Openreach partners with Allstar to boost EV charging options

Network provider Openreach has partnered with payment solutions platform Allstar to help build a broader mix of electric vehicle (EV) charing options for its engineers Openreach operates more than 7,000 EVs across a fleet of more than 22,000 vehicles, but one in three of the company's engineers are unable to have an EV charger installed at home. As part of the new partnership, Allstar Homecharge will pay work-related home charging costs directly to drivers' energy suppliers, so engineers don't pay upfront or claim expenses. Elsewhere, Allstar and Openreach have focused public charging through fewer strategic charge point operators, while Allstar Co-Pilot helps engineers find approved charging locations. The partnership is also developing access to commercial and shared depot charging for engineers who need additional options during the working day. Through partners including First Charge and Voltempo, the aim is to give engineers access to infrastructure better suited to commercial vehicles, including larger bays, high-speed charging and bookable shared depot charging that they can pay for using existing EV charge cards, including Allstar Chargepass. Openreach engineers rely on vans to keep UK connected Tom Rowlands, Managing Director, Global EV Solutions at Corpay, including Allstar in the UK, says, "Electrifying a fleet of this scale isn't simply about putting more electric vehicles on the road. Drivers need charging that works around their jobs and for a nationwide engineering workforce there can't be an assumption that everyone can simply plug in at home. "That's why our work with Openreach looks across the charging mix. Home charging remains important where it's possible, but engineers also need reliable public charging and increasingly other options designed around working commercial vehicles. The strength of the partnership is that we can keep developing that mix as the fleet grows and the needs of its engineers evolve." Judy O’Keefe, Director of Fleet at Openreach, adds, “Our engineers rely on their vans every day to keep people and businesses connected. With more than 7,000 electric vans already on the road, and plans to move most of our fleet to zero emissions by 2031, we need charging to be simple and safe for our engineers. “There’s no single charging solution that works for everyone. That’s why we’ve invested in a flexible mix of home, public and depot charging, working with different partners to give our engineers the options they need. Allstar is helping us simplify how we manage and pay for it all." For more from Openreach, click here.

VCHRGD appoints Craig Summers as Head of Partnerships

British EV chargepoint manufacturer VCHRGD has appointed Craig Summers as its first Head of Partnerships as it looks to bolster its ties with its key sector partners Summers brings more than 20 years’ experience across the UK energy sector, including commercial and partnership roles at So Energy, OVO, SSE and British Gas. His background spans EV charging, energy tariffs and low-carbon technologies, with a focus on developing partnerships that deliver commercial and customer growth. At OVO, he helped scale its Charge Anytime proposition and charger portfolio, alongside driving across charger manufacturers and installation partnerships. His experience also includes growing So Energy’s EV charging proposition and working with Hive to develop its heat pump, solar and battery propositions within the wider British Gas group. At VCHRGD, Summers will strengthen existing partnerships with brands such as So Energy, Carwow Leasey, Omoda, Jaecoo and Frasers Plus, while building new relationships across the energy, automotive, fleet and leasing sectors, as well as electrical wholesalers and installers. The appointment follows a period in which VCHRGD reported 200% year-on-year growth, reached profitability and launched its direct-to-customer channel. The business is continuing to invest in people, connected charging technology, software and services. VCHRGD moves closer to key partners Phil McDermott, Executive Chair at VCHRGD, says, "Partnerships have been central to how we’ve built VCHRGD and will remain central to how we grow. Creating this role gives us dedicated leadership to support those relationships and develop new opportunities. "Craig understands both the energy and EV charging markets, and how to turn a partnership into something that works commercially and delivers for customers. That experience will be valuable as we help our partners make more of our charging technology and services." Summers adds, "What attracted me to VCHRGD was the combination of dependable charging technology, strong partner relationships and a clear ambition to keep improving the customer offer. "My priority is to understand what our partners want to achieve and where we can help. Whether that means making home charging easier to arrange, supporting installers or introducing Cashback, there are practical opportunities to build propositions that customers value and partners can grow with." For more from VCHRGD, click here.

