Welcome to Episode 29 of the Torque Up Podcast, our New Year episode focused on what 2026 really looks like for electricians and trade business owners.

In this episode, Will and Junii are joined by Joe from Jake Electrical for a candid, no nonsense conversation about running an electrical business in the real world.

We talk openly about New Year resolutions that actually matter, the pressure of balancing work, family, admin, and growth, and why so many electricians feel stretched despite being busy.

Joe shares his journey through apprenticeship, going self employed, and the realities of pricing jobs, managing paperwork, using AI tools, and building systems that save time instead of creating more stress.

The conversation also dives into apprenticeships and why the system is broken, the real cost to small electrical businesses, and why good apprentices are becoming harder to find.

We then zoom out to discuss social media, influencer marketing, trade shows, wholesalers, and manufacturers, questioning what genuinely delivers value to installers and what no longer works.

This episode finishes with a future focused discussion on industry consolidation, large energy companies, digital platforms, and how electricians can protect their independence while building sustainable businesses into 2026 and beyond.

If you are an electrician, contractor, apprentice, wholesaler, or manufacturer, this episode will hit home.

This episode is proudly sponsored by Chauvin Arnoux UK, trusted specialists in professional test and measurement equipment for electricians.

00:00 – Welcome back and New Year reflections
Introducing Episode 29 and setting the tone for 2026.

03:30 – New Year resolutions that actually matter
Why mindset, time, and presence matter more than goals on paper.

07:45 – Running a trade business vs being good on the tools
Why admin and systems catch most electricians out.

12:30 – Using AI, software, and tools the right way
How electricians are saving time without losing control.

17:40 – Social media for electricians: what really works
Separating genuine value from paid promotion.

23:10 – Apprenticeships and why the system is failing
The real cost to small businesses and why good apprentices are rare.

30:20 – Work ethic, earning your stripes, and learning on site
Why hands on experience still matters more than shortcuts.

35:45 – Trade shows: worth it or outdated
Installer perspective on value, networking, and returns.

42:30 – Manufacturers, wholesalers, and installer trust
How new products actually reach electricians.

48:10 – The future of the electrical industry
AI, big energy companies, and the risk of consolidation.

54:40 – How electricians protect independence in 2026
Practical advice for future proofing your business.

58:30 – Final thoughts and takeaways
What electricians should really focus on this year.

It’s the third Torque Up festive special, but this year the tinsel takes a back seat and the lads go deep on the technical question hitting installs up and down the country:

Can a Type 2 SPD rely on an upstream service fuse for overcurrent protection, or must it have a dedicated protective device within the installer’s control?

The sparks’ sentiment in the room is clear:
manufacturer thermal ratings are part of the product design, but they do not guarantee compliance under BS 7671 if there is no dedicated, testable, local overcurrent protective device protecting the SPD as part of the installation.

What you’ll take from this episode:

● A thermal disconnection flag is a failsafe, not overcurrent protection
● The upstream DNO fuse is not dedicated to the SPD circuit, and has unknown characteristics for selectivity and verification
● Install design must meet the literal minimums of BS 7671 installers can verify and test
● Why Navitas kept the 32A MCB in their SPD consumer unit design when others removed it
● The wider industry frustration: installs previously passed are now being flagged for missing protection
● Why electricians care more about predictable disconnection than tidy ratings claims

This episode is educational trade discussion and reflects installer opinion and public regulatory interpretation conversations only. Nothing stated alleges wrongdoing by any person, brand, or organisation, nor constitutes legal or professional instruction. Always consult BS 7671:2018+A2:2022 and the Building Regulations when determining compliant protective device requirements.

Season long sponsor: Chauvin Arnoux

00:00 Xmas Special Intro

02:45 The SPD failure story

08:30 Thermal disconnector vs overcurrent protection

14:10 The upstream fuse problem explained

20:20 Manufacturer claims vs installer verification

27:40 Why inspectors flag missing OCPD

35:15 Navitas testing and product design decisions

41:55 Installer community frustrations

48:30 Who carries the risk when interpretation shifts

53:20 What installers should actually verify

59:10 Big industry question posed back to sparks

1:03:45 Xmas chaos interlude

1:05:44 CSPs and clearer communication chat

1:12:31 Worst Xmas crackers and gifts

1:14:34 Compliance psychology returns

1:18:46 Signing off for the year, looking ahead

Steve and Frank from PowerShack join Will and Jay for one of the most entertaining episodes yet.

From running a small Essex wholesaler to becoming viral TikTok stars, the lads from Blackwall Electrical Supplies talk openly about business, burnout, buying groups and the power of social media in the electrical trade.

🟢 How PowerShack built a following by mixing humour with hard graft
⚫️ Why old school wholesaling is changing faster than anyone expected
🟢 What manufacturers and contractors can learn from social media
⚫️ Why buying groups like the EIB are changing the game for independents

It’s real talk from the trade’s new generation of wholesalers who aren’t afraid to mix banter with business.

