John Noble honoured with our Lifetime Achievement Award

The third President’s Lunch saw our Central Board and senior industry figures gather to celebrate the association and see our Lifetime Achievement Award presented to Member John Noble, who was described as ‘having SELECT running through him like a stick of rock’

Networking and net zero were top of the agenda as SELECT once again welcomed distinguished guests to the third President’s Lunch, sponsored by Electrium.

The importance of renewables was the main talking point as our annual high-profile event saw around 80 specially invited colleagues gather at Glasgow’s voco® Grand Central Hotel.

Headline speaker Professor Sean Smith told guests at the bash on Friday 27 September that electrical contractors would be the “keystone” to the nation’s successful transition to net zero.

And the event also saw our Lifetime Achievement Award presented to a Member who’s committed to training the talent of tomorrow – with winner John Noble described as “having the word SELECT running through him like a stick of rock”.

As well as members of the SELECT Central Board, delegates included Scottish Government and industry figures, along with other senior representatives from the UK’s leading electrical and construction organisations.

Also in attendance were Lynsey Gray, Grant McCormick and Gary Shirkey from Associate Member Electrium, who were the event’s official headline sponsor. And fellow Associate Morton Fraser MacRoberts LLP once again kept guests refreshed as the official drinks sponsor and were represented on the day by Neil Kelly, Maya Allen and Kyle Dillon.

The Green revolution

After an hour of reception drinks, the lunch itself began with a welcome speech from SELECT Managing Director Alan Wilson, who outlined the vital role that the electrical sector is playing in the ongoing move to green energy.

Alan said: “Electrical businesses are at the forefront of this electrical revolution, reaping significant benefits as they become increasingly vital to our economy.

“The growth in microgeneration, prosumers’ electrical installations, battery storage and vehicle-to-grid are just some examples of the growing technologies that will contribute to the work carried out by our Members.”

Taking to the stage next, SELECT President Mike Stark used his speech to thank members of fellow trade organisations for attending, including Stuart Smith, Steve Bratt, Andrew Eldred and Gary Parker from the ECA.

He also welcomed Richard Orton and Eddie Arrowsmith from Certsure, Luke Osborne from ESF, Jay Parmar from the JIB and Alan McLean from the EDA.

Mike said: “I am always pleased to be invited to events which are hosted by other trade and professional bodies, so this is an excellent opportunity to repay the generous hospitality we receive from so may others.”

Others welcomed to the event by the President included SJIB Chair Jock Simpson, John Doherty and Richard Campbell from SNIPEF and Helen Yeulet from BESA, as well as SECTT CEO Fiona Harper and colleague Barrie McKay.

Mike’s final greetings went to Gordon Nelson from the FMB, Jocelyn Fleming of the CIOB, Tamsie Thomson from the RIAS, the NFRC’s John McKinney, Paul Mitchell and Ian Honeyman from the SBF and Gary Mees from CIAT.

He also gave special mention to Ron Fraser, the outgoing Chair of Construction Scotland, and presented him with a small gift in recognition of his work over the decades and valuable contribution during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mike then introduced Marcella McArthur, Case Manager at the Electrical Industries Charity, who outlined the importance of the organisation’s work and urged the assembled guests to dig deep and donate to those who need it most. She also gave special mention to SECTT Training and Development Manager Barrie McKay in recognition of his recent fund-raising zipline across the River Clyde in aid of the charity.

Focus on the future

Next up was our guest speaker Professor Smith, who is Professor of Future Construction and Director of the Centre for Future Infrastructure at the University of Edinburgh.

In a fascinating speech, Professor Smith described the electrical sector as the “keystone” to the ongoing transition to net zero and said that it would play “a significant role” in the step change towards renewables.

He told guests: “The change in the generation of primary energy towards renewables by so many countries at the same time is unprecedented.

“There are great opportunities ahead for our future workforce and the importance of schools and the education sector to help the pathway into working in this sector cannot be understated.

“This applies to both large- and small-scale electrical works, from major electrical infrastructure to the installation of low carbon heating systems and EV charging points.”

Professor Smith, who has won a number of key awards for the positive impact of applied research for industry, society and the environment, went on: “The critical and ‘keystone’ role of the electrical sector will support the net zero transition across both transport and buildings – our two largest emissions sectors, accounting for 47% of all emissions.

“Electricians will have a major responsibility in underpinning proactive health and safety approaches and certified work, which supports trust and engagement for the wide range of clients they will work for and with, in the net zero journey and transition.”

A life of learning

It was then on to our grand finale, as Mike returned to the podium to reveal the recipient of the 2024 SELECT Lifetime Achievement Award. Announcing the honour, he said: “Throughout his business life, our winner has always sought to increase his knowledge of the electrical industry and has never sat back and rested on his laurels.

“He has always embraced change and improvements, both to his own individual performance and for those who he employs.

“It’s testament to his skills and devotion to his trade that he now works for second or even third generations of his original customers, which gives him and his long-serving team great satisfaction.”

Mike went on: “While some of his apprentices still work with the business, many others now own their own firms and recruit their own apprentices, carrying on the great example set by their first employer.

“Someone once said that if you cut our winner in half he would have the word SELECT running through him like a stick of rock, something which I fully believe.”

To thunderous applause, Mike then revealed that the recipient of this year’s award was former SELECT President John Noble, who made a short speech thanking his family for their support and his belief that “without apprentices, our industry can’t exist”.

There was still time for more surprises, with Events Manager Linda Rolfe and co-host Judith Wilson taking centre stage to ask the questions in a fun interactive quiz for guests.

After some frantic fastest-finger-first action, the CIOB’s Jocelyne Fleming and SFT CEO Peter Reekie scooped the top prizes for their electrical and construction knowledge. The day’s final words went to SELECT Vice President Darren Crockett, who delivered the closing remarks to the room.

Darren told our guests: “I would like thank everyone for attending today. We really appreciate you taking the time to support our event.

“Professor Smith also gave us a lot to think about and it’s great to know that we have such a keen advocate of our sector.”

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Nurturing the next generation

Award-winner John Noble has always been dedicated to supporting new talent, whether through his firm’s apprentices or his family joining the business

Lifetime Achievement Award winner John Noble grew up on a sheep farm in the Pentland Hills, but was always more at home with the farm machinery than the livestock.

This love of technology saw him set up his own business in the 1970s having served a three-year apprenticeship between 1972 and 1975 due to a skills shortage.

From the very start, he made it clear that he wanted to “grow his own” workforce and in 1982 John Noble Electrical Contractors employed its first apprentice.

Since then, the firm has recruited at least one apprentice every year and has trained more than 50 in total – a remarkable achievement for a small electrical firm.

Based in Bonnyrigg, Midlothian, the business has always been a family affair, with many close relatives playing a role down the decades and his son Alasdair now carrying on the good work as the firm’s Operational Director.

John became Chair of SELECT’s Edinburgh and South East of Scotland Branch in his late 20s and in 2011, was elected President of SELECT.

Since stepping down as an office bearer in 2016, he has continued to serve the industry including as a board member of the Scottish Joint Industry Board (SJIB) and Trustee of the Scottish Electrical Charitable Training Trust (SECTT).

John said: “I feel that proper training is essential to the future of the industry, and to the future of a society which will depend so heavily on the skills and experience of electricians.

“It is a great honour for me to be recognised by my peers with this award, and I would like to thank my family for their support as without them I wouldn’t be here today.

“I would also like to thank everyone at SELECT for their support and guidance over the years and I still feel that it is great to be a Member of the association.”