Have you ever wondered what the industry's influential figures have on their desk? From retro Walsall football programmes to an ECA Training Fund booklet, you can tell a lot about a person by their desk.
Born and raised in Walsall, West Midlands, Steve started his career in the building services industry right from the get-go. Once out of school, he was snapped up by British Gas as an apprentice, where they invested heavily in Steve’s career development, leading to him qualifying as a building services engineer After leaving British Gas Steve took on a Sales and Marketing role for manufacturer Honeywell, where he worked on large scale contracts. After three years at Honeywell, Steve joined CORGI, which at the time was just being set up as a national body. Here Steve worked as a Senior Inspector and managed a team covering the South East region of England. He then went on to work his way up the ladder in various other roles within CORGI, including Group Commercial Director and Managing Director of CORGI Services. Steve then accepted the role of Group Business Development Director at Magna Housing Group where he was also Managing Director of two companies within Magna – Charter Homes and Affordable Homes UK Ltd. Steve was also Chairman of Pavillion Housing Ltd., a company specialising in building student accommodation. It was in 2007 Steve joined forces with the ECA, first as Chief Operating Officer and then becoming Deputy Chief Executive in 2009. In October of 2010, Steve was appointed to his current role of Group Chief Executive. In this new role, Steve is responsible for ensuring that the Trade Association delivers value for its Members and also for ensuring the success of the commercial activities within the group. “Fundamentally, we exist to help our members be successful businesses,” said Steve. “This currently includes not only helping them to survive the recession, but also helping them to make the most of growth opportunities such as those offered by the green agenda”.
1. DTI’s Who’s Who of Britain’s Business Elite: A yearly business reference book that recognises business people of outstanding achievement. Steve and his company were in this 2002 edition and again in the 2003 edition.
2. New Zealand Guidebook: Steve has travelled extensively and particularly likes New Zealand where he took up residency. He hopes to go back “once the children have left the nest”.
3. Metallic Model Crane: This gift was given to Steve when he left Magna to remind him of being involved in house building.
4. Electrical Meter: This industry tool was used by Steve during his engineering days. “It reminds me that I am here representing engineering businesses and serving their needs,” said Steve.
5. IOD Certificate: Steve is a Chartered Director and fellow of the Institute of Directors. Just like ECA, the IoD offer some excellent business support services, so Steve keeps his membership booklet “always on hand”.
6. Retro Walsall FC Programme: “I am sadly still a Walsall supporter,” said Steve. “My sons ask who they are…and if they play Manchester United.” The programme is from 1978 and features Steve on the front cover. As he had not kept a copy Steve was delighted to receive this one as a gift from a client who managed to retrieve one from his Father.
7. ECA Mug: Steve is never far from a cup of tea. “I think it’s my background as an engineer,” said Steve. “Although that being said, I mostly drink green tea and Darjeeling these days.”
8. Golf Handicap Certificate: “Being at the ECA you must play golf, therefore I keep my handicap certificate on hand” said Steve. “However, I need to buy new clubs – they are older than my children”
9. Dialogue and the Art of Thinking Together: This management and consultancy book by William Isaacs has provided Steve with some valuable words of business-related wisdom. He was previously involved in management consultancy and believes that “If you can improve the quality of relationships and communication in a business, you will improve performance.”
10. The Soul of a Butterfly: Steve has found inspiration in this Muhammad Ali biography. Raised in a sporty family, he understands and values the importance of sport and the discipline involved. Steve’s grandfather played football for England and his father was a Golden Gloves finalist.
11. Customer Focus: As its name suggests, this book focuses on customer needs, something that Steve believes is crucial in business. “I like to try to keep business simple,” said Steve. “At its heart it is about understanding what the customer wants and then focussing attention and resources on delivering it.”
12. ECA Corporate Plan 2011-2013: This important business document was collectively developed with ECA staff and members and will guide the organisation in the coming years.
13. ECA Website: Found at www.eca.co.uk, here you can learn more about the ECA, including membership, news and upcoming events.
14. Photograph of Steve and His Wife: This picture of Steve and his wife, Debra, was taken at an ECA Dinner.
15. Football Trophy: Won in 1999-2000, Steve describes the trophy as “a reminder of my fast fading sporting abilities”.
16. Photograph of Children: Steve has three young children, daughter Charlotte and twin boys Joshua and Ben. His dad duties include spending most weekends running them from one activity to another, such as football, horse riding and brownies. “It’s nice to see them take up the mantle now thatmy sports days have ended,” Said Steve.
17. Drumsticks: Steve plays the drums…”quite badly”. He likes tapping away with them and describes his drums as “a great source of stress release.”
18. Railway Arm Band: This collector’s item was given to former ECA Group Chief Executive, David Pollock, and has now been passed on to Steve. Worn by a work supervisor during the blitz, the enamelled and leather strapped mid-20th century arm bank reads “Person I.C. Work”.
19. Spanish CDs: Steve does a lot of driving with his job and has turned his commuting into an opportunity to learn Spanish.
20. Why you should choose an ECA Electrical Contractor: When choosing an electrical contractor, businesses and consumers can not afford to take risks. This document discusses the advantages of employing an ECA Electrical Contractor, including having work guaranteed by the ECA.
21. Guide to ECA Membership Certification Scheme: This new initiative includes a risk rating to determine inspection frequency and is an industry first. The purpose of the Scheme is to ensure all Registered Members carry out safe electrical work, installed to industry standards and best practice. This guide is to help companies applying for membership prepare for the Initial Assessment.
22. The ECA Training Fund Document: Encouraging ECA Members to invest in training, the £10million fund offers financial support to member firms to encourage them to invest in their future success. This booklet discusses the fund and the fantastic training opportunities available through it.
23. ECA Client Associate Scheme Document: The Scheme brings together industry organisations to form “partners in excellence” and to work together to understand and resolve electrical issues.