News

Bright sparks receive EDA trophies for training excellence

March 17, 2023
EDA Learning Achievement Award Winners 2023

Bright sparks from wholesaler and manufacturer businesses across the UK were celebrated for their outstanding achievements in an Apprenticeship and the EDA Product Knowledge studies at the Electrical Distributors’ Association’s Learning Achievement Awards recently.

Now in their ninth year the annual EDA Learning Achievement Awards took place at London’s Shard on Friday 10 March 2023. The trophies were presented by EDA President, Stearn Electric’s Managing Director, Charlie Lacey, and by John Henry, Managing Director at sponsors EDA Apprenticeships Plus, the organisation which operates the Association’s Apprenticeship Service.

Margaret Fitzsimons, EDA CEO, said,

“A high point in the EDA calendar in every sense, this event at the Shard brings together not only the trophy winners and their business colleagues but also family and friends to share their moment in the spotlight.  It’s a wonderful showcase for careers in the UK’s electrotechnical sector.

“Congratulations to this year’s trophy winners who have worked exceptionally hard and we watch their careers with interest. This year it is particularly rewarding because we’re looking back on individual achievements from the last 12 months, and it was in 2022 that our Modules won the prestigious Princess Royal Training Award.

“It’s very pleasing to recognise those who have studied every one of our 12 EDA Product Knowledge Modules, achieving at least 10 distinctions in the process. They join a very select group of EDA learners.  During 2022 Stephen Harris, Paul Carter, Lauren Notton, and Phoebe Avenell joined the group – they are all great ambassadors for the EDA’s training.”

The EDA’s Learning Achievement Awards recognise outstanding performance during the last 12 months in the EDA Product Knowledge Modules, an Apprenticeship, or a combination of both.

2023 EDA Learning Achievement Awards
Sponsored by EDA Apprenticeships Plus
EDA Apprenticeships Plus
EDA President Charlie Lacey welcomes guests
EDA President Charlie Lacey welcomes guests
EDA CEO Margaret Fitzsimons
EDA CEO Margaret Fitzsimons
Event compere, EDA Head of Education and Training, Tracy Hewett
Awards compere, Tracy Hewett, Head of Education and Training at the EDA

2023 EDA Learning Achievement Award Winners
Sponsored by EDA Apprenticeships Plus

Trophies were presented by EDA President, Charlie Lacey, and John Henry, Managing Director at EDA Apprenticeships Plus, who also sponsored the event.
EDA Apprenticeships Plus
Phoebe Avenell, 3 Line Electrical Wholesale, Peterborough, part of the AWEBB buying group, for Distinction grades in modules studies;
Phoebe Avenell of 3 Line Electrical
Emma Baggott, R & M Electrical Group Ltd, Bristol, part of the ANEW buying group, for Distinction grades in module studies. Emma's Award was collected by representatives from the ANEW buying group: Samantha McFall and David Moore.
Samantha McFall, CEO of the ANEW buying group and David Moore, Director of Medlock Electrical Distributors, collect the Award for Emma Baggot of R & M Electrical Group Ltd in Bristol, who was unable to attend
Ben Ray, CEF, Cramlington, Northumberland, for a Distinction in his Trade Supplier Apprenticeship;
Ben Ray of CEF
Zack Thorpe, Edmundson Electrical Ltd, Shrewsbury, Shropshire for a Distinction in his Apprenticeship and in all 12 of the modules. As Zack was unable to attend his award was collected by Alice Baldwin of Edmundson Electrical Ltd.
Alice Baldwin collects the Award on behalf of Zack Thorpe
Zack receives his Award a few days after The Shard event from Matt Ward, Head of Education and Training at Edmundson Electrical Ltd.
Zack Thorpe receives his EDA trophy from Matt Ward Head of Training and Development at Edmundson Electrical Ltd
Jamie Cooper, Edmundson Electrical Ltd, Brierley Hill, Dudley, West Midlands, for a Distinction in his Apprenticeship and in all 12 of the modules;
Jamie Cooper of Edmundson Electrical Ltd, Brierley Hill in the West Midlands
Charlie Christie, Central Electrical Distributors Ltd, Braintree, Essex, part of the Fegime UK buying group, for an outstanding performance in his Apprenticeship and module studies;
Charlie Christie of Central Electrical Distributors in Braintree in Essex, with his manager, Scott Christie (second from left)
Lauren Fuller, ZLT Electrical, Ashford, Kent, part of The IBA Buying Group, for Distinction grades in her module studies.
Lauren-Fuller
Matthew Bradley, QVS Electrical Supplies, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, for Distinction grades in his module studies.
Matthew-Bradley
Barry Dunne on behalf of Emmet Gaule, Kellihers, Waterford, part of Rexel UK Ltd, for Distinction grades in his module studies. Emmet was unable to attend the Awards.
Barry Dunne of Kellihers in the Republic of Ireland, collects the trophy on behalf of Emmet Gaule who was unable to attend
Jordon Tuck, Termination Technology, Bristol, (EDA Manufacturer), for outstanding performance in his apprenticeship and module studies.
Jordon Tuck of Termination Technology Ltd in Bristol with their Commercial Director, Steve Parry (second from left)
Distinction Stars: (l-r) Paul Carter of 3 Line Electrical; Phoebe Avenell, 3 Line Electrical; and Stephen Harris, of Midshires Electrical and Lighting have studied all 12 EDA modules and achieved top grades in at least 10. Lauren Notton of R & M Electrical Group also received this Award but was unable to attend.
Paul Carter, Phoebe Avenell and Stephen Harris