AGM honours the past and plans for the future
The Forth Bridges again provided a dramatic backdrop to this year’s Annual General Meeting, as Members gathered to receive business and technical updates and see an association stalwart rewarded with Honorary Membership
Honouring legends of the industry and looking forward to the technology of the future was the order of the day at this year’s SELECT Annual General Meeting.
Members, staff and office bearers gathered at the Doubletree Edinburgh North Queensferry on 1 June for the 111th AGM, which saw SELECT stalwart David Smith awarded Honorary Membership for his years of dedication to the association.
The event also featured a tribute and moment’s silence in honour of former association President Pat Feeney, who passed away in February aged 91.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed my first year as President and I appreciate the hard work carried out by my fellow Office Bearers, Branch Members and staff as we keep progressing our trade association”
As always, this year’s event featured a technical update, with Director of Technical Services Bob Cairney providing an overview of electrical energy storage systems (EESS) and the role that electricians will play in their design and installation going forward.
Managing Director Alan Wilson also took to the stage, giving an insight into SELECT’s current work and areas of interest, including the future of electricians and the Scottish Construction Accord.
Official business of the day saw Alistair Grant and Mike Stark nominated as President and Vice-President respectively for another year, with Immediate Vice President Donald W Orr confirming their appointment to applause from delegates.
Alistair also provided his own snapshot of current activity in SELECT and the wider sector, delivering updates on regulation of the industry, the ongoing work of the Construction Industry Collective Voice (CICV) and SELECT’s role in the workforce of the future.
He added: “I have thoroughly enjoyed my first year as President and I appreciate the hard work carried out by my fellow Office Bearers, Branch Members and staff as we keep progressing our trade association.
“There is lots to do, but by working together I am sure that we will continue to achieve many positive outcomes for our Members and industry as a whole.”
Alistair also presented David Smith with his official Honorary Membership certificate, telling the audience: “David was elected as Vice Chair of the Glasgow & West of Scotland Branch in 1997 and served as Chair from 1998 to 2000.
“Following this, he became a Branch Officer from 2000 to 2003, at which time he was elected Vice President of the association itself, becoming President in 2005.
“Once he’d fulfilled his role as Immediate Past President in 2011, he again became a representative of the Branch, a position he held until March of this year and a total service of 26 years. Some of our staff are not even that old!
“David also chaired our Electrotechnical Committee for many years as well as donating his time to so many other SELECT committees and boards. He will be a huge loss to the association, but I know we will be able to call on his experience at any time.”
Thanking the association for his award, David told the audience: “It’s a great honour to accept this award and quite a surprise too because it feels like just yesterday that I joined SELECT.
“I have seen massive change in the association during my time here and I like the fact that everyone is made more than welcome, whether a big or small company. That’s why I tell people, ‘Join SELECT – you’ll never regret it’.”
Before the AGM itself, the SELECT Central Board met for its second quarterly meeting of the year, during which representatives from all eight Branches discussed progress and priorities of the association for 2023 and beyond.
“I have seen massive change in the association during my time here and I like the fact that everyone is made more than welcome, whether a big or small company. That’s why I tell people, ‘Join SELECT – you’ll never regret it’”
Among the attendees was special guest David Lewis, ECA Immediate Past President, and Sean Harkin, new Vice Chair of Glasgow & West of Scotland Branch, who was attending his first-ever Central Board.
Afterwards Alan said: “Once again, it was great to meet up face-to-face and discuss the association’s many achievements in person.
“Inflation and ongoing financial uncertainty continue to pose many challenges to SELECT and its Members, but as the AGM demonstrates, we can build on our outstanding legacy and help contractors face the future with confidence.”
A full interview with new Honorary Member David Smith will feature in the next edition of cabletalk.
