SELECT, the trade association for the electrotechnical industry in Scotland, has appointed Donald W Orr as its new president.
Orr’s appointment was made at SELECT’s annual general meeting on September 4, which was held online via Zoom for the first time due to restrictions imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The appointment of Orr comes at an important time for SELECT, which has been providing support to its members in the face of the unprecedented disruption caused by the ongoing pandemic. This support includes supplying laptops to apprentices to help with remote learning, as well as forming a key part of the Construction Industry Coronavirus (CICV) Forum.
Donald W Orr is the current managing director of Unitech Services Ltd in Carluke, Lanarkshire, and has been a long-standing SELECT member. He is already familiar with the inner-workings of the organisation, having served on a number of committees and representing the association externally.
In a statement welcoming his appointment, Orr noted, “It is a great honour to be elected as the new President of SELECT, and I am privileged to follow in the footsteps of my distinguished colleagues.
“We are all living and working in unprecedented times, but SELECT has risen to the challenge over the past six months and through its work to assist Members and the wider construction sector, it has led the way in industry cooperation, collaboration and commitment.
“I look forward to continuing the association’s excellent work and helping SELECT and its members successfully navigate the many challenges that lie ahead.”
End of an era
Orr’s appointment as SELECT president means he replaces Kevin Griffin, who has been in the position for three years. Griffin won’t be leaving the organisation, however, taking up the role of immediate past-president, replacing Eric Rae.
Griffin commented, “My time as President of SELECT has been eventful to say the least, but throughout it has been a privilege and a pleasure to hold the position.
“I wish Donald all the very best in his new role and I know he will help the association to grow and develop further. I feel that I leave SELECT in good shape, bearing in mind the ground-shaking developments of the past year in particular.”
SELECT’s new vice president
In addition to a new immediate past-president and new president, SELECT has also appointed a new vice president. Alistair Grant, who is based in Elgin and is the current chair of SELECT’s Inverness and North of Scotland branch, will take up the mantle as vice president of the association.
Some 30 members and staff attended the virtual meeting to welcome the new president and vice president. The AGM also featured a technical presentation on EICR coding by SELECT’s director of technical services, Dave Forrester. The association also produced an online annual report instead of the usual printed version.
Alan Wilson, SELECT managing director, concluded, “I am delighted to welcome Donald and Alistair to their new roles and know they bring invaluable experience and input.
“There are plenty of challenges ahead for all of us, but with the new presidential team now in place, SELECT will continue to be there to help our members in any way we can.”