CTEK has welcomed the UK government’s decision to increase the value of EV chargepoint grants and extend several schemes aimed at supporting electric vehicle infrastructure.

The maximum grant available has increased from £350 to £500, with several schemes extended for a final year until 31 March 2027. The funding is available to support installations for flat owners and renters, residential landlords, households with off-street parking and employers providing workplace charging.

Viktors Nikolajevs, UK Key Account Manager at CTEK, said: “The increase in the maximum grant from £350 to £500 is a very welcome added incentive to flat owners and renters, residential landlords, households with off-street parking and employers with workplace parking.

“They all have until 31 March 2027 to apply for the increased amount. Although the maximum grant for state-funded education institutions is decreasing, there will still be up to £2,000 per socket available until the end of March next year.”

The government’s Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) is also introducing a new application portal for grants covering flats, renters and residential properties, allowing customers to apply directly.

Find more industry news here

The post Extension of UK EV chargepoint grants welcomed appeared first on Professional Electricians Wholesaler.

Multi-award-winning British audio manufacturer Q Acoustics announces its new Q Acoustics Certified Installer (QCI) Programme, a dedicated training initiative designed to equip professional electricians with the skills, knowledge and confidence to install its range of high-performance home audio systems and speakers. The free programme opens-up a valuable new revenue stream for electricians while making professionally installed audio more accessible to homeowners.

Developed in response to direct industry feedback, the QCI Programme addresses the three biggest barriers electricians face when offering home audio solutions: lack of training, concerns around product complexity, and homeowner perception.

Through three comprehensive online modules, electricians will gain a clear understanding of home audio fundamentals, product technologies, and best-practice installation techniques. The training is designed to demystify the category, enabling participants to confidently explain, sell and install Q Acoustics systems. Additional modules are planned for release in 2026, ensuring the programme evolves in line with installer feedback and industry needs.

“Professional electricians told us they want to expand into home audio but feel it is too complex or challenging to get started,” says Charlie Henderson, Managing Director, Q Acoustics. “The QCI Programme removes that uncertainty by providing the right training, the right products, and the right support to succeed.”

A key focus of the programme is highlighting Q Acoustics’ ‘Easy Install’ range. Featuring innovative solutions such as EasyFit speakers and the E60, E120 and E300A audio systems, these products are specifically engineered for fast, straightforward installation without compromising on performance. By reducing installation time and complexity, electricians can deliver premium audio solutions that remain competitive with smart audio and speaker systems in both cost and convenience.

The programme also tackles homeowner perception – one of the most persistent challenges in the category. Many homeowners believe that installed audio systems are complex, expensive, and require highly specialised engineers. QCI-trained electricians will be equipped to resolve these understandable concerns, presenting simple, elegant solutions that integrate seamlessly into modern living spaces.

Upon successful completion of the programme, electricians will receive an official QCI certification. This includes the ability to display the QCI certified installer logo on quotes and marketing materials, reinforcing credibility and professionalism. Certified installers will also be featured on the Q Acoustics website and linked through product listings, helping drive new business opportunities directly to them.

Q Acoustics will also actively share and promote installation project content and videos across its social media channels, helping to increase visibility and exposure for our partners and their work.

To further support adoption, Q Acoustics is offering an exclusive incentive: The first 20 newly certified installers can purchase their first Easy Install system – E60, E120 or E300A – bundled with a pair of Qi65CE speakers at 50% off the Electrical Wholesaler Trade Price (terms apply). This enables electricians to gain hands-on experience with the products while maximising their initial investment.

With the QCI Programme, Q Acoustics is redefining how home audio is brought to market – empowering electricians, simplifying installation, and making high-quality sound more accessible than ever. For electricians ready to grow their business, the message is simple: Learn. Install. Earn.

Sign up to the QCI Programme here.

To learn more about our Easy Install product range visit www.qacoustics.co.uk

Find more industry news here

The post Learn. Install. Earn: Q Acoustics Launches Certified Installer Programme appeared first on Professional Electricians Wholesaler.

It’s been a busy few months in the electrical industry, with new appointments and shake-ups across different sectors. Keep up to date with the latest movements here, as we details who has gone where…

Ben Swift, Lee Hems & Samuel Ferriday

OVIA

Ovia has announced three key appointments to its UK sales team as the business continues its strong growth trajectory. Ben Swift has joined as Regional Sales Manager for the Southern Region. Ben brings over 20 years of experience within the electrical industry, predominantly in lighting and the wholesale market. His career includes senior roles with a number of leading players in this sector.

Joining Ben’s Southern team is Lee Hems, appointed Area Sales Manager for East Anglia and Essex. Lee brings over six years of experience in the specification lighting market, having progressed through several technical and customer facing roles. Lee’s strong technical background, customer‑focused approach and deep understanding of lighting solutions will support Ovia’s continued expansion across the region.

