This month, we sat down with Elliot Tierney, a dedicated volunteer for the Electrical Industries Charity (EIC)

Elliot’s journey with the charity began with a challenge after he signed up for the Kilimanjaro “Challenge for a Cause” event in 2024. Since then, he’s become a passionate advocate for contractor engagement and joined the Emerging Professionals Board.

How it all began

“I first joined the EIC in 2024 when I signed up for the Kilimanjaro challenge,” Elliot explains. “That experience led me to want to do more, so I joined the Emerging Professionals Board.” As one of the few contractors on the board, Elliot sees his role as more than a seat at the table. “I feel it’s my responsibility to advocate for contractors and provide insight into how the EIC can better reach and support people in our part of the industry.”

A personal turning point

Elliot’s first contact with the charity came through regional events. “I used to attend as a guest of wholesalers or suppliers. I was always made to feel welcome, but there was often an expectation to overindulge. At the time, I didn’t have the self-control to say no.” Those experiences triggered some important reflection. “You saw the same behaviours across the contractor community. I realised I needed to make a change – and that I wanted to give back. I first heard about the Kilimanjaro challenge at one of those events, and that’s what set me on this path.”

Finding purpose through the EIC

Along the way, Elliot recognised how easy it can be to slip into unhealthy habits and how common that is in the trade. “I was one of ‘those’ people who was getting out of control. It’s so easy in our industry to think that this behaviour is normal. I want to help change that mindset – and I believe the EIC is key to making that happen.”

What resonates with Elliot most is the personal reassurance the charity offers. “Knowing the EIC is there not just for me, but for my family if anything ever happened – that really sticks with me.”

Ambitions for the future

“My personal goal is to get the word out to contractors,” Elliot says. “There are still so many who don’t know what the EIC does or how they can access help.”

Reflecting on standout memories, one moment comes to mind instantly. “Being part of the Kilimanjaro team. That was life-changing. It’s amazing to say I’m one of a very small group of people who’ve done it. We built a family. It showed me what the EIC is all about – community, connection and support.”

Elliot sees a bright future for the charity. “I see the EIC growing in its reach—especially among contractors. The addition of summer social events is helping make things more accessible and inclusive too.”

Breaking down barriers

When asked about barriers to access, Elliot is quick to point out that the only ones are self-imposed. “There are no real barriers to the EIC – just the ones we put up ourselves. People can call, fill in the web form or email directly. But pride gets in the way. Especially for contractors and especially for men – we don’t like to talk and that can stop us from getting help when we really need it.”

What’s next?

“I’m really excited to see the 120 year anniversary campaign come to life,” Elliot says. “There are some brilliant events coming up over the next few months as part of the 120 year campaign and upcoming challenge for a cause events in 2026… I can’t say too much yet, but keep an eye on the website!”

Advice for others

“If you’re thinking about getting involved with the EIC, do it,” Elliot urges. “It’s so rewarding to be part of something that gives back to our industry. The more involved you get, the more you realise the impact the EIC has—and how much more there is to do to raise awareness across the sector.”

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ESP’s Beacon disabled refuge range is being increasingly sought after by contractors working on larger projects.

Meeting the requirements of BS 9999:2017 and Building Regulations Approved Document B, the range comprises a variety of products designed to assist emergency evacuation situations, with the aim of assisting people with limited mobility to safely exit the building.

There are two beacon master station options available, a push button version with 2-8 lines, and a touchscreen version with capacity for up to 512 lines. During an emergency the master station provides clear duplex audio to assist an evacuation process.

Disabled refuge outstations, known as ‘Type B’ outstations, provide a fixed point of communication for users who require evacuation or assistance. Situated in refuge areas in protected stairwells, it provides duplex audio to the master station.

Fire telephone handsets, known as ‘Type A’ outstations, are for use by the fire and rescue service, allowing the officer at the fire control centre to communicate with other officers to control the evacuation.

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Armorduct has joined the Electrical Distributors’ Association (EDA) as an affiliate manufacturer has also joined the EDATA data pool, where manufacturers share their product data with multiple wholesalers.

Alfie Rowe, Managing Director at Amorduct, said: “We pride ourselves on offering the wholesaler the best possible service by working closely with them to meet a contractor’s needs. Joining the EDA and EDATA is an important step for us in that drive by making as much information as easily available as possible.

“Having the highest quality product information readily at hand is a vital part of that service, but we aim to go further than other manufacturers by offering a more flexible alternative in addition to our standard product offer. We will work as an extension of the wholesaler so that we can help them solve problems for the contractor, whether that’s to save time on site or to meet a particularly tricky design brief for cable management.

Margaret Fitzsimons, CEO at the EDA added “We are delighted to welcome Armorduct to the Association and to the EDATA data pool, which is a key pillar of our work to digitalise the UK’s electrotechnical sector. Armorduct recognises the efficiencies in productivity that streamlined high quality data can deliver to every point in the supply chain. This is primarily about driving sales from manufacturer to wholesaler, and wholesaler to contractor, but it is also about improving the accuracy and traceability of product information during a building’s lifetime – an increasingly important demand in the construction sector.”

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