Board of Management

Meet our current Board and, at the foot of this page, you can also meet those who led the organisation from 1914. The first President of the EDA's forerunner, the Electrical Wholesalers' Federation (EWF), was Mr R. W. Smith of Drake & Goreham Wholesalers (1914 - 1918).

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

Simon Barkes

BEMCO
EDA President
March 2017 to March 2019

When Simon Barkes became President of the EDA in March 2017 he was the third member of his family to take this leading role. Family members holding the role of President of the Electrical Wholesalers’ Federation (EWF), the precursor to the EDA, were Geoffrey Barkes from 1993 – 1994 and Bryan Barkes in 1974.

As well as leading the EDA, Simon is Managing Director of family business BEMCO (British Electrical and Manufacturing Company). BEMCO is a founder member of the EWF, celebrating its membership centenary in 2019, making them our oldest independent member.

Presidential welcome

“The EDA has a first class team to implement the Board’s programme and I am sure that their hard work will make a significant contribution to ensuring the long term success of our route to market; serving the interests of both Suppliers and Professional Installers.

“I believe that our members must work together as an industry to face the technological changes that the future will bring to our supply chain. Improved processes and the transfer of digital data will be key to the efficiency and success of the sector.”