Ovia also welcomes Samuel Ferriday as Area Sales Manager for the West Midlands. Samuel joins with over a decade of experience in the electrical wholesale sector, having progressed through sales, account management and branch management roles.

Flavie Lowres

RECOLIGHT

Recolight has announced the appointment of Flavie Lowres as Environmental Metrics Manager. Flavie will play a pivotal role in supporting the lighting industry in the adoption of Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs). Flavie joins Recolight with a distinguished track record in Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs), EPDs, and the circular economy of construction products and buildings. Flavie is a fellow of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3) and chairs their Construction Materials Group Board and is also Sustainability Champion at the Finishes and Interiors Sector (FIS).

Dr James Ezhaya

SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC

Schneider Electric has appointed Dr. James Ezhaya as Senior Vice President, Industrialization and Supply Chain for the Power Products Division. The appointment reflects Schneider Electric’s continued focus on strengthening industrial execution and supply chain performance to support the division’s growth and customer needs.

James has served as the Vice President of Quality & Customer Satisfaction, Sustainability and Operational Excellence for the Power Products Division, joining Power Products in 2022. He has demonstrated his ability to strengthen quality performance, accelerate sustainability integration, and embed continuous improvement disciplines across the division.

Catch up on previous months ‘Movers and shakers’ articles here

The post Movers and Shakers | May 2026 appeared first on Professional Electricians Wholesaler.

Recolight is offering a comprehensive WEEE compliant project collection service, specifically designed to support large scale luminaire projects across the UK.

The service provides an integrated collection and recycling solution for all lighting waste generated during major projects. This includes lamps, luminaires, emergency batteries, and all electricals covered by the WEEE Regulations. By offering a single point of contact for project requirements, Recolight ensures carbon efficient, compliant management of lighting waste from start to finish.

“Collection and recycling of luminaires and lamps is free for Recolight Scheme Members, subject to our standard terms and conditions,” said Lyndsey Tweddle, Recolight’s Customer Service Manager. “We’ve been providing project collections for many years, and due to increasing demand, we are now offering the service to non‑members as well. We’re seeing strong uptake from organisations who value a compliant, carbon efficient solution delivered by a specialist team.”

“Our streamlined service makes us the go-to supplier for all lighting waste needs on large projects,” said Nigel Harvey, CEO Recolight, “We take the hassle out of compliance and recycling, so our customers can focus on delivering energy-efficient lighting upgrades with confidence.”

Find more industry news here

The post Recolight announces collection service for large scale luminaire projects appeared first on Professional Electricians Wholesaler.

Marshall-Tufflex has opened a new Customer Experience Centre in Manchester, creating a dedicated facility for customers and partners across the electrical industry.

The purpose-built centre has been designed as a hub for meetings, product demonstrations and training, allowing the company to host customer visits, CPD sessions and technical presentations. It also provides visitors with the opportunity to explore Marshall-Tufflex’s cable management solutions and discuss applications with members of the company’s team.

The facility showcases a wide range of cable management systems, including Basor metal cable management products such as wire basket, ladder, tray and trunking systems. Visitors can also view the company’s PVC-U cable management range, which includes trunking and conduit manufactured using recycled PVC-U.

Other displays highlight Marshall-Tufflex’s underfloor-to-desk solutions designed to manage power and data connections from raised floors to workstations, as well as GRP cable management systems suited to harsh or corrosive environments.

In addition to product displays, the centre includes meeting and training facilities, featuring a conference room that can accommodate up to 18 guests in a boardroom layout or 35 theatre style. Two breakout rooms, seating four and eight people respectively, are also available for smaller meetings and discussions.

Marshall-Tufflex says the new Manchester facility reflects its ongoing commitment to supporting contractors and wholesalers with practical environments where they can learn more about products, applications and best practice.

Find more industry news here

The post Marshall-Tufflex opens new Manchester Customer Experience Centre appeared first on Professional Electricians Wholesaler.

ERP provider Intact has announced it is rebranding to GenetiQ, marking a defining milestone in the company’s evolution as a modern, cloud-first ERP platform for merchants, wholesalers and distributors.

Founded in Ireland, the business has grown from its origins as a finance-led system into a full end-to-end ERP platform supporting inventory-driven businesses across Ireland, the UK, the USA and Australia/New Zealand.

Justin Lawless, Chief Executive Officer, said: “GenetiQ marks the next stage in our journey as a company. The platform we’ve built over the past few years reflects the direction we set for the business, and the new name simply brings that into focus.