UK Power Networks helps nine veterans secure energy sector jobs

Nine British Armed Services veterans have secured full-time roles in the energy sector after completing a work experience programme with UK Power Networks The distribution network provider took the leavers through a two-week work experience programme to give them an insight into the industry. In partnership with the British Forces resettlement Service (BFRS), the group was given insight into operational and office-based work as part of the firm’s tailored programme designed to help service leavers transition into civilian roles. The programme, which first ran in 2025, was rated an average of 9.73 out of 10 by participants and three of the nine candidates were offered full-time roles at the company, which also runs an armed forces community with over 100 members. Eight more service leavers have now followed in the footsteps of the initial cohort and gained experience in the electricity industry. Former Royal Air Force Regiment sergeant and now a linesperson at UK Power Networks, Stewart Mewse, says, “After 23 years in the military, the transition to civilian life felt daunting, but the support from UK Power Networks' team and military work experience programme gave me the confidence to take that next step. "They took the time to understand my background, explain how my skills could transfer into the energy sector and provide honest advice and encouragement throughout. The willingness of colleagues to share their knowledge and answer questions made the experience engaging and inspiring." UK Power Networks scheme praised as 'invaluable' Peterborough resident and former staff sergeant with the 1st Military Working Dogs Regiment, Gareth Instone, adds, “The whole experience has been invaluable for me as I move through my resettlement and look toward a future career. The exposure to operational sites, substations, safety practices and the people behind them has been eye opening and motivating. “Spending time with the substation fitters and linespeople on site, seeing their skills and professionalism first-hand, was a real highlight of the programme. They were open, patient and generous with their knowledge.” BFRS spokesperson Neil Dean praised the programme for providing "genuine value" to both the Armed Forces Community and employers. “They give individuals the confidence and understanding to make informed career decisions while giving organisations access to highly skilled, motivated people whose experience may not always be immediately apparent through a traditional recruitment process," he adds. For more from UK Power Networks, click here.

Exclusive: why getting project planning right from the outset matters

In an exclusive interview with ECN, Daniel McIntyre, Head of Projects at infrastructure and technology firm Remark Group, discusses how electrical project requirements are evolving and the importance of getting specification and planning correct from the outset Can you tell us a little about your career so far and what your role as Head of Projects at Remark Group involves? I began my career 20 years ago as an electrician’s mate with my father’s company. After completing my apprenticeship and working as a qualified electrician, I moved into office-based roles as Senior Estimator and then Procurement Manager. I joined Remark Group as Technical Account Manager before progressing to Head of Projects around 18 months later. My role involves overseeing projects from initial site surveys and electrical system design through to planning, procurement and delivery, ensuring they are completed safely, on time, within budget and to the highest standards. I also act as a qualified supervisor, signing off electrical certification. My practical and commercial experience gives me a broad perspective on successful project delivery. What does a typical project look like at Remark Group, and what do you enjoy most? With the diversity of our clients and services, no two projects are the same. Our work often includes core infrastructure, highways, mounting points, cabling and associated equipment, consisting of large-scale distribution equipment, steel wire armoured (SWA) cabling, steel containment and industrial switching equipment. The most rewarding part is seeing an electrical design become reality as our engineering teams bring plans to life on site. Delivering reliable, high-quality installations that meet client requirements and achieve customer satisfaction is what makes the job worthwhile. What are the biggest changes you’ve seen in electrical project requirements? The biggest change has probably been the amount of new technology we now have to accommodate. Electrical projects used to be relatively self-contained, whereas today we’re routinely considering EV charging, solar, battery storage, smart controls, intelligent lighting, networks and other connected systems. That puts much greater emphasis on getting the infrastructure right from the start. It’s not just about what a customer needs today, but what they might want to connect to that infrastructure in the future. I think that is changing the role of the electrical contractor as well. We need to understand the wider technology within a building, rather than looking at the electrical installation in isolation. Remark Group sets sights on closer industry collaboration What are the biggest challenges when delivering complex electrical installations, and how can teams overcome them? Clearly defined installation routes are often unavailable, requiring innovative approaches to containment, cable installation and area management. Integrating new designs with existing systems also requires careful assessment of protection settings and their wider impact to avoid disruption to customer facilities. Comprehensive, ongoing training ensures our teams have the technical knowledge, practical skills and management capabilities to overcome these challenges safely and efficiently. What does Remark Group’s Schneider Electric EcoXpert Power Distribution Partner status mean for customers? Becoming a Schneider Electric EcoXpert Power Distribution Partner means we can offer electrical contractors a specialist panel-building service, using Schneider’s PrismaSeT platform to deliver low-voltage switchboards up to 6300A. For contractors, that provides confidence in the quality and engineering behind the switchboard, but it also gives them another option when long panel lead times are putting pressure on project programmes. By developing our own panel-building capability, we can help contractors secure the switchgear they need within the timescales of their projects. We want to make that specialist capability readily accessible to the contracting market. Whether the driver is technical complexity, capacity or lead time, contractors can bring the switchboard element of a project to Remark Group and draw on our engineering and manufacturing expertise to support their delivery. Ultimately, we want Remark Group to be a reliable panel-building partner for the electrical contracting industry, combining the strength of Schneider Electric with responsive, specialist support from our own team. Fore more from Remark Group, click here.

