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EnergyAce MD Attends ECA’s “Electrifying Our Future – Untapped Potential” Reception in Liverpool

On Monday 28 September, Gary Vizard, Managing Director of EnergyAce and Northwest Regional Chair of the Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA), attended Electrifying Our Future – Untapped Potential, an evening reception held at The Bluecoat in Liverpool during the Labour Party Conference.

Hosted by the ECA in partnership with JTL Training and the Electrotechnical Joint Industry Board (JIB), it was the first dedicated electrical sector fringe event of its kind at a Labour Party Conference.

The evening brought together political and industry representatives to celebrate the contribution of the electrotechnical workforce and discuss how Government and industry can work together to meet future skills demand. It also formed part of the ECA’s 125th anniversary celebrations.

Guests heard speeches from Glenn Grant, President of the ECA; Chris Claydon, Chief Executive of JTL Training; and Andy Reakes, Acting CEO of the JIB. They also heard from Veronica Jennings, Labour Manager at Dalkia, who shared her journey from apprentice to her current role and spoke about the barriers that still need to be removed to build a more diverse workforce.

A central theme of the evening was turning interest in electrical careers into qualified electricians.

The ECA’s 2026 Electrical Skills Index found that fewer than one in five learners on government-funded, classroom-based electrical courses progressed into an apprenticeship or skilled employment in 2025/26. Industry leaders called on Government to work with employers, training providers and sector bodies to remove barriers to apprenticeship growth, particularly for the SMEs that train much of the sector’s workforce.

Glenn Grant, ECA President, said: “Electrification is a huge opportunity for the UK, but we will not deliver clean power, warmer homes, EV infrastructure or a modernised grid without the skilled electrical workforce to make it happen.”

Throughout the evening, the Electrifying Our Future media commissioned by the ECA was played which featured EnergyAce while guests met apprentices and representatives from organisations including BEAMA, Electrical Safety First, the North West Electrotechnical Training and Careers Alliance, the Electrical Distributors’ Association and Certsure, hearing first-hand about the workforce and skills challenges facing the industry and the work underway to support the next generation.

As Northwest Regional Chair, Gary plays an active role in representing the region within the ECA. With the event taking place on home ground in Liverpool, it was a valuable opportunity to engage with decision-makers on the vital role the electrotechnical sector will play in the UK’s energy future.

EnergyAce is proud to support the ECA in its 125th year and its work championing the industry and the next generation of electrical professionals.

EnergyAce was delighted to attend the Comsys Colab Conference 2026, held in Malmö, Sweden, from 22nd to 24th September.

EnergyAce was well represented with Managing Director Gary Vizard, Technical Services Manager Chris Scholfield and Sales Manager James Cunliffe joining partners from across Comsys’ global network to mark the company’s 25th anniversary.

Held at the Radisson Blu Hotel Malmö under the theme “Blue Skies Ahead”, the conference looked back on 25 years of innovation and partnership while focusing on the opportunities shaping the future of the power quality industry.

Gary Vizard said: “It was a privilege to celebrate this milestone with Comsys and their partners from around the world”.

“Events like this help us stay at the forefront of power quality and power factor correction technology, ensuring we continue to offer our customers the most effective and reliable solutions available”.

“Getting an early, hands-on look at the latest ADF technology means we’re well placed to bring these solutions to our UK customers, particularly in fast-growing sectors such as data centres”.

“Congratulations to everyone at Comsys on 25 years of perfecting power.”

Delegates at the Comsys Colab Conference 2026

The programme combined product, technology and market sessions. Highlights included an overview of the Comsys ADF S-Series platform with the introduction of the ADF S3, followed by a hands-on walkthrough of the new unit, and an introduction to the ADF S5. Other sessions explored the outlook for AI data centres, the importance of perfect power for data centre operations, the use of ADF technology as a STATCOM to address harmonic and VAR requirements, and the growing role of power quality data.

Away from the conference room, the team enjoyed a welcome evening at Malmö Brewery and a memorable 25th anniversary dinner at the historic Sofiero Palace, before closing the event with individual meetings with the Comsys team.

EnergyAce has expanded its portfolio with the introduction of Uninterruptible Power Supply, or UPS, solutions, giving customers another way to protect critical systems and improve site resilience. Working with manufacturing partner Ablerex, EnergyAce now offers UPS systems from 1kVA to 2000kVA, supported by its UK-based design, installation, maintenance, and technical support capability.  

