Powered Now Receptionist 'Missed calls cost you money' now available

Powered Now has launched Powered Now Receptionist, a new service designed to help tradespeople capture potential jobs when they are unable to answer the phone. Available on iOS, Android and the web, Powered Now Receptionist engages with customers, holds a natural conversation, asks relevant questions about the job and books appointments directly into the tradesperson's diary. The idea is to tackle a familiar problem for tradespeople who may be on a ladder, under a boiler or otherwise unable to stop work to answer an incoming call. Instead of returning a missed call later, users can find that the enquiry has already been handled and an appointment confirmed. The launch follows Powered Now's NOW Report, research into the working lives of UK tradespeople. According to the company, the research identified missed calls and slow administration as significant causes of lost work, with tradespeople potentially missing jobs they were unaware of because they could not answer the phone. Powered Now also points to research suggesting that 33% of small businesses fail to answer incoming calls and 69% of people reaching voicemail hang up without leaving a message. With the company estimating that a single call to a trade business can be worth between £200 and £600, the potential cost of unanswered calls can quickly mount. Robert Brown of RB Electrical Services has been using Powered Now Receptionist since its launch. "Within the first week of using the receptionist, it answered six calls that would previously have gone to voicemail and four of those turned into booked jobs. That's a 66% conversion rate on work I'd have simply missed otherwise." Benjamin Dyer, CEO and Co-Founder of Powered Now, says, "We built Powered Now Receptionist to address one of the clearest gaps our research uncovered, the moment a phone rings and nobody's free to answer it. Now, no job needs to be missed due to a lost call. There's no excuse for it to happen." Powered Now Receptionist forms part of the wider Powered Now software offering for trade businesses, providing another way for users to manage customer enquiries and administration while working on site. More information is available from the company.

Stellantis &You Preston transformed with TRILUX lighting solution

TRILUX has delivered a lighting solution for the refurbishment of Stellantis &You Preston, supporting the dealership’s transformation into a modern multi-brand retail environment.  Designed by Scaramanga Design, the project introduced dedicated showroom spaces for Peugeot, Vauxhall, Fiat and Abarth alongside new customer and aftersales areas.  Combining B.Veo spotlights with Lightpanel luminaires, the lighting concept balances accent and ambient illumination to enhance vehicle presentation, improve visual consistency and create a clear, customer-focused showroom experience aligned with Stellantis corporate identity standards. In its transition from traditional car retailer to ‘brand house’, Stellantis &You Preston underwent a major refurbishment. The refurbishment created a contemporary multi-brand dealership bringing together Peugeot, Vauxhall, Fiat and Abarth within a single integrated retail environment. Scaramanga Design was appointed as lead design consultant for the redesign, which included new showroom spaces, customer areas, service reception facilities and refurbished workshops. Lighting played an important role in shaping the overall customer experience. Alongside meeting Stellantis corporate identity requirements, the scheme needed to create a consistent visual approach across multiple vehicle brands while remaining flexible throughout the dealership. The project was delivered through close collaboration between TRILUX, Scaramanga Design and Quay Contracts.  The lighting concept moves beyond traditional spotlight-only showroom schemes by combining black B.Veo spotlights with Lightpanel luminaires to create a more balanced retail environment. Grado and Amatris luminaires also complement the scheme. B.Veo spotlights introduce focused accents to the vehicle displays, highlighting surfaces, contours and finishes throughout the space. Lightpanel luminaires provide a softer layer of ambient illumination, improving horizontal uniformity and helping create a brighter, more visually consistent environment. This layered approach avoids the darker zones and uneven appearance often associated with spotlight-only showroom schemes. Vehicles remain clearly visible from all areas of the showroom while the overall environment feels open, comfortable and visually balanced. TRILUX also supplied the emergency lighting throughout the showroom. Stellantis’ retail design guide places strong emphasis on customer experience, visual clarity and contemporary showroom presentation. This scheme delivers exactly that through careful coordination between accent and ambient lighting, helping create a cleaner and more cohesive environment throughout the dealership while supporting both vehicle presentation and customer interaction. Mike Strain, Director at Scaramanga Design, comments: “One of the key considerations was avoiding the uneven appearance that can happen in large showroom environments when accent lighting is overused. Introducing a softer layer of ambient illumination helped create a more balanced visual experience across the different vehicle brands while maintaining the flexibility needed within the showroom. TRILUX worked closely with us throughout the project to ensure the lighting aligned with both the architectural vision and the practical requirements of the dealership.”

