Former ECA President, Alan James Thompson, has passed away at the age of 85.
Alan was born in 1940 to Ernest Edward and Charlotte Margaret Thompson. He had one sister, Margaret.
He leaves behind his beloved wife Renee, his daughter Jane, son Stuart, seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Growing up in Preston, Alan developed a passion for electrical work early on by helping his father, Ernie, who founded EE Thompson & Son Ltd in 1946.
Alan began working at age 15 with a local electrical contractor to learn the trade. Alan wanted to spread his wings and see the world and so joined the Merchant Services as an electrician. His seafaring career took him all over the world over a span of 12 years, eventually rising to become Chief Electrical Officer for several prestigious shipping lines.
During this time, Alan became a father to Jane, and with Ernie’s health declining, he returned home to help run the family business and raise his family. His son Stuart was born in 1973, by which point Alan had taken over the day-to-day running of the business.
Alan was passionate about professionalising the business and building on the strong foundations laid by his father. He focused on quality workmanship, appearance, and training – values shaped during his time at sea. Apprentices were famously expected to polish their boots before work, a nod to the discipline he valued.
He was an early adopter of formal standards, implementing and achieving certification to BS 5750 (now ISO9001) in the early 1990s, making EE Thompson & Son one of the smallest firms to achieve such a standard at the time.
In 1992, the business won the Electrical Review’s ‘Electrical Contractor of the Year Award’. This success was driven by Alan’s vision and commitment to quality.
The Company joined ECA in 1975 and Alan immersed himself in the association at every level. He served as Preston Branch Chair, and was North West REC Chair between 1991 and 1993 before ultimately becoming ECA President in 1996. This was a highlight of his professional life.
Alan was a passionate advocate for apprenticeships and championed the partnership between the ECA and JTL, aiming to set a benchmark for the industry. He also worked closely with the JIB giving a voice for smaller companies, serving on the North West Regional JIB for many years..
His presidential year was demanding but incredibly fulfilling. He and Renee travelled extensively; on one occasion Renee remembers being away from home for 11 weekends in a row. Alan thrived in these roles – speaking at events, building relationships, and representing the ECA with pride and enthusiasm. Though small in stature at 5’5”, Alan often joked that being ECA President made him feel 10 feet tall such was his pride in representing the Association.
Since stepping away from the business Alan has enjoyed golfing with his friends at Fairhaven Golf Club and in typical Alan fashion he was always determined to be better each time he played. He and Renee have also enjoyed travelling to new and revisiting parts of the world he had enjoyed earlier in life.
He was a regular supporter of Preston North End and enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren.
We are thinking of Alan's family and friends during this time.
Last updated 22 April 25