A UPS helps keep essential equipment running when the mains supply is interrupted. It also helps provide clean, stable power during normal operation, which is particularly important for sensitive systems and critical environments where even a short interruption can lead to disruption, damage, or data loss. 

The addition is a natural fit within the wider EnergyAce offer. The company now offers UPS alongside complementary electrical and power-related services, including Power Factor Correction, Voltage Optimisation, Active Harmonic Filters, and planned maintenance. 

EnergyAce’s UPS capability includes both off-the-shelf and bespoke solutions, allowing systems to be matched to the site, the load profile, and the level of resilience required. Options include single-phase and three-phase systems, support for complex or critical environments, and integration with existing electrical infrastructure and backup generation.  

Through its partnership with Ablerex, EnergyAce is able to deliver properly engineered UPS solutions backed by long-term serviceability and technical support. That means customers can work with one trusted partner from specification through to installation and ongoing support.  

Gary Vizard, Managing Director at EnergyAce, said:

“Adding UPS to the EnergyAce portfolio is a natural next step for us. Our customers already come to us for support with critical electrical systems, so expanding into UPS allows us to offer even more complete protection for sites where continuity and power quality really matter. “

Businesses looking to understand whether UPS could be relevant for their site, assets, or operations can find out more on the EnergyAce website or speak to the team directly.

The ECA Business day chaired by EnergyAce Managing Director, Gary Vizard, is quickly approaching and is now open to Non-Members!

Below is a taste of what to expect at The People’s History Museum on the 5th March.

• Industry-leading speakers including transformation expert John Hogan, Olympic Icon Derek Redmond and AI Innovator Andy Paul.
• Practical sessions on leadership, change, technology and the future of the electrical industry.
• Opportunities to network, share ideas and explore the latest industry‑driving innovations.
• A full day of learning, inspiration and connection

This action-packed event is free to attend but spaces are extremely limited so act fast!

To register, get in touch with EnergyAce today by calling 01695 559785 or dropping an email over the sales@energyace.co.uk before spaces run out!

ECA Business Day – Powering Business Growth – Unlocking Opportunity

Date: 5th March 2026

Time: 9:00 – 16:30

Locations: Peoples History Museum, Leftbank, Manchester. M3 3ER

Learn more about the event by clicking here.

The Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA) has announced several significant leadership changes across the Northwest Region, marking an important moment for members, local branches, and the wider electrotechnical industry. The updates reflect the continued commitment to supporting excellence, collaboration, and long-term development within the sector. 

EnergyAce is proud to share that two of its senior leaders are stepping into new positions within the ECA structure, further strengthening the connection between industry innovation and regional leadership. 

Gary Vizard Appointed Chair of the ECA Northwest Region 

Following years of involvement in local and regional ECA activity, EnergyAce Managing Director Gary Vizard has been appointed as the new Chair of the Northwest Region, succeeding outgoing Chair Jim Keenan. 

Gary has served as Chair of the Lancashire & Fylde Branch and, most recently, as Northwest Vice Chair. His progression into the regional Chair role reflects a steady path of leadership grounded in industry knowledge and active engagement. 

Speaking about the appointment, Gary said: 

“I am very proud to step up to Northwest Region Chair of the Electrical Contractors Association.
My path through the Lancashire & Fylde Branch and regional roles demonstrates a clear route of leadership in understanding what the industry needs to move forward, both locally and nationally.
I am also very proud to give back to an industry that has given so much to me and my business in our journey for excellence.” 

Gary also represents the region at the Northwest Regional Executive Council (REC) and sits on the National Council, giving him the platform to help influence strategy and shape the future of electrotechnical excellence at a national level. 

Matt Longworth Announced as Northwest Region Vice Chair 

Working alongside Gary in his new leadership role is Matt Longworth of 24/7 Group, who has been appointed Vice Chair of the ECA Northwest Region. 

Gary commented on the appointment: 

“I’m looking forward to working closely with Matt. Together with the regional team, we have a real opportunity to make a meaningful impact in shaping the future of electrotechnical excellence on a national scale.” 

Matt’s appointment brings additional experience, perspective, and commitment to member development across the region.  

Stephen Vizard Becomes Chair of the Lancashire & Fylde Branch 

The final update within the region is the appointment of Stephen Vizard, EnergyAce Sales Director, as the new Chair of the Lancashire & Fylde Branch, stepping up from his previous position as Vice Chair. 

