Members and industry colleagues gather for 2026 President's Lunch
Updated: 1 day ago
SELECT once again rolled out the red carpet for Members and industry colleagues at the 2026 President’s Lunch, sponsored by Luceco Group. As well celebrating success and saluting the talent of tomorrow, there was also a surprise appearance from one very special presidential figure…
An ambitious new apprentice initiative was the main talking point as the 2026 President’s Lunch returned to Edinburgh to once again celebrate the very best of our sector.
More than 100 specially invited colleagues from across the construction industry gathered at The Balmoral for our annual networking event on Friday 25 September.
The event saw our Lifetime Achievement Award presented to a renowned industry veteran, along with special presentations to three youngsters just starting out on their career journeys.
And there was also a surprise appearance by a very special guest that ensured the event enjoyed a presidential flavour from across the pond.
As well as Immediate Past President Mike Stark, fellow Past Presidents and current members of the SELECT Central Board, delegates included Scottish Government and industry figures, along with other senior representatives from the UK’s leading electrical and construction organisations.
Also in attendance were Ian Hunter, Lauren De’Ath and Steve Conn from Associate Member Luceco Group, who were the event’s official headline sponsor.
Fellow Associate MacRoberts LLP once again kept guests refreshed as the official drinks sponsor as they were represented on the day by Neil Kelly and Gavin Thomson.
And as sponsors of the Lifetime Achievement Award, we were delighted to welcome Neil MacEachern, Douglas Thomson, Barry McInally, Ivor Milne and John Patton from Schneider Electric.
After an hour of reception drinks, the lunch itself began with a welcome speech from SELECT Managing Director Sharon Miller, who began by issuing a warning about losing sight of what construction can offer.
She told assembled guests said: “The construction sector possesses unique abilities to drive economic growth all over our country; we provide employment for people at all levels of educational attainment and we pay them well.
“Yet the government is focused on small, shiny sectors you won’t have heard of – photonics and quantum for example. These are important for the future economy but growth in the current economy is vital if government is to achieve its objectives around health, child poverty and housing. We are here and we can help if government is willing to engage.
“That said, the future for electricians looks bright. The increasing electrification of society means that the demand for our services is on the rise and SELECT is here to help navigate all the complexities of running a business in this fast-changing world.”
Sharon also revealed progress in our ongoing campaign for regulation, adding: “At the moment, anyone in the UK can still call themselves an electrician, which is wrong and why we have been campaigning for protection for the title for so long.
“However, I am pleased to say that the stars appear to be aligning for regulation and our sister organisations south of the border ECA, ESF and Certsure – many of whom are here today – agree that this has to happen and it has to happen soon.
“Our Members train and operate to the highest standards and their names are bywords for quality across the industry. We all want to protect the public from rogue traders and also protect our Members from being undercut by dangerously unqualified operatives.
“I am more hopeful now than ever that protection of title can be achieved so I want to thank everyone who is supportive of that work and I look forward to strong collaboration to achieve our collective goals.”
Taking to the stage next, SELECT President Darren Crockett used his traditional welcome speech to thank members of fellow trade organisations for attending, including Luke Osborne from Electrical Safety First and Mark Coles from the IET.
He also congratulated the ECA on its 125th anniversary as he welcomed Andrew Eldred and Gary Parker from our “wee sister” down south, along with ECA President Glenn Grant.
SNIPEF President Steve Craig and CEO Fiona Hodgson were welcomed next, along with Stephen Good from BE-ST and the chair of the SJIB, Jock Simpson.
Warning that the acronyms were only just beginning, Darren then went on to greet Gordon Nelson from the FMB, Jocelyn Fleming (CIOB), Robbie Toomey (RICS), John McKinney and Scott Miller (NFRC), Paul Mitchell (SBF and CICV) and Gary Mees (CIAT).
Afterwards, he quipped: “I told you there were a lot of acronyms – but fortunately there’s no one here from HMRC.”
Darren’s final greetings went to Fiona Harper, Barrie McKay and David Henderson from SECTT, along with Theresa McGowan from Qualifications Scotland, Pilar Rodriguez from the Energy Saving Trust and Lisa Goldie from the Scottish Government.
He also gave special mention to Margaret Fitzsimons, outgoing CEO of the Electrical Distributors’ Association, saying: “Margaret, you have been an excellent friend to SELECT over the past decade and more and we thank you for your invaluable guidance.”
After lunch was served, Darren returned to the podium for the first presentation of the day as he revealed the recipient of the 2026 SELECT Lifetime Achievement Award, sponsored by Schneider Electric.