Airzone joins £5.5m Ofgem cooling energy research project

HVAC design and installation firm Airzone has joined equiwatt to deliver CoolDown, a £5.5 million Ofgem-funded UK research project designed to manage cooling demand and enable smarter flexible energy system Working in partnership with climate technology company equiwatt, the initiative aims to better understand how increasing air conditioning usage could impact the UK electrical grid as temperatures continue to rise and electrification accelerates across heating and transport. The project, led by SP Electricity North West and National Grid, in collaboration with University College London and Guidehouse Europe, centres around demand-response events, where users voluntarily reduce or temporarily pause air conditioning usage during periods of high electricity demand, typically weekday evenings for one or two hours. CoolDown events are triggered when periods of peak electricity usage are forecast using factors such as weather conditions, renewable energy generation and expected electricity consumption to anticipate when the network could come under pressure. Customers signed up to the trial will then be notified via the equiwatt app and can choose to reduce their cooling usage by manually switching off their equipment. Airzone sees gradual increase in demand for air conditioning Through the new partnership, Airzone will introduce automated control through Airzone Cloud, which can intelligently respond to peak demand periods by adjusting cooling and automating energy-saving actions. CoolDown is conducting two UK-based summer trials: trial one was completed in September, having initially prioritised the Northwest region, before expanding in size and scope for trial two in 2027 with the integration of National Grid’s licence areas. Fernando de la Cruz Quintanilla, New Markets EMEA Director at Airzone, adds, “Demand for air conditioning in the UK has gradually increased in recent years until the hottest summer on record this year, when it dramatically skyrocketed to the point where demand overtook supply. "We therefore anticipate Brits to plan ahead for next year by installing AC in their home or business facilities. As temperatures continue to rise due to the ongoing climate crisis, growing demand for cooling will put increasing pressure on the electricity system during summer peaks. By using intelligent controls to manage when and how cooling systems operate, we can help reduce pressure on the network while keeping customers comfortable." Joanne Edwards, Chief Operating Officer at equiwatt, says, “Airzone has been a valuable partner in helping us reach households for the first government-funded CoolDown trial. There has been consistently high engagement from participants, with people receptive to the concept of flexible cooling and many keen to take part in return for rewards." For more from Airzone, click here.