Eddie Embleton appointed CEO Designate of the Electrical Distributors' Association

The Electrical Distributors' Association (EDA), a leading body in the UK’s electrotechnical supply chain, has announced the appointment of Eddie Embleton as CEO Designate from 1 October 2026. Eddie brings over a decade of senior-level experience within the electrical industry, most recently as Managing Director of Voltimum, where he led and grew its digital media and data business.  He has already built strong working relationships with many wholesalers, manufacturers and associations across the sector, which he will draw on in his new role. The appointment follows a highly successful 12-year tenure by Margaret Fitzsimons as Chief Executive and includes a structured transition period as she steps back into a part-time strategic role, ensuring continuity and a smooth handover of responsibilities. In his new role, Eddie will lead the EDA's next phase of development, working with the Board, the EDA team and the Association's 260 wholesaler members and 130 affiliated companies to strengthen the EDA's position at the heart of the industry and further develop its work across training and education, digital innovation through EDATA and ETIM, market insight and events. EDA President, David Moore, says, “I am delighted to welcome Eddie to the EDA. He brings a strong understanding of our industry together with a proven track record of building partnerships across the sector. We look forward to working closely with Eddie to develop and deliver services that add real value for our members.” Commenting on his appointment, Eddie Embleton adds, "It's a real privilege to be joining the EDA. This is an organisation with a fantastic reputation, built over many years, and I'm looking forward to working with the Board, the team and our members to build on that success. I've spent much of my career working alongside wholesalers, manufacturers and associations across this sector, and I can't wait to bring that experience to the EDA as we move into its next phase of development."

Luceco appoints Dr Thorsten Müller as Chief Executive Officer

Luceco Group, a designer and manufacturer of residential and commercial electrification products and systems, has announced the appointment of Dr Thorsten Müller as Chief Executive Officer, with effect from 1 September 2026. Thorsten brings extensive experience leading global industrial technology businesses, across lighting, electrification and energy management sectors. Most recently, he was Divisional Chief Executive in the Safety Sector at Halma plc. Before joining Halma in 2022, he held senior leadership roles at ABB, Osram and Bosch. Giles Brand, Chair of Luceco, says: "We are thrilled that Thorsten will be joining Luceco as Chief Executive Officer. Thorsten has a proven track record of delivering growth and innovation at industry-leading technology companies serving the lighting, electrification and energy management segments. He brings all the necessary skills and experience to drive the continued execution of our strategy." Thorsten comments: "I am truly excited to be joining Luceco as Chief Executive. Luceco is a business of real quality, and I am grateful for the opportunity to build on the strong foundations that the Luceco team have built. Luceco's premier brands, market-leading positions and exceptional people give me firm confidence in the core of the business, while the energy transition offers significant further upside that Luceco is exceptionally well placed to capture." The appointment comes at a time of continued positive momentum for Luceco, with the Group reporting a strong performance for H1 2026.

Ansell Extends XPRESS Capability

Ansell Lighting has extended its XPRESS capability to two further product ranges, bringing the installation system to its Disco EVO bulkhead and Nouline LED batten. Designed to speed up installation and simplify retrofit upgrades, XPRESS allows emergency and microwave sensor functionality to be added to standard luminaires using clip-in packs. The updated Disco EVO and Nouline products feature clearly labelled gear trays with dedicated press-and-clip connection points. This enables installers to fit XPRESS Emergency Packs and XPRESS Microwave Sensors without tools, with the packs pushed into position before the wires are connected. Ansell says the approach also offers benefits for wholesalers by reducing the number of SKUs they need to hold while maintaining customer choice. Wholesalers can stock the standard XPRESS-compatible luminaires alongside the separate emergency and sensor packs, allowing functionality to be added when required. Nouline XPRESS is a high-performance LED batten designed for indoor applications. Available in three lengths, it offers CCT and power selectability, multiple conduit entry points and BESA fixing points. A high-transmittance polycarbonate diffuser is designed to provide consistent illumination and reduced glare. Disco EVO XPRESS is a slim bulkhead suitable for residential, commercial and industrial applications, as well as ancillary areas. It delivers up to 145lm/W, offers selectable colour temperatures of 3000K, 4000K and 6500K and provides a choice of three outputs from a single luminaire. Mark Abbott, Managing Director at Ansell Lighting, says, "Since launch, the XPRESS capability has gone down really well with wholesalers and installers alike and, in response, we are gradually extending it across a range of our most in-demand products. "Disco EVO and Nouline are two of our most popular and widely specified products, which made them the ideal choice to benefit from the XPRESS system." More information is available from Ansell Lighting.