Gary, who previously held the role, expressed his pride in seeing Stephen take on the responsibility: 

“I am immensely proud and honoured to hand over the reins to my son Stephen. Succession is really important in any organisation, and Stephen joins a strong regional team shaping the future of electrotechnical excellence on a national scale.
I know he will make a huge success of Chair and will apply the same enthusiasm and dedication to the position as he does in daily life at EnergyAce.” 

Stephen added: 

“It’s a huge honour to take on the role of Chair of the Lancashire & Fylde Branch of the ECA. I look forward to working with fellow members to showcase the fantastic work the electrical industry has to offer.” 

About the ECA 

The Electrical Contractors’ Association is the UK’s leading trade association for electrotechnical and engineering services businesses. Representing thousands of companies nationwide, the ECA works to: 

• Champion high standards of technical excellence 

• Support training and professional development 

• Influence national policy and regulation 

• Advocate for a safer, more sustainable built environment 

Through its regional structure, including the Northwest Region and its local branches, the ECA provides members with guidance, networking opportunities, and a strong collective voice. 

EnergyAce congratulates all involved and looks forward to the positive impact this new leadership team will deliver. 

EnergyAce has once again secured Alcumus SafeContractor accreditation, reaffirming our long-running commitment to health, safety, and ethical compliance.  

This independent verification reduces the paperwork clients need to do when approving suppliers and gives procurement teams confidence that our systems and people meet recognised industry standards. 

The Accreditation Proves Our Health and Safety Systems Work 

SafeContractor is a third-party contractor accreditation scheme that checks businesses against a standard set of safety, competence, and compliance criteria, including policies, risk assessments, competencies, and evidence of appropriate insurance.  

For clients, that means much of the pre-qualification work is already complete and documented.  

This Makes It Faster for Clients to Approve Us 

We work across manufacturing, commercial estates, and public-sector sites where supplier assurance is non-negotiable.  

Holding SafeContractor accreditation shortens onboarding, lowers supply-chain risk, and makes it simpler for facilities teams and procurement to accept EnergyAce as a verified supplier. That saves time and reduces administrative friction on every project we deliver. 

We Have Delivered Safe, Measurable Results for Over Two Decades 

EnergyAce has been delivering guaranteed energy savings since 2002, manufacturing and installing Energy Saving Systems for industrial, commercial, and residential clients worldwide. Maintaining SafeContractor approval for more than 20 years reflects the same operational rigour we bring to our technical work. 

The SafeContractor process reviews our health and safety management, site-operational controls, training records, and evidence of risk-based working procedures. It also aligns with PAS 91 pre-qualification standards used by many public clients, giving our customers a single, recognised benchmark for supplier competence. 

SafeContractor is a valuable badge we wear with pride! 

We’re proud to announce that following the publication of our latest financial accounts, we can be officially considered market leaders in the UK for energy saving and power quality solutions like Voltage Optimisation, Voltage Stabilisers, Power Factor Correction, and Active Harmonic Filtration.

Our multi-award-winning company was incorporated in 2002, and since then, we’ve built on our foundations of sound engineering practice, excellent quality products and first-class customer service.

We’re grateful to our customers, both old and new, whose support put us in our enviable position and although we’re immensely proud, we remain humble in serving our worldwide customer base.

Our appreciation also goes out to our valued employees who have embraced the changes required to manage such accelerated growth. Such an increase in size can be difficult but hiring good people, implementing logical processes and innovative systems has paid off massively.

Our growth journey would have been much more difficult if it wasn’t for the ECA (Electrical Contractors Association), the Goldman Sachs 10KSB business development programme and MMU. These brilliant organisations helped kick start our growth awareness back in 2013 and have shaped EnergyAce as it is today.

A big thank you goes out to the following:

• Gordon Iverson (Our first employee!)
• Roy Outram (Our first customer)
• Liz Gorb, MMU Business School
• Tim Iles, Business Growth Coach
• Jonathan Lawson, MMU & Goldman Sachs 10KSB lead
• Adrian Stores, MMU & Goldman Sachs 10KSB (Marketing & Support)
• Lily Newman, MMU & Goldman Sachs 10KSB (Behavioural Strategist and Leadership Consultant)
• Jim Johnson, Sharon Roberts, Steve Murray, Mark Giardelli, Jim Keenan, and all at the ECA
• John Hogan (Business Development, Strategist & Support)
• My fellow Directors and all my fellow alumni for their unwavering support.

Thank you to all our supporters. Shoot for the stars and you just might hit the moon!

We’re proud to announce we’ve been shortlisted as a finalist for the Manufacturing Business of the Year award at the prestigious Wigan Borough Business Awards 2025. 

