SR Electrical Services Ltd: A family-run business prioritising safety and competency

Since 2001, family-run SR Electrical Services Ltd (SR Electrical) has provided its hazardous area electrical contractor services across the UK and Channel Islands to clients spanning a variety of industries, including oil and petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals and solvents and chemical stores.

With the experience of three generations of the Rugg family embedded in the company, SR Electrical continues to harness its heritage alongside deploying the latest in technology and equipment tailored for servicing hazardous environments.

We spoke with Chris Rugg, Lead Engineering Director at the family business, on how the company prioritises training for all levels of its team, and the positive effect this has on both business and personal development.

Continual professional development

Underpinning everything, is the company’s commitment to continuous competency and safety for employees working in hazardous environments, Chris explains. “Regular training and compliance with health and safety standards is critical for everyone working in the industries SR Electrical and its clients operate in. This is why we are proud to work closely with CompEx to ensure our staff undertake regular and comprehensive, industry-leading safety and competency certifications.”

Ever since being introduced to CompEx and its wide range of qualifications around 19 years ago, SR Electrical has put all ‘on the tools’ staff through CompEx’s Foundation course, as well as regular ‘top-up’ training through the CompEx Knowledge Hub every one-two months.

Chris says: “We’ve never had a negative comment or feedback from our staff about doing CompEx training – actually, our people are normally pleased to learn new things from the courses. We find our staff tend to ask more questions after they’ve done their initial training. The course makes them more aware and inquisitive of their surroundings.”

SR Electrical has supported approximately 30 apprentices over the years, with Chris explaining that the company has been fortunate to enjoy a steady stream of applicant apprentices. “We usually take on two per year, but in 2024 we had three come on board. We find that when apprentices take on CompEx certifications, the process acts as both a professional and personal growth goal.

“As our company is so specialised but yet so varied in the activities we undertake for clients, whether it is hazardous area electrical services, planned preventative maintenance, tank gauging or safe area electrical services, our apprentices are exposed to a lot of learning opportunities. As a result, apprentices, and in fact the whole team, are always keen to complete their CompEx training to aid in their continual professional development to make sure they are ready for any situation or environment.”

Positive and proactive relationships

Chris believes that continued investment and commitment to developing the highest level of competency and training is crucial to addressing existing and potential industry skills gaps. “To operate safely and efficiently during this time of energy transition, the supply chain must be adept and ready to tackle the challenges of today. As such, training bodies must move with the times.

“And CompEx hasn’t stayed stagnant – the certifications, qualifications and services it delivers aren’t what was offered 20 years ago. Developing courses which will help the workforce operate safely in energy transition industries, like hydrogen, is a great example of CompEx’s forward-facing outlook.”

Being a family-run business, Chris and the wider team understand how important positive relationships and trust are to successful operations and appreciate CompEx’s approach to customer service. “CompEx is one of the few companies you can email or actually pick the phone to, and one of their team will get back to you. The team are always willing and interested to help.

“We enjoy working collaboratively with the CompEx team and look forward to continuing our relationship for many more years to come.”

Interested in learning more about the services SR Electrical provides? Visit https://www.srelectrical.com