Meet the EDA Board of Management

Leading your Association

All experienced senior leaders, the EDA Board represents the interests and views of the membership at a strategic level as well as helping to communicate and share the work of the Association across the sector.

To support the work of the Chief Executive and EDA team, each Board member has responsibility for a key aspect of the Association’s work including Regional Business Forums, Apprenticeships, the EDA Product Knowledge Modules, affiliated membership, and marketing and communications.

Introducing the President and Board

Chris Ashworth

CEF
EDA President
December 2019 - March 2023

Chris Ashworth, Managing Director at CEF, became EDA President 12 December 2019.

“I am honoured to be given the opportunity to help lead the EDA’s strategy. The continued digitalisation of our sector is a priority for the Association, as is our work in training and apprenticeships, and strengthening relationships along the supply chain.”

With over 34 years’ experience in wholesaling in the UK and Germany, all with CEF, Chris Ashworth joined the EDA’s Board of Management in March 2016. He volunteers as an EDA Education & Training Ambassador, a panel of senior influencers who help drive the EDA’s skills and training agenda for our sector.

Hands-on too, Chris was one of the employer Trailblazers who developed the EDA-led Trade Supplier Apprenticeship Standard for wholesalers in England, as well as leading the team developing the Cables and Cable Management training course, one of the EDA’s suite of 12 Product Knowledge Modules.

Chris Ashworth, who will serve until March 2021, is supported by newly elected EDA Vice President Stearn Electric Co Ltd’s Managing Director, Charlie Lacey, and by Immediate Past President Simon Barkes of BEMCO; together they form the EDA’s Presidential Team.