ECA conference: Littler is new ECA president

Allan Littler has taken office as the new ECA president for 2008-09. He will be backed by a presidential team of Martin Bailey of N G Bailey (senior vice president), Diane Johnson of Eric Johnson (vice president) and Bob Hall (immediate past president). All took their posts at the ECA conference in Marbella.

Allan started his career as a craft apprentice with the Merseyside and North Wales Electricity Board (Manweb) in 1965 and is currently chairman of Amalgamated in Manchester.

He gained a Higher National Diploma in electricals and electronics at St Helens Polytechnic and a Diploma in management studies at John Moore University, Liverpool.

At MANWEB, Allan progressed to senior management level and was appointed managing director of Manweb Contracting Services in 1990.

After the firm's acquisition by Scottish Power in 1995, he joined the Manweb executive committee, becoming regional director for contracting in England and Wales.

Following a restructure in 1998, he took on the role of marketing and property director, with a combined annual turnover of £70 million and an impressive profit level of £6 million.

In 2000, after 35 years’ service, Allan took early retirement. He became chairman of Amalgamated in 2001. Since then he has worked closely with the owner and managing director Geoff Teader.

In addition, Allan and his immediate family have set up and subsequently ran business interests outside the electrical industry, including a general store; a video company for weddings; a management services consultancy; and a children’s play centre.

Allan joined the ECA in 1992, becoming chairman of the Liverpool and District branch in 1994 and North West regional chairman in 1998.

Working closely with regional manager Tony Cooke, Allan has helped to increase membership and has set up two thriving sub-branches in the Isle of Man and North Wales.

He is a Fellow of the Institution of Engineering and Technology and a member of the Chartered Management Institute.

Allan and his wife Christine have been married for 37 years and have a married daughter Lindsey, son-in-law Dan and two grandchildren.