UK data centre lighting market to reach £130m

The UK data centre lighting market is projected to reach around £130 million by 2030, more than doubling from approximately £54 million in 2024, according to UK commercial lighting manufacturer Whitecroft Lighting. As the UK has become a major location for European data centre development, the company notes there has been an increasing demand for lighting and mechanical and electrical (M&E) infrastructure. Data centre lighting currently represents around 6% of the UK commercial lighting market. Based on the projected 2030 market value, this could rise to around 14%, exceeding the shares attributed to commercial offices and entertainment and leisure lighting (both at 13%) and education lighting (at 11%). Whitecroft estimates that the wider market will grow from £13 billion to £32 billion over the next four years, with the expansion of AI contributing to demand. “The unprecedented growth of the UK data centre market presents both big opportunities and challenges to lighting manufacturers,” says Richard Williams, Head of Strategic Projects at Whitecroft Lighting. “It’s impossible to ignore a growing £32 billion market on your doorstep. To put that in perspective, the entire capital investment budget for NHS estates is around £10 billion this year. “However, data centres present a unique environment, both in their complexity and scale, with developers facing systemic challenges, such as access to the grid and renewable energy, technical resilience, and access to water for cooling all taking precedence over more traditional construction and M&E.” Data centre projects create larger lighting contracts Richard explains that the value of data centre lighting relative to construction costs is lower than in typical commercial buildings. He continues, “As a result, Whitecroft’s Strategic Projects team have calculated that the value of data centre lighting, when compared to the overall cost of construction, is 60% lower than for a typical commercial building. “However, such is the size of the latest multi-billion-pound hyperscale data centres that larger manufacturers, such as Whitecroft Lighting, can offset this by fulfilling big, varied contracts.” Whitecroft says it has increasingly focused on large infrastructure projects where security and resilience are key considerations. In 2022, it secured a contract to design and manufacture LED lighting for Hinkley Point C, supplying 40,000 luminaires. The company also supplied £3 million of lighting for Manchester Airport’s Terminal 2 redevelopment, providing 25,000 lights. Whitecroft has since secured contracts to supply lighting for two data centres, one in Portugal and another near Frankfurt, Germany. The company is one of 13 specialist lighting brands within the European Fagerhult Group. Several brands within the group are collaborating on data centre projects across Europe, including Veko Lightsystems in the Netherlands.

How students can get extra industry support through free NAPIT foundation membership

As young people across the UK receive their GCSE, T Level and A Level results, NAPIT Foundation is offering free membership to students and apprentices, giving young people access to expert technical guidance, educational resources, CPD and regular industry updates. Results day is an important milestone, and for those aiming to become electricians, it is also a great opportunity to look at the support available to help them build confidence, develop technical understanding and prepare for employment. For young people considering an electrical apprenticeship or moving onto further education, staying informed of the latest industry information can make a positive difference. This support is especially valuable in a year of significant industry change. Amendment 4 to BS 7671:2018, the IET Wiring Regulations, introduces important updates for electricians. Understanding changes like these early can help learners enhance their knowledge and develop their understanding. NAPIT hosts monthly technical webinars led by industry experts, giving students and apprentices the chance to learn about current topics, ask questions and gain insight into the standards and technologies shaping the sector. These webinars provide a way for young people to keep learning, build confidence and stay informed. NAPIT supports learners on their journey into the electrical industry and to celebrate their achievements on GCSE, T Level and A Level results day. The free NAPIT Foundation membership aims to help the next generation of electricians strengthen their knowledge and get extra support. Brett Forster, Technical and Commercial Director says, “Learners should be proud of their efforts this results day and NAPIT congratulates all NAPIT Foundation students and colleges for their efforts this academic year. “Through NAPIT Foundation, we are pleased to offer free membership that supports learners with technical resources, expert guidance and opportunities to enhance their knowledge as they begin their journey into the industry. Congratulations to the students who received their A Level or T Level results last week, and good luck to those receiving their GCSE results this week.”

