Founded in 1901, the Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA) has represented and supported the UK’s electrical contracting industry 125 years. Established to promote high standards, fair practice and professional excellence, it has played a vital role in shaping the sector through periods of significant technological, economic and social change.
During 2026, the UK’s largest electrical trade association will showcase 125 years of progress and a future full of opportunities through a range of activities at national and regional levels. Sponsored by Aico, Edmundson Electrical and Schneider Electric, four themes will be covered during the course of the anniversary year – legacy and leadership; skills and apprenticeships; technology and transformation; and trust, integrity and value.
Steve Bratt, Group CEO of ECA, said:
“For this milestone year we want to show the ways in which previous action by ECA and our members has had a real impact on how the industry and our country have evolved. Today, the outside world is rediscovering at last just how vital electrification of the UK is, and the essential role that electrotechnical skills and capabilities have to play now, and even more so in the future.”
The anniversary year will be launched with a film highlighting the journey that the trade association and its members have taken together. Alongside this, a series of videos featuring ECA members will showcase the work they do to benefit us all. As the UK moves towards its ambition of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, ECA and its members continue to stand at the forefront of transformational change.
Steve concluded: “More needs to be done at a policy level to support the electrical industry in delivering what our country needs. Fairer contracts and payment practices, stronger technical standards and assurance, and more and better skilled people are all necessary if the UK electrical industry and the nations and regions we help to power are to fulfil their true potential.”
Contributors
Rob Shepherd (author)
Rob is Consulting Editor for InstallerELECTRIC. He is a well-respected journalist with a strong history in the electrical sector.
