Official Headline Sponsor
CEF – Official Guest Speaker Sponsor
ECIS – Official Programme Sponsor
Edmundson Electrical – Official Table Sponsor
Morton Fraser MacRoberts LLP – Official Piper Sponsor
OCS – Official Pipe Band Sponsor
Schneider Electric – Official Drinks Sponsor
Wylex – Official Entertainment Sponsor
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