Scolmore is delighted to announce the appointment of Darren Staniforth, one of the electrical industry’s leading technical experts, to the newly created role of Head of Technical Engagement for the Scolmore group of companies.
With nearly 30 years’ experience in the industry, Darren has amassed a wealth of technical knowledge and expertise which he will be utilising in his new position, where he will primarily be responsible for engaging with professional contractors and electricians to advise and educate them on the right solutions and products to meet the ever changing regulations and technical requirements of the industry. He will also play a key role in the company’s new product development programme, helping to shape solutions for the end user that will drive growth across the group’s product categories – Click wiring accessories, Ovia lighting, ESP security and fire protection and Sangamo time switches and heating controls.
Having started out as an electrical apprentice, working across a number of domestic, commercial and industrial projects, Darren moved to Bedford College to complete his higher education and where he qualified as a lecturer. This was followed by a role as Qualified Supervisor and Contracts Manager, with one of the UK’s largest domestic new home electrical contractors, looking after teams of around 65 engineers and installers. He joins Scolmore following his 14 year tenure with the NICEIC as group senior technical presenter.
His appointment will further enhance Scolmore Group’s marketing and training offer. Comments Marie Parry, group marketing director for Scolmore Group: “I have been fortunate to have known and worked with Darren for the last 12 years through our collaborative involvement in various NICEIC initiatives including tech talks, ELEX shows, and of course the electrical apprentice of the year competition.
“For Scolmore, contractor engagement has a vital role to play in helping us to gain constructive insight into how contractors like to work, the issues they face and what they need to help them do their work in the most time-efficient and cost-effective way. It is valuable feedback from contractors working on the job and often in challenging environments that helps to drive the new product development programme. With Darren’s technical expertise and vast experience working with contractors over the years, he has all the right skills for this new position. As a business we are very excited to have the opportunity to harness his technical expertise and skills as we continue to develop our product ranges and engage with the professionals using them.”
Commenting on his new role with Scolmore, Darren said: “I’ve been lucky enough to have worked with the group on a number of leading initiatives over many years, so I’m pleased to be joining a rapidly growing organisation such as the Scolmore Group. I’m excited that this new role will use all of my skills to make sure Scolmore’s customers are well informed and have everything they need to make installations safer and add value for the end user. I see education as the silver bullet to making this industry better, as do Scolmore, so it was a natural fit when we started to talk about the future. I’m very keen to get started on some big projects that Scolmore’s customers will benefit from.”