Published:
26 July 2013
Category:
News
Have you ever wondered what the industry's influential figures have on their desks? From a submarine piston to a mini-me figurine, find out more about the ECA's Head of Energy Solutions by exploring what is on his desktop.
Born and Raised: Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire
Education:
- Apprentice in Engineering - Ministry of Defence, Royal Ordnance Factory Bridgwater
- Engineering Degree – Trinity Hall, Cambridge University
Employment History:
Secondment from MOD to CEGB and Electricity Council Research Centre at Capenhurst
MOD – Electrical Engineer at the National Gas Turbine Establishment (NGTE) installing and testing engines for the Navy and Air Force
Waitrose - Engineering Manager, Distribution
John Lewis Group:
- Chief Electrical Engineer
- Corporate Energy and Environment Manager
Independent Consultancy
ECA – Head of Energy Solutions (present)
JPEL Committee – Panel Member (present)
International Energy Working Group (IEWG) – UK Chairman (present)
Worshipful Company of Lightmongers – Master (present)
Future Goals for the Company:
To continue to promote renewable energy and energy efficiency to electrical contractors as a major growth area. “With government initiatives and low carbon policies, this is a good position for electrical contractors to be in,” said Bill.
Future Goals for the Industry:
“To embrace new technology and to remove any fear – we need to see it as an opportunity for contractors,” said Bill.
Favourite Movie:
Withnail & I – Bruce Robinson. (Bill’s wife’s ancestors lived in Sleddale Hall used in the film)
Favourite Song:
Always Look on the Bright Side of Life – Eric Idle
Morning Ritual:
Bill kicks off each morning with a breakfast of mixed cereal (a combination of Shreddies and Crunchy Nut) and then dashes off for the train.
1. Slide Rule: Bill still keeps his old slide rule on his desk, which was used back in his engineering days. “I used it an awful lot back then,” he said.
2. Mug: Bill uses a mug from his hometown, Cleethorpes, for his coffee. He drinks his cuppa white with no sugar.
3. Sterling Engine Model: This small external heat engine was made from a kit and spins around when placed on the mug of a hot beverage.
4. Energy Solutions Area on the ECA Website: ECA Members can subscribe to this area for free. Here you can find Q&A’s, news, discussions and an information forum.
5. Mini-Me: Bill is a NED of the Shanghai NQA Certification Company (SNQA) due to his role as an ESC trustee which owns SNQA through its trading subsidiary. When he was unable to attend a dinner held by the organisation, they created a mini-me “Bill Wright” figurine and sat it at the table. Bill was then sent the figurine post-event as a gift.
6. Family Photograph: This photo was taken when Bill’s elder son, William, had qualified as a 3rd Officer in the Merchant Navy. Also in the photo are Bill, his wife Stephanie and his younger son, Nicholas.
7. London Southbank University Pass: Bill used to lecture part-time on renewable technology. “I enjoyed it, but it was hard work and appalling pay,” said Bill.
8. Amateur Radio: Bill builds radios and is a Radio Amateur. This is part of the receiver of one of his radios. His call sign is “G4BNK”.
9. Model Truck: This was given to Bill as a memento from a company he was working with, whilst he was working at John Lewis. It has his name on the side.
10. Model Green Tuk Tuk: “My wife and I are great travellers,” said Bill. They spent 3 weeks touring India with friends and encountered plenty of tuk tuks along their journey. Bill bought this as a souvenir to remind him of this exciting trip.
11. 17th Edition of the Wiring Regulations: Bill is on the JPEL committee, which helps produce the Wiring Regulations. He refers to it often when people come to him with a problem.
12. ECA Today: This magazine is for ECA Members and is filled with industry news and features. Bill often writes articles for the publication.
13. Summer Banquet Programme for Worshipful Company of Lightmongers: This programme is from the recent white tie banquet at Mansion House, which had the two Sheriffs of London and a future Lord Mayor as guests. The event was particularly special for Bill because he had recently been installed as Master of the Worshipful Company of Lightmongers, a City of London Livery Company.
14. Blackberry: Bill’s wife refers to this device as his “crackberry” as he is addicted to using it.
15. Sailing Trophy: Bill won this sailing off the Isle of Wight. He has a Skipper Certificate and tries to sail whenever he has a chance to.
16. Piston: This heavy object (now used as a bookend) is from an old diesel engine from a submarine, which Bill used to work on early in his career. The NGTE gave this to Bill when he left the MOD to work for Waitrose. “They couldn’t believe I was actually going to work at a grocer,” said Bill.