Forum's new BHS range puts high-street design on the trade shelf

Forum Lighting Solutions has officially launched a major new decorative lighting range under the household-name BHS label, bringing retail-inspired interior design directly into the electrical wholesale channel. The move represents a significant expansion for the long-established lighting and smart controls manufacturer, combining Forum’s established trade infrastructure with a brand already familiar to generations of UK homeowners. Steve Kaye, Sales Marketing Manager at Forum, said: "We are excited by this move. For wholesalers, this opens up a bigger slice of the decorative lighting market than they've previously been able to compete for. "For installers, it means a client can ask for a specific look by name, and there's now a very good chance you can quote it, source it and fit it without a detour to a specialist retail supplier." The BHS collection is organised into six distinct style families, designed to address a broad range of interior trends and customer requirements. 'All That Glitters' features crystal elements, polished chrome and statement chandeliers, while 'Mid Century' takes inspiration from 1950s and 60s design with geometric lines, warm brass tones and orb styling. 'Showhome' delivers an aspirational aesthetic through oversized glass pendants, velvet textures and neutral palettes, while 'Scandi' focuses on minimalist design, pale woods, matt finishes and soft monochromatic tones. Completing the collection, 'Country' combines traditional lantern forms and antiqued metals for more rustic interiors, while 'Industrial' uses exposed elements, matt black ironwork and wirework cages for contemporary and urban-inspired projects. Forum says every product within the new BHS decorative range is stocked at its central distribution hub, with immediate dispatch and next-day delivery available. This should prove particularly useful for contractors and installers working to tight project schedules where decorative fittings can sometimes introduce lengthy lead times. Supporting the launch is a dedicated 90-page catalogue featuring lifestyle imagery alongside product information. Forum says the approach is designed to provide wholesalers and installers with a useful sales tool when discussing decorative lighting options directly with homeowners. The BHS collection joins Forum's existing portfolio, including Kinetic wireless, battery-free switching, Zink Outdoor architectural lighting, Spa Bathroom IP-rated fittings, Coast Outdoor products designed for challenging coastal environments and Culina Kitchen task and under-cabinet lighting. Kaye added: "The BHS range simply adds a design-led layer on top of all of that. Taken together, this is Forum bridging the gap between commercial availability and high-street design and giving wholesalers a genuine competitive edge in the process." The launch also reflects a wider opportunity for electrical contractors. As homeowners increasingly expect lighting to contribute to the overall interior design of a property, rather than simply provide illumination, installers are well placed to become more involved in decorative specification. Combining recognised consumer styling with products available through established trade channels could make it easier for contractors to offer customers a more complete lighting package. The BHS range by Forum is available to order now.  

