“It’s About Putting Something Back”: Steve Vaslet’s Story with The South West Committee
Steve Vaslet has tirelessly championed the Electrical Industries Charity for 12 years as Chair of the South West Regional Committee. Having seen the Charity and the industry change so much, Steve spoke to us about the highlights, his hopes for the future, and his advice for others looking to get involved.
Steve was introduced to the Electrical Industries Charity when he was invited to a regional ball. Looking back, he says his first reaction was one of surprise, coupled with a sense of missed opportunity, as he wished he had discovered the charity and its work much sooner.
That discovery lit a spark in Steve, leading to a mission to ensure no one else in the industry went as long as he did without knowing about the support available to them.
Steve’s involvement with the South West Committee grew in 2014, when the President of the then Gloucestershire Committee retired. Steve saw it as an opportunity to become more involved with the Charity, as well as to make new connections in the South West.
“I was new to the South West,” Steve explains. “I was asked if I wanted to be President, and with a little bit of research, it seemed like something I could help with.”
What stood out most to Steve about the Charity was the range of support available.
“What impresses me is, on one hand, the range of support that’s available, and the relative ease with which people can start to engage with it,” Steve says.
Steve also values the tailored support that the EIC offers to its beneficiaries, as well as the fact that the Charity is able to return £0.91 for every £1 donated, thanks to key partnerships.
Seeing the Impact
The most rewarding part of Steve’s work with the EIC is seeing first-hand the impact it has on people in the industry, as well as watching the Committee’s fundraising events grow each year.
“It’s very rewarding seeing the good that the charity does and seeing people benefit from it,” Steve says. “I’ve known one person personally who had a terminal illness and was supported by the charity, and I’ve heard how much that was appreciated by the family.”
Another hugely rewarding aspect of his work on the Committee has been witnessing the success of its regional events.
“To see 50 to 100 golfers enjoying themselves in the sunshine, or 200 people in a room at a ball all having a great time, and knowing that we, as a committee, made that happen, there’s a real buzz that comes with that,” Steve says proudly.
Uniting an Industry
Steve says the biggest challenge the South West Committee is currently tackling is engaging everyone across the industry.
“Previously, there was a lot of engagement with the EEIBA,” Steve explains. “The committee was very generation-oriented, so our challenge is to be more broad-based—less focused on generation and more on wholesale, contracting and manufacturing. Not only does this give us contacts across different sectors, but it also helps us understand the challenges each one faces.”
Looking to the future, Steve says it is vital that the Charity continues to evolve alongside new industry challenges.
“I think it’s important that the Charity remains flexible. I hope it continues to analyse cases and understand where the risks lie in our industry. It can be quite hard to predict what problems people will face in the future, so maintaining that agility is key,” he says.
Events to Look Forward To
Steve looks forward to a number of events hosted by the South West Committee each year—some well-established and others new and exciting.
“We’ve been running a golf event since the beginning of time,” Steve laughs.
“It’s held in Cheltenham on 18 June. The golf club makes us feel really welcome—they roll out the red carpet for us—and we have some great sponsors,” he continues.
“We have a great day. We’ve been developing the package so that you don’t have to be a keen or experienced golfer to take part. We offer lessons with a pro and other activities to give the event wider appeal,” he says.
Steve is also looking forward to the South West Autumn Dinner on 16 October. He hopes the event will attract more people from across the industry and expand the Charity’s presence further across the South West.
“This year, we’ll be hosting a dinner in Exeter,” Steve says.
“With the support of some new committee members from the wholesale and contracting side of the industry, we’re hopeful the dinner will be a success. It’s a new challenge for us, but there’s a lot of enthusiasm among the committee to make it a great evening.”
Proud Moments and Opportunities
Looking back, Steve says he is particularly proud of the first ball he hosted as President of the Committee.
“A proud moment for me was my first ball—standing up in a room of 200 people and not being able to achieve silence or stop the conversations at the tables,” Steve laughs. “That became a bit of a running theme each year—excitable, unfazed crowds.
He also looks back fondly on attending the powerBall with his wife, Jane.
“powerBall was a fun and eye-opening evening,” Steve recalls. “It really showed the scale of the industry, the people within it, and the power we have to look after our own.”
Steve attributes the success of the events to the hard work of the South West Committee.
“We have a fantastic committee here in the South West who work hard to make these events bigger and better every year,” he says.
Steve adds that there are always opportunities to get involved in one way or another. For example, this year he and his wife will be taking part in the Snowdon by Night Challenge.
“We can’t wait to take part in the nighttime walk up Snowdon in May,” he says. “It’s another unique way to get involved with the Charity and raise money.”
Getting Involved
For anyone considering getting involved with the EIC, Steve says it’s an opportunity to give something back.
“For me, it’s about putting something back,” says Steve.
“I’ve worked in the industry for 41 years—it’s looked after me. I’ve had a good and enjoyable career, and this is my chance to give something back and support those who are less fortunate.”
“It’s a challenging world out there. There’s a cost of living crisis, rising expenses, and a lot of time spent working away from home. There are many opportunities for unforeseen issues. As an industry, we need to look after our people. While there are many charities out there, it’s important to take an industry-focused approach and create a safety net for our own people. Being part of the EIC gives you the chance to contribute to that,” he says.
“The charity itself is made up of genuinely kind, fun-loving people, which makes being involved a really enjoyable experience,” Steve adds.
Our Regional Committees organise and host over 30 events each year, generating a significant proportion of our annual income. Not only do they raise much-needed funds, but they also help spread awareness of the Electrical Industries Charity and the support we provide to employees, their families, and businesses.
Becoming an EIC Regional Committee member is a great way to get involved and make a difference. If you’d like to learn more about how you can get involved—whether as a volunteer, supporter, or committee member—click here to find out more about the ways you can make a difference.