“Our software now supports far more of our customers’ day-to-day operations than when we first began, and the genetics of the businesses we serve remain built into everything we do. While the name and look are evolving, our independence and long-term commitment to customers remain unchanged.”

The Intact name originated from ‘Integrated Accounts’, reflecting the platform’s early focus on finance. Today, GenetiQ delivers financial, operational and commercial capability in a unified system designed for scale and continued growth.

As part of its growth strategy, GenetiQ plans to recruit 140 additional team members over the next two years to support continued product development and expansion.

Find more industry news here

The post Intact rebrands as GenetiQ appeared first on Professional Electricians Wholesaler.

The Associated National Electrical Wholesalers (ANEW) buying group has announced its sponsorship of EDATA, the electrotechnical sector’s award-wining data pool, which is managed by the Electrical Distributors’ Association (EDA). ANEW is the latest of 27 top supply chain sponsors – a mix of leading wholesalers, manufacturers, and buying groups – to give their backing to the data pool. Free to every EDA wholesaler and branch, EDATA puts the power of high-quality manufacturer product information at the heart of every wholesaler business decision.

Samantha McFall, CEO at ANEW, said, “On behalf of our wholesaler members, it is important for ANEW to endorse the data pool. EDATA is a powerful data engine, not only as a stand-alone resource, but also its seamless integration with the software wholesalers rely on – from ERP and inventory management systems to e-commerce platforms – ensures accurate, high-quality product information is at the heart of every wholesaler business.

“The market is tough and we need to make the most of the resources available to us. With EDATA manufacturers know their product data is represented correctly, and it gives wholesalers an edge over slower, less-informed competitors as their contractor customers receive accurate product info, improving trust and satisfaction.

“As wholesaler businesses become more digitised, trusted product data drives performance, scalability, and profitability. We strongly advise all our approved suppliers to get involved with EDATA.”

Margaret Fitzsimons, CEO at the EDA, added “Having a leading wholesaler organisation like ANEW as an EDATA sponsors is more than a vote of confidence – it brings vision, experience, and a commitment to innovation that helps us ensure the data pool meets the evolving needs of wholesalers and manufacturers alike. Very importantly, it brings EDATA even closer to the ANEW members, who can benefit most from what EDATA has to offer and gives them a voice in the future development of the data pool. We look forward to working ever more closely with ANEW members in future.”

Find more industry news here

The post ANEW buying group announced as latest EDATA data pool sponsor appeared first on Professional Electricians Wholesaler.

CEF has announced that registrations are now open for its latest TechTalks series, running from May to July 2026. Delivered in partnership with the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), the free events will visit 25 locations across the UK, giving electricians and contractors practical insight into the upcoming Amendment 4:2026 to BS 7671:2018 IET Wiring Regulations.

The IET will publish Amendment 4 to the 18th Edition Wiring Regulations on 15 April 2026. The update will introduce changes that affect how electrical installations are designed, installed and inspected, making it important for installers to understand how the new requirements will apply in practice. CEF’s TechTalks aim to help electricians stay ahead of the changes, providing a clear overview of the amendment and what it means for day-to-day installation work.

Returning to host the sessions are CEF’s Head of Electrotechnical Solutions, Darren Staniforth, alongside technical expert Dave Austin. Together they will guide attendees through the key updates in the new amendment, explain the practical implications for installers, and answer questions alongside a representative from the IET.

Each event will also feature an exhibition space where leading brands will showcase products and technologies designed to help electricians meet the latest requirements and stay compliant with the Wiring Regulations.

Darren Staniforth, Head of Electrotechnical Solutions at CEF, said: “With a new amendment to the Wiring Regulations being introduced, it’s important that electricians understand what’s changing and how it affects their work. TechTalks are designed to break down the updates in a practical way, helping installers stay informed and confident when applying the new regulations on site.”

Each TechTalk is CPD accredited and free to attend, with complimentary breakfast, refreshments, and free parking available at every venue; plus, the opportunity to purchase the 18th Edition Wiring Regulations at a discounted rate on the day.

Find more industry news here

The post Registration open for new CEF TechTalk series appeared first on Professional Electricians Wholesaler.

It’s been a busy few months in the electrical industry, with new appointments and shake-ups across different sectors. Keep up to date with the latest movements here, as we details who has gone where…

Chris Pereira

FOCUS SB

Chris Pereira has been appointed as Business Development Manager at Focus SB. A familiar face in the bespoke electrical accessories industry, Chris Pereira will be covering the Midlands and Home Counties in his new role. Chris Pereira’s career journey began with three years of study in electrical and electrotechnical engineering at college. He then worked as a teacher for students with special needs while continuing to search for an opportunity within the electrical industry. For eight years, Chris worked as an electrician for a small, private firm that offered a diverse range of projects. This experience allowed him to build valuable electrical and customer support skills, which contributed to both his professional growth and drive for new challenges.