Ellis unveils Centaur+ high-voltage cable cleating

Ellis Patents, a UK designer and manufacturer of safety-critical cable cleats and cable management solutions, is launching its new Centaur+ Saddle at the CIGRE Paris Session this month. Developed specifically for demanding high-voltage transmission applications, Centaur+ combines a curved 316L stainless steel saddle, designed for cable support and an over-strap offering short-circuit restraint. The saddle sits on a base which allows for movement in the vertical plane.  The result is a cable support solution designed to accommodate the practical requirements of sagged cable installations while providing the robust construction required for critical transmission infrastructure. Centaur+ represents the next development of Ellis' experience in high-voltage cable support, building on the established Centaur range and its use on major transmission infrastructure projects. One of the most significant examples is National Grid's London Power Tunnels project, where Ellis Centaur Cable Cleats and Centaur Intermediate Straps have been used to secure and protect high-voltage cables against short circuits. During Phase 1 of the project, 192 kilometres of 400kV cable and 30 kilometres of 132kV cable were installed within 32 kilometres of tunnels, using Ellis Centaur products to secure the cables. The relationship has continued into London Power Tunnels Phase 2 (LPT2). Taihan Cable & Solution Co., Ltd is responsible for the design, delivery, connection, construction and testing of a 400kV cable system for the project, again using Ellis Centaur Cable Cleats and Centaur Intermediate Straps. The continued use of Centaur on both phases demonstrates the trusted role of Ellis cable cleat technology in major, safety-critical transmission infrastructure. “Our involvement in London Power Tunnels demonstrated the performance and reliability that can be achieved with the Centaur system in a major 400kV transmission environment,” says Danny Macfarlane, Managing Director at Ellis Patents. “The continuation of Centaur into LPT2 is particularly significant because it reflects the confidence placed in the technology by the project team. Centaur+ takes that experience into a new design. We have focused on the practical challenges faced by engineers and installers working with large high-voltage cables, particularly where cable geometry and installation conditions require additional flexibility.” Centaur+ features a curved saddle designed specifically for sagged cable installations. The saddle and over-strap are manufactured from 316L stainless steel, with a galvanised steel pivot base and base fixings. Stainless steel options for the base and fixings are also available. Centaur+ has been short-circuit tested to IEC 61914, reflecting Ellis' focus on the mechanical and safety requirements associated with cable support systems in high-voltage applications. The system is available with saddle lengths of 600mm, with the current configurations covering cable diameters from 85mm to 152mm. Importantly, Centaur+ can also be adapted for specific project requirements, allowing Ellis to alter the design to meet particular load or functionality requirements. As electricity networks expand to accommodate increasing demand, renewable generation and new transmission infrastructure, the engineering requirements placed on high-voltage cable systems continue to evolve. For transmission system operators, system designers and installation contractors, the cable cleating system is an integral part of the overall installation design. Centaur+ has been developed to provide a solution for applications where cable geometry, installation conditions and project-specific requirements demand a robust yet adaptable cable support system. “CIGRE is the ideal environment in which to launch Centaur+,” adds Danny. “It brings together the transmission and power-system community from around the world and gives us the opportunity to demonstrate the product directly to the engineers, designers, cable manufacturers and transmission specialists who understand the challenges these projects present.” Ellis will showcase Centaur+ at CIGRE Paris from 23–28 August 2026, where visitors can meet the team and discuss the product's potential application on high-voltage transmission projects.

IONITY opens ultra-rapid charging EV site at London’s Greenwich Shopping Park

 IONITY has officially opened a new charging site at Greenwich Shopping Park, the first in a pipeline of ultra-rapid charging hubs the company is bringing to London. This marks the next phase of the company’s commitment to expanding high-power charging capacity across the capital and the UK beyond its established motorway network. To celebrate the launch, EV drivers can charge for free at the site on Friday 21 August 2026 using the IONITY App. Open to all electric vehicles, the new Greenwich site features 12 charging bays delivering up to 400 kW, providing convenient, high-power EV charging in minutes. Located on Bugsby’s Way, Greenwich Shopping Park sits at the heart of a busy retail destination, surrounded by supermarkets, high-street stores, cafés and restaurants.  Just minutes from The O2 and Greenwich Peninsula and close to the A206, the site is ideally positioned to serve local residents, visitors and high-mileage commercial drivers travelling across southeast London.   Jeroen van Tilburg, CEO at IONITY, says, "Our expansion goes beyond long-distance travel to enable reliable charging where demand is growing fastest: in urban areas. We must meet drivers where they need us, and in cities like London the next stage of electrification is now taking place. Growing numbers of drivers are choosing to make the switch to electric and it is vital that the supply of ultra-fast chargers is rapidly scaled up. We're bringing up to 400 kW into urban areas, giving drivers the speed and reliability they expect from IONITY, closer to where they live and work." The new hub also supports IONITY's partnership with Uber, combining reliable ultra-rapid charging with data-driven infrastructure planning to help accelerate urban electrification.  Ride-hailing drivers are among the earliest and most active adopters of electric vehicles in cities and typically drive significantly more miles per day and operate on tightly scheduled routines, making reliable, ultra-fast charging essential.  Through its partnership with Uber, IONITY offers attractive charging prices to Uber drivers and uses real-world utilisation data to help identify where future charging locations can have the most impact. In return, Uber's utilisation commitments provide the confidence needed to invest in new charging infrastructure where it will deliver the greatest benefit.  Together, these sites will help support Uber’s ambition to become a zero-emission platform by 2040, and London’s commitment to be net zero carbon by 2030.  To celebrate the launch, IONITY is inviting drivers to enjoy free charging for 24 hours at its new Greenwich site on Friday, 21 August 2026. The 'Free Friday' promotion can be accessed on the IONITY App.   The opening follows the launch of IONITY’s urban sites in Birmingham Aston in February 2026, with many more urban sites under development across London, Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow and Edinburgh. By 2030, around 30% of IONITY’s network is planned to be located in dense urban environments.