Why winter call-outs can throw entire schedules off track

Richard Skelson, Managing Director at field service management software Field Ascend, on how emergency call-outs in the winter can disrupt planned maintenance, increase engineer travel times and lead to higher overtime costs if businesses fail to manage their schedules effectively When colder weather brings a rise in emergency call-outs, maintenance businesses can quickly find themselves juggling urgent repairs alongside appointments that have already been booked. Moving one engineer to deal with an emergency might seem straightforward, but it can leave other jobs uncovered, delay existing appointments and create additional overtime if the rest of the schedule isn't adjusted carefully. The mistake that could be driving up fuel costs One of the most common scheduling mistakes is assigning engineers based purely on who's available, without considering where they're working or whether they have the right skills for the job. Sending an engineer across a large service area when someone qualified is already nearby wastes time and fuel. During busy winter periods, these unnecessary journeys can quickly add to operating costs and reduce the number of jobs a business can complete Why treating every call-out as urgent can backfire When a business is dealing with a high volume of requests, there's a temptation to treat every new job as an emergency. However, this can make it harder to respond quickly to customers who genuinely need immediate assistance. Having a clear system for assessing urgency helps businesses decide which jobs need attention straight away and which can be scheduled around existing commitments. This prevents teams from constantly rearranging appointments unnecessarily. How maintenance firms can keep costs under control this winter Businesses should plan for unexpected call-outs by leaving some flexibility in engineer schedules, particularly during periods when demand is likely to increase. Allocating jobs based on location, qualifications and urgency can help reduce unnecessary travel, while keeping customers informed about appointment changes can prevent further disruption. The aim should be to handle emergencies without allowing them to derail the rest of the working day. For more on Field Ascend, click here.

Tickets selling fast as ECN Awards 2026 approaches

The countdown is on to the ECN Awards 2026, which will bring together some of the biggest names in the electrical contracting industry to celebrate the companies, products, projects and individuals making a difference across the sector Taking place on 3 December at the Heart of England Conference and Events Centre in Coventry, this year's awards will recognise excellence, innovation and achievement across a wide range of categories, highlighting the people and businesses helping to shape the future of the electrical industry.  Tickets for the evening are still available, but be quick, as they're selling fast. The awards span four key areas: Products, Projects, Training and Companies. Product categories include Cable/Cable Management, Circuit Protection, EV Charging, Fire Safety, HVAC, Lighting, Power (including Solar PV), Security, Software/App, Sustainability, Test Equipment, Trade Tools and Wiring Accessories Product of the Year. Meanwhile, the Projects categories will recognise outstanding work in EV charging, lighting and sustainability, while the Training awards will celebrate the next generation of electrical talent through Apprentice of the Year, alongside organisations making a difference through training provision and initiatives. The Company categories will recognise achievements across the supply chain, with awards for Chain Wholesaler/Distributor of the Year, Independent Wholesaler/Distributor of the Year, Manufacturer of the Year, and Contractor of the Year in both the under and over £5m turnover categories. ECN Awards gears up for another memorable evening Following an extensive judging process, an independent panel of industry experts has selected this year's finalists, with competition particularly strong across several categories. The awards provide an opportunity to recognise the commitment, expertise and innovation that continue to drive the electrical contracting industry forward. On the night, attendees will enjoy a three-course meal, a chance to network with the best and brightest in the industry and dance the night away with one of the UK's best ABBA tribute bands, ABBA Dream. With the finalists now confirmed, anticipation is building ahead of what promises to be another memorable evening celebrating the very best of the electrical industry. Congratulations to everyone who has made the shortlist, and best of luck to all those hoping to take home an ECN Award. For more on the ECN Awards, click here.

C-TEC's free CPD event hailed a 'huge success'

C-TEC's free CPD event "proved a huge success" with delegates from schools, colleges, councils and fire specialist companies who gathered at the life safety systems manufacturer's Wigan facility on Wednesday (4 November) Worth four hours of CPD points, the event covered lockdown procedures, low-cost fire system upgrades and Equality Act compliance through three seminars: •     An overview of Martyn’s Law (The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025): What you need to know, the solutions available and how to comply. •     Equality and Accessibility legislation in the UK, the solutions available and how to ensure you comply. •     How to upgrade an old fire system to a state-of-the-art addressable system capable of lockdown functionality, internet connectivity, powerful false alarm reduction and more. The day ran from 10am to 4pm with registration starting at 9.30am. As well as the seminars, delegates enjoyed lunch and a tour of our state-of-the-art manufacturing facility. The day ended with a Q&A session with C-TEC’s MD and standards expert, Andrew Foster. Factory tour 'a real highlight', says C-TEC marketing lead Said Andy Green, C-TEC’s Marketing Director, says; “We were delighted with the response to our Education Day. Feedback from delegates has been excellent. "Many told us they came away with a much clearer understanding of the legislation and practical, cost-effective ways to comply. The factory tour and Andrew’s Q&A session were real highlights. Given the level of interest, we will definitely be running more events like this in the future.”  For more from C-TEC, click here.