Gordon Ross

VCHRGD

UK EV charging technology manufacturer VCHRGD has announced the appointment of Gordon Ross as the company’s first Marketing Director, marking a significant step in its continued growth across the UK EV charging ecosystem.

Gordon will work with the VCHRGD leadership team to strengthen the company’s brand presence and support expansion across key market segments including installer and wholesale partnerships, energy supplier integrations, fleet electrification and EV salary sacrifice schemes.

Gordon has already been working closely with the VCHRGD team on several recent marketing initiatives, including supporting the launch of the company’s energy supplier integration with Octopus, helping develop the Partner Spotlight programme highlighting installer and technology collaborations, and building the business’s marketing roadmap for the year ahead.

Clair Mowbray

CERTSURE

Certsure, the organisation behind NICEIC, has announced the appointment of Clair Mowbray as Chief Executive Officer, effective 30 March 2026.

A proven CEO, Clair joins Certsure having led nationally significant, safety-critical organisations including The Fire Service College and the National College for High Speed Rail. She brings extensive experience in delivering technical excellence, operating within complex sectors, and working closely with industry and government to strengthen the development of skills and talent pipelines.

As CEO, Clair will be responsible for Certsure’s future strategic direction and will lead the organisation’s vital work to safeguard public safety, raise standards, and uphold the highest levels of technical competence. She will focus on strengthening Certsure’s industry-leading position to deliver even greater value for its customers, and will work collaboratively with stakeholders and government to ensure NICEIC-certified businesses – and the wider sector – are well positioned to meet the needs of today and the evolving demands of tomorrow.

Andy Munson

EXI-TITE

As part of an ongoing commitment to strengthening its team and supporting continued business growth, HVAC supplier Exi-tite has appointed Andy Munson as Regional Sales Manager – London, and Trevor Girvan as Technical Engineer.

Andy Munson joins the business with 46 years of experience in the HVAC industry. During his career, he has worked with organisations including Space Air (Daikin distributor), Toshiba Air Conditioning and CIAT. His background includes heat pumps, air conditioning, heating units and dehumidification systems.

Georgia Burke & Dave Velan

DRAYTON

Drayton has further bolstered its regional sales team with the appointments of Georgia Burke as Area Sales Manager for the Central Region and Dave Velan as Area Sales Manager for the North East.

In his role, Dave covers the east side of Northern England, including Hull and East Yorkshire, through to the North East corner of Scotland. Dave brings extensive industry experience, including several roles that span a total of 23 years with City Plumbing, where he was most recently a Senior Account Manager within the regional team. Dave also spent seven years focusing on social housing within the national team before returning to a regional position covering the North East and Cumbria.

In her new position, Georgia is responsible for specification across social housing, new build developments and large contractors. Her focus is on developing strong customer relationships, identifying new opportunities, and supporting specification processes to help drive growth throughout the Central Region of the country.

Georgia joins Drayton with over a decade of experience within the industry behind her. She previously spent six years at Grundfos, where she developed strong commercial and technical expertise.

Catch up on previous months ‘Movers and shakers’ articles here

The post Movers and Shakers | April 2026 appeared first on Professional Electricians Wholesaler.

Drayton has revealed new analysis of Marginal Abatement Cost Curve (MACC) data, confirming that upgrading heating controls is one of the most cost-effective ways for households to cut carbon emissions and reduce energy bills.

MACC analysis assesses which energy-saving measures deliver the greatest carbon savings for the lowest installation cost. Drayton’s latest review compared heating controls – including thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs), auto-balancing TRVs and programmable thermostats – with measures such as loft and solid wall insulation.

The findings show standard TRVs deliver a marginal abatement cost of -£295 per tonne of CO₂e, while a Digistat programmable thermostat achieves -£275 and auto-balancing TRVs -£272. By comparison, solid wall insulation delivers -£46 per tonne and loft insulation -£81. A negative MACC value indicates the measure saves more money over its lifetime than it costs to install, making it a positive investment from day one.

Nick Hunt, UK Sales and Marketing Director at Drayton, said: “With ongoing cost-of-living pressures and growing demand for low-carbon solutions, the MACC findings highlight clear advantages for installers and homeowners.

“Compared with insulation, upgrading heating controls is quick and low disruption. Installers can deliver immediate bill savings and improved comfort, with strong upsell potential, particularly with auto-balancing TRVs.”

Drayton says the results demonstrate that traditional heating controls provide an accessible, lower-cost route to reducing carbon emissions while supporting wider Net Zero ambitions.

Find more industry news here

The post Drayton highlights heating controls as low-cost carbon solution appeared first on Professional Electricians Wholesaler.