Announcing the honour, he said: “This year’s winner has been a strong advocate for our sector for the last 40 years, working in both the public and private sectors and across a number of trade associations.
“Our recipient led the sector through one of the most difficult periods in our history during the COVID pandemic and his knowledge and standing are highly respected across the construction industry, not only in Scotland but also in Europe and Scandinavia.
“He is generous with his knowledge and respected as one of the leading lights of our industry and for the last 14 years, SELECT has been privileged to have him leading and growing our association.
“He is also passionate about the importance of apprenticeships to secure the future of our industry and has worked tirelessly to support and improve the system for employers and candidates alike.”
Darren went on: “This year’s winner has built the reputation of our association to one of national standing. He has also worked throughout his career with kindness and humour; good qualities to survive and thrive at the top of your game.
“He officially stood down from SELECT at the end of August, to enjoy a long and well-deserved retirement we hope. In typical style, he has left the association in great shape for the future to prosper and grow, and continue serving our Members for the next 126 years.”
To thunderous applause, Darren then revealed that the recipient of this year’s award was former SELECT Managing Director Alan Wilson.
After making his way to stage through a standing ovation, a clearly emotional Alan made a short speech thanking his SELECT colleagues and the wider industry for their support.
He said: “I’m delighted to have received this award. It is such an unexpected honour and a testament to the team behind me and the work they’ve done over the years. ”
As Alan returned to his seat, Darren then made the second big announcement of the day as he introduced a new initiative in partnership with Luceco Group.
He told guests: “As a recent SELECT survey revealed, the cost of employing apprentices is proving a problem for many Members across Scotland.
“Small businesses tell us that rising wages, National Insurance contributions and other costs are a real issue, particularly in the first year, when apprentices are away from their job for such a long period of time.
“Lack of funding for employers can often be the difference between an SME taking on an apprentice or not – which is where our new initiative with Luceco Group come in.”
UK Trade Sales Director Ian Hunter was then invited to the lectern, where he announced details of the new Powering Potential partnership, which will see three SELECT Member firms receive £6,000 each to help fund a 1st Year apprentice.
Ian told the crowd: “In true SELECT style, a lot of hard work and effort has gone into turning this idea into reality and it is an absolute privilege to be standing here.
“Today marks the beginning of what I hope will be an ongoing initiative that spreads wider than just a Luceco/SELECT activity and becomes something much bigger.
“I would like to thank SELECT for embracing this idea and wish all three recipients the very best in their new careers. Work hard and enjoy the opportunity – you are joining a fantastic industry and embarking on a journey that is both valuable and rewarding.”
The inaugural recipients of the £6,000 funding were then announced, as Allan Beveridge Jnr and apprentice Ritchie Pirie from A B Electrical Scotland Ltd in Aboyne took to the stage.
The duo were followed by Tony Walsh and Thomas Shirkie from T Walsh Contracts Ltd in Ayr, before Val Chisholm and Reece Michie of V C Electrical in Gullane also received their official handover
Darren added: “These Members have been chosen after extensive deliberation, and we would like to thank SECTT for their invaluable input in helping us pick a final three.
“As well as being longstanding Members, they have a proven track record of employing apprentices and cultivating young talent over a number of years, so this funding is extremely well deserved.”
As Darren began the next part of his speech, he was interrupted by the unmistakable strains of
Hail to the Chief as the door was flung open and in marched impressionist Lewis MacLeod as the event’s second President of the day: Donald J Trump.
Flanked by his crack security detail – AKA Past President Kevin Griffin and Depute Vice President Mike Campbell – the TV and radio star already had the crowd in stitches as he made his way to the podium.
Grimacing from beneath his MAGA hat, our star turn told the crowd: “Thank you all so bigly much. What an honour this is… for you all.”
He then launched into a 20-minute routine, during which he lampooned everyone from assembled guests to the construction industry, the Luceco Group – and of course himself.
Showing off his fantastic range of impressions, Lewis then switched character to deliver messages from characters including Boris Johnson, Nigel Farage and Professor Brian Cox before being escorted back out by Kevin and Mike.
Once he had departed, Vice President David Harris had the unenviable task of following our entertainment as he delivered the closing remarks to the room.
After thanking The Balmoral, Lewis and the event sponsors, David turned his attention to our new apprentice funding partnership.
He told the assembled guests: “I would like to thank Ian Hunter and the wider team at Luceco Group for partnering with SELECT on the Powering Potential initiative.
“Together, we have started something truly special and it’s great to know that we have such a keen supporter of skills and our sector as a whole.”
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