10 minutes with Martin Bailey, President of EuropeOn

A long-standing and leading name in our industry, ECA past President Martin Bailey was recently elected President of the European electrical contractors’ association, EuropeOn. ECAtoday talked to Martin about his new European role… 

How did you come to join EuropeOn?

My time with EuropeOn started in 2016, when I joined what was then the AIE on its management board. Between then and 2018 I became Vice President and helped to restructure the association, which culminated in a successful rebranding to EuropeOn in 2019.  

Even with Brexit, European product and other standards continue to vital to the UK marketplace

Since then, I have helped to reactivate the organisation’s Value Chain Working Group, which is articulating the value and opportunity presented by our sector, across Europe, for example on net zero carbon.  

How would you explain EuropeOn to those who are unfamiliar with it?

EuropeOn influences European policy for the benefit of contractors and installers. It’s also an excellent forum for sharing views, ideas and good and best practice, along with key industry data with our national counterparts.  

EuropeOn’s working groups cover the following areas:

• Policy

• Technical

• BIM

• Value chain

• Skills

Even with Brexit, European product and other standards continue to vital to the UK marketplace. This means we must stay properly connected to the European industry and policy developments. 

In the last few years, EuropeOn has become a leading representative of European electrical contracting, closely engaging with the EU agenda and policymakers. I’d like to help it to become a beacon for all European electrical professionals, and their national associations. 

Many of our working groups are about people getting together, sharing ideas with other associations and bringing new ideas to the table

What are your top priorities for 2022?

EuropeOn is extremely active, but I’d summarise our top three priorities as:

Net Zero and #Skills4Climate: we recently wrote to EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen suggesting actions that would support Member States in achieving Net Zero Carbon. That includes upskilling the electrical workforce to install EV charging, heat pumps, solar panels and other infrastructure that can make Net Zero Carbon a reality.

Electrification: Electricity is set to take over from fossil fuels in response to Europe’s climate and political objectives. There are potentially huge advantages to keeping up to date with developing technologies and looking for new service opportunities.

Finally, I have already mentioned the Value Chain: electrical contractors are the essential link between end-users and distributors, manufacturers and construction professionals. Our expert Value Chain Group will be discussing the considerable opportunities and challenges. Working together will help to deliver solutions for ourselves, our clients and other customers. 

Visit www.europe-on.org for more information.