News

Nine winners honoured as EDA Investor in Training Awards celebrates 11th birthday

March 14, 2025

The 2025 EDA Investor in Training Awards marked a milestone 11th year of recognising outstanding commitment to workforce development in the UK’s electrical wholesale and manufacturing sector. This year’s nine winners received their trophies in front of 570 guests at the Annual Awards Dinner on Thursday 6 March 2025 in London’s Park Lane. The winners are hand-picked from thousands of managers in EDA wholesaler and manufacturer businesses across the UK for their impressive commitment to developing their teams using the Association’s industry-leading modules and apprenticeship programme.

The trophies were presented by the evening’s special guest, TV’s Countdown host and radio presenter, Colin Murray.

The Awards were sponsored by EDA Apprenticeships Plus, the partner provider for the EDA Apprenticeship Service for Wholesalers.

Association President, David Moore of Medlock Electrical Distributors, said: “Congratulations to our award-winning managers as they receive their EDA Investor in Training Awards. Their success is evidence of a sector that invests in the professional development of its people, and that’s a strong message that will help us attract the next generation of talent.”

Margaret Fitzsimons, CEO at the EDA, added “Since launch in 2015, the EDA’s Investor in Training Awards have demonstrated this sector’s commitment to fostering talent and driving professional growth.

“Shaping careers and driving business performance is at the heart of the training service the EDA offers to Members and Affiliates. We are constantly reviewing and improving that service too: over the last 3 years, 84% more branches are using the modules to upskill their people. The flexibility of the e-learning option is proving successful with 77% choosing to study online via The EDA Academy over the original printed textbooks. Demand for apprentices remains healthy.”

Diary Date: EDA Annual Awards Dinner 2026, Thursday 5 March 2026
The King! Tony Ginman, Master of The Worshipful Company of Lightmongers, proposed the Loyal Toast
Steve Kirby, Managing Director at JCC speaking on behalf of the EDA guests and proposing the Toast to the Association.
TV and radio presenter, Colin Murray, was a fantastic high-energy host
EDA CEO, Margaret Fitzsimons, helps the new President with his Chain of Office
Tracy Hewett introducing the Investor in Training Award Winners 2025.

Cheering on the winner of the raffle in aid of the Electrical Industries Charity (EIC)
Announcing-the-raffle-winner
Thank you! Raising £8,730.00 for the Electrical Industries Charity (EIC)

With the big cheque: David Moore EDA president, with Kate Adamczyk, Director of Marketing and Business Development at the Electrical Industries Charity.

Congratulations to the raffle prize winner, KEW Electrical Distributors' Managing Director, Nik Mulcahy. KEW's orange accessories are iconic!

EIC-check-2025

2025 EDA Investor in Training Award Winners

Champions of the EDA Product Knowledge Modules and/or the EDA Apprenticeship Service
Rob-McKenzie,-BED-(Kettering)-Ltd
Rob Mckenzie, BED (Corby) Ltd, part of the ANEW buying group
Peter-Jenkins,-Swanson-Mackay-&-Co.-Ltd
Peter Jenkins, Swanson Mackay & Co. Ltd, part of the AWEBB buying group
Phil-O'Nions,-CEF-Ltd
Phil O'Nions, CEF Ltd
Darren-Coppola,-Scott-Coppola-(EEL)
Darren Coppola, Edmundson Electrical Ltd
Liane-Packer,-Templegate-Electrical-Supplies-Ltd,-part-of-the-Fegime-UK-buying-group
Liane Packer, Templegate Electrical Supplies Ltd, part of the Fegime UK buying group
Ben-Young,-Rexel-UK-Ltd
Ben Young, Rexel UK Ltd
Ian-Day,-Stearn-Electric-Co-Ltd
Ian Day, Stearn Electric Co Ltd
Oliver-Nicholas,-Lightsave
Oliver Nicholas, Lightsave Ltd, part of The IBA Buying Group Ltd
Tract-Hewett,-collecting-the-trophy-on-behalf-of-Paul-Gordon-from-Olympic-Fixing-Products-Ltd
Tracy Hewett collecting the trophy on behalf of Paul Wogden, Olympic Fixing Products Ltd.