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Rugby star turned film star, Martin Bayfield, presents EDA Investor in Training Awards 2023

March 15, 2023
2023-Investor-in-Training-Award-Winners

Star of both the Rugby field and film set, Martin Bayfield, hosted the Electrical Distributors’ Association’s (EDA) annual Education & Training Awards in front of over 500 guests at the Association’s flag-ship Annual Awards Dinner on Thursday 9 March 2023 in London’s Park Lane. EDA Investor in Training Award winners are hand-picked from thousands of managers in wholesaler and manufacturer businesses across the UK for their impressive commitment to developing their teams using the Association’s module and apprenticeship programmes.

Sharing entertaining stories from a career that spans 31 England caps, a stunt-double role in the Harry Potter film, sports commentating, and Celebrity MasterChef, Martin presented the trophies alongside EDA President, Charlie Lacey, Managing Director at Stearn Electric Co Ltd, and John Henry, Managing Director, at Award sponsors EDA Apprenticeships Plus.

Charlie Lacey said of the winners, “Huge congratulations to this year’s winners. These Awards demonstrate the fantastic commitment by this sector to the professional development of its people. Each winner has demonstrated how the benefit of access to the EDA’s outstanding training and apprenticeship offer has delivered exceptional results for their teams.”

Margaret Fitzsimons, CEO at the EDA, added “It is gratifying to be able to publicly praise the work of these managers who work so hard to give their teams the opportunity to develop their professional skills and to build great careers. The stories are familiar: so often managers started in entry level roles themselves and someone gave them an opportunity which kick-started their careers: now they want to do the same for others.

“Tonight’s award ceremony is also the culmination of an amazing 12 months for the Association’s training programme: in August 2022 our Product Knowledge Modules was honoured with an HRH Princess Royal Training Award. Perhaps not surprisingly following such a high profile endorsement, demand for the training has soared and in January 2023 module orders were double that of the previous year.  Our Apprenticeship Service is also buoyant with more and more EDA businesses reaching out to bring new talent into their teams via the apprenticeship route.”

Hugely entertaining: special guest Martin Bayfield
Rugby Star turned film star, Martin Bayfield
Best night of the year
EDA Annual Awards Dinner 2023

Chain Reaction: Charlie Lacey becomes latest EDA President

Charlie Lacey becomes EDA President
Outgoing President, Chris Ashworth, receives the Past President's Medal
Chris Ashworth received the EDA Past President's Medal
The King! Lighting Industry Association CEO, Ayça Donaghy, announces the Loyal Toast
Ayca Donaghy, CEO at the Lighting Industry Association proposes the Loyal Toast
Thank you! Raising a record breaking £9,805.00 for the Electrical Industries Charity (EIC)

With the big cheque: Margaret Fitzsimons, CEO at the EDA, with Tessa Ogle, MD and CEO of the Electrical Industries Charity.

Margaret-and-Tessa-with-the-big-cheque

Margaret Fitzsimons, EDA CEO, gets ready to welcome EDA businesses and their guests

Margaret Fitzsimons EDA CEO gets ready to welcome guests

EDA President Charlie Lacey, MD at Stearn Electric addresses the Dinner and toasts "The Guests"

Giving his first address as EDA President, Charlie Lacey

Address and Toast to the Association:
Pamela Bingham, CEO, Glen Dimplex Heating & Ventilation

Pamela-Bingham-CEO-Glen-Dimplex-Heating-and-Ventilation

2023 EDA Investor in Training Award Winners and
Highly Commended

Champions of the EDA Product Knowledge Modules and/or the EDA Apprenticeship Service
Mark Watts of Rifina Electrical Distributors
Mark Watts, Rifina Electrical Distributors, part of the ANEW buying group
Andy-Guy
Andy Guy, Links Electrical Supplies, part of the AWEBB buying group
Joe-van-der-Westuizen
Joe Van Der Westhuizen, CEF
Don-Carron
Don Carron, Edmundson Electrical Ltd
Jamie-Ling
Jamie Ling, BEW Electrical Distributors, part of the Fegime UK buying group
Barry-Dunne
Barry Dunne, Kellihers in Dublin, part of Rexel Ltd
Ross-Graham
Ross Graham, UK Spares part of UK Electric Ltd
Paul-Jenner-for-Ray-Morris
Paul Jenner, CEO of The IBA Buying Group, collecting the Award on behalf of Ray Morris of Electric Light Co Ltd
Daniel-Butterfield
Daniel Butterfield, Shoal Group comprising Cablecraft, FS Cables, and Specialised Wiring Accessories

Highly Commended Investors in Training

Giovanni Baccini of Lewden receives his Highly Commended Investor in Training Certificate
Giovanni Baccini, Lewden
Ebony Shuttleworth of Kingfisher Lighting receives her Highly Commended Certificate
Ebony Shuttleworth, Kingfisher Lighting Ltd
Full photo gallery below.