This award is in recognition of our commitment to innovation, excellence in manufacturing, and ongoing contribution to both local industry and sustainability efforts across the UK. 

Our nomination follows a rigorous selection process involving a detailed written entry and an in-depth interview with a judging panel. Being chosen as a finalist, especially given the outstanding competition this year, is testament to the dedication and hard work of everyone at EnergyAce. 

EnergyAce Managing Director Gary Vizard commented:
“Being shortlisted for Manufacturing Business of the Year is a fantastic achievement for the whole team. It reflects our relentless focus on quality, continuous innovation, and genuine dedication to helping UK businesses achieve their net-zero targets. We’re excited to represent the very best of manufacturing excellence at the awards evening.” 

The Wigan Borough Business Awards celebrate businesses making a significant impact locally and nationally, and we’re honoured to be among those recognised. As previous winners of notable national awards, including the ECA Contractor of the Year and the BIBAs Business of the Year, we’re proud to bring our experience and credentials to this prestigious event. 

The award ceremony takes place on Saturday, 27 September 2025, at The Brick Community Stadium in Wigan. We’ll be there, proudly representing EnergyAce, and look forward to showcasing our latest product developments. 

We extend our sincere thanks to the judges and organisers for this recognition and, of course, our dedicated team, partners, and customers who’ve helped make this possible. 

At EnergyAce, we believe in putting our money where it counts. That’s why we support Wigan Youth Zone – and their latest impact report shows exactly how far that support goes. 

For every £1 donated, Wigan Youth Zone generates £15 in social value. That means our most recent £1,500 contribution generated around £22,500 of measurable benefits for the young people of Wigan and Leigh.  

Their work drives real outcomes for today’s youth, from employability to mental health, so it couldn’t be more important to the local area. 

WYZ Delivered Across All Three Strategic Priorities 

Wigan Youth Zone’s three-year strategy, Empowering the Next Generation (2024–27), set out to tackle head-on the complex challenges facing young people today. In just the first year, they’ve delivered across all three of their strategic goals: 

• Empowering Tomorrow by expanding access to services and support, with 5,164 members and 2,230 new joiners (+23%). 

• Elevating Engagement by boosting stakeholder collaboration, with 82 volunteers contributing nearly 9,000 hours and 150 organisations now involved. 

• Securing Sustainability by increasing total income by 31% year-on-year to £2.04 million, helping stabilise delivery long-term. 

The Lives Impacted Behind the Stats 

More than 5,000 young people walked through Wigan Youth Zone’s doors last year, and over a third of them came from the borough’s most deprived wards. Thankfully, money wasn’t a barrier: over 1,200 of those memberships were free, and 15,000 hot meals meant nobody went hungry while they were on site. 

Youth workers didn’t just wait for teenagers to turn up, either. They took support to the streets, engaging nearly 1,700 young people where they already gather. 

Most telling of all, a core group of 377 kept coming back at least ten times in just three months. They left reporting calmer heads, stronger friendships, and a real boost in confidence, proof that the programme has a lasting effect on their lives. 

Local Impact That Aligns With Our Values 

As a business rooted in Wigan’s local area, we care deeply about the health of our communities and the future talent pipeline that sustains them. Initiatives like this reduce youth vulnerability, improve educational and employment outcomes, and give the next generation the tools to thrive. 

The charity’s results show a real return on investment. For us, it confirms we’re backing the right partner: one delivering long-term, measurable change for our local area. 

See the Results for Yourself 

If you want to see what this kind of impact looks like in detail, we’d highly recommend reading the full 2024/25 Impact Report. You can find it here: 

https://www.wiganyouthzone.org/annual-report/

We’re thrilled to announce EnergyAce’s participation in the groundbreaking digital series Electrifying Our Future, created by ECA – Excellence in Electrotechnical and Engineering Services, in collaboration with Content With Purpose.

This innovative series showcases the pioneering efforts of engineers, contractors, and industry leaders driving the electrification and sustainable energy transition across the UK. EnergyAce’s dedicated segment highlights our commitment to supporting businesses on their journey towards achieving Net Zero through smart, energy-efficient solutions.

The series is now live, and you can view our feature directly here:
https://contentwithpurpose.co.uk/eca/electrifyingourfuture/series_partners/energy-ace/

We encourage everyone to engage by liking, commenting, and sharing the posts, helping to amplify this important conversation around electrification and sustainability.

EnergyAce’s dedicated social film will premiere on ECA’s social media platforms on April 3rd. Stay tuned!