ESR launches plug-in solar safety guidance for consumers

The Electrical Safety Roundtable (ESR) has published new guidance to help consumers make informed decisions when purchasing plug-in solar devices With plug-in solar devices becoming an option for households looking to generate renewable energy and reduce electricity bills, the ESR is warning that consumers need to consider more than simply buying a product from a supermarket, DIY store or online retailer. The guidance outlines the steps needed to ensure devices are compliant, suitable for the property and installed safely. Compliant plug-in solar devices should meet the Plug-in Solar Device Interim Product Specification and be clearly labelled with a statement confirming compliance. Product labelling should also identify the manufacturer, model or serial number, voltage, frequency, current, rated power, IP rating and protection class. The ESR advises consumers to purchase devices from reputable suppliers, follow the manufacturer's instructions and never modify any supplied components, including plugs, cables, inverters, panels and connectors. Where possible, devices should be connected to a suitably located and protected external socket-outlet nearby. Cables should never be trapped in doors or windows, as this can cause damage, while poorly routed or secured wiring can create trip hazards. Before purchasing a device, consumers are strongly advised to arrange for a qualified and competent electrician to carry out the necessary checks on their electrical installation. ESR supports renewable energy innovation The ESR also recommends contacting insurers before buying a system. Those living in flats or apartments may need approval from the building owner, while tenants should seek permission from their landlord. Managing agents, planning authorities and other relevant parties may also need to be informed. Following installation, the Distribution Network Operator (DNO) must be notified within 28 days. Instructions supplied with a compliant system should explain how to complete this process. The ESR says the guidance is intended to support not only consumers but also organisations and professionals helping people consider plug-in solar. Letting agents and landlords can share the resource with tenants and residents to explain the permissions and safety checks that may be required. Organisations can use it to raise awareness and direct consumers towards consistent information, while electricians can share it with potential customers to highlight the importance of professional electrical checks before installation. Nick Hayler, Chair of the Electrical Safety in the Home group, says, “We support innovation that can help households embrace renewable energy and reduce their bills, but it has to be done safely. Consumers should follow the guidance and use a competent and qualified person to help ensure their plug-in solar device is suitable and installed correctly.” For more from ESR, click here.

The paperwork mistake which could cost contractors thousands

With late payments estimated to cost the UK economy £11 billion annually, electrical contractors are being warned that cash-flow problems could start long before customers receive an invoice According to Richard Skelson, Managing Director at field service management software Field Ascend, missing job sheets, delayed engineer sign-offs and incomplete paperwork can leave completed work unbilled for days or even weeks. "When an engineer finishes a job, it's easy to assume the business is one step closer to getting paid. However, missing job sheets, unsigned paperwork or incomplete reports can leave completed work sitting in the system without an invoice ever being raised," he says. "For smaller trades businesses, even a few days of delay can put pressure on cash flow, particularly when wages, materials and fuel still need to be paid for. The problem with administrative delays is that they often go unnoticed until someone starts chasing an outstanding payment or reviewing the accounts." Skelson warns that if several engineers are completing multiple jobs each day, missing paperwork can quickly build up and businesses may have thousands of pounds' worth of completed work waiting to be invoiced without realising how much money is tied up in the process. Contractors advised to get head start on job reports "Relying on paper job sheets or engineers returning to the office to submit reports creates unnecessary delays, especially when teams are travelling between different customer sites," he continues. "When information is missing, office staff have to spend time contacting engineers, checking job details and requesting signatures before they can issue an invoice. That additional work can slow down the entire payment process." Skelson advises that one of the simplest changes businesses can make is requiring engineers to complete job reports and collect customer signatures before leaving the site. "Having job information available to the office as soon as work is finished makes it easier to raise invoices promptly. A daily review of completed but uninvoiced jobs can also help identify delays before they turn into bigger cash-flow problems," he says. For more from Field Ascend, click here.