🎙 Hosted by Will Winter and Jay Whyte
🎧 Sponsored by C A U K – trusted test and measurement solutions built for professionals
📩 Sponsorship and guest enquiries: [email protected]

#TorqueUpPodcast #PowerShack #Electricians #Wholesalers #ElectricalIndustry #CAUK #TradesTalk #ElectricalLife #TikTokElectricians #UKConstruction #Navitas

⏱️ Chapters

00:00 Intro and sponsor read – Chauvin Arnoux
01:00 The long drive from Essex and car crash stories
04:00 How Blackwall Electrical Supplies became PowerShack
06:00 Family business roots and early wholesaling days
08:00 Working with friends and keeping it professional
12:00 The politics of the electrical industry
16:00 Sales reps, service standards and lost professionalism
18:00 Trade mornings and the value of counter staff
20:00 Why manufacturers can’t give installation advice
23:00 The hidden risk in imported cable
25:00 Price pressure and the impact on independents
27:00 How PowerShack use social media to stay relevant
30:00 Wholesalers choosing visibility over e-commerce
32:00 Manufacturers, marketing and TikTok influence
34:00 Collaborations between independents
37:00 The role of buying groups and joining the EIB
39:00 From burnout to building community
42:00 Why the EIB feels different from other groups
45:00 Is traditional marketing dead
47:00 The rise of storytelling and authenticity online
49:00 The real ROI of content creation
52:00 Building a PowerShack studio and future plans
55:00 Final thoughts – having fun while building the brand

t’s the Halloween Special of the Torque Up Podcast and this one hits close to home.

Will, Jay and Jimbo sit down for an unfiltered talk about what’s really haunting the trade. From burnout and stress to AI, TikTok and the future of UK wholesalers – this episode dives deep into the issues every electrician, manufacturer and wholesaler is facing right now.

🟢 Are we all just working too hard for too little
⚫️ Can AI really help the trade or will it replace it
🟢 What happens to wholesalers if the new budget fails
⚫️ Why cutting corners and chasing price is the real horror story

Plug in and power up with the Torque Up crew.
Sponsored by CAUK – trusted test and measurement solutions built for professionals.

🎙 Hosted by Will Winter, Jay Whyte and Jimbo Chapman
📩 For sponsorship or guest enquiries: [email protected]

#TorqueUpPodcast #Electricians #Wholesalers #ElectricalIndustry #CAUK #TradesTalk #ElectricalLife #AIElectricians #ConstructionUK #Navitas

00:00 Intro and sponsor read
01:00 Getting life back on track and managing stress
03:00 Jimbo’s Sunday reset routine
05:00 The guilt of taking time off
07:00 Balancing business, family and content creation
10:00 Why everyone feels burnt out
12:00 Short form content and the TikTok effect
15:00 Buying electrical gear online
17:00 Doomscrolling and mental overload
18:00 Meta glasses, ChatGPT and the rise of AI
21:00 Using AI without losing creativity
27:00 DIY disasters and accountability in the trade
31:00 Unsafe products and scary shortcuts
33:00 Sponsor message – CAUK
34:00 What’s really happening with wholesalers
36:00 Regional gaps and stalled projects
39:00 Inflation, politics and the cost of materials
43:00 How independents will be hit hardest
49:00 Solar growth and the risk of overtrading
52:00 Manufacturers vs wholesalers
54:00 Online pricing and the race to the bottom
58:00 Final thoughts and wrap up

⏱️ Episode Chapters

Luke Freeman joins Will Winter and Jay to talk about life as a self-employed electrician, how he built Freeman Electrical from scratch, and what it takes to stay booked two months ahead after just one year in business.

From early graft and nightmare hotels to navigating apprenticeships and growing a loyal client base, this episode is packed with honesty, laughs, and lessons every electrician can relate to.

Luke opens up about his journey, social media strategy, and the mindset that’s helped him turn hard work into opportunity — proving that with drive, consistency, and the right attitude, anything’s possible in this trade.

Chauvin Arnoux UK — Industry-leading test and measurement solutions for professionals.
🔗 cauk.net

Navitas Circuit Protection — Precision-engineered consumer units, RCBOs and SPDs built for professionals.
🔗 navitascp.co.uk

🎧 Follow @TorqueUp on Instagram and YouTube
📲 instagram.com/torqueup
🎥 youtube.com/@TorqueUp

⚡ Sponsored by🧰 Connect with Us

n this powerful episode of the Torque Up Podcast Will and Jay sit down with Stephen “Compo” Comparetto, director and shareholder at 7 Core Electrical, to pull back the curtain on the world of electrical wholesalers.

Compo’s story is one of true grassroots grit. From starting out on the tools to leading a multi million pound independent wholesaler, he shares the highs, the challenges, and the bold decisions that shaped his career including a management buyout (MBO) and a major buying group switch.

This conversation goes beyond business. We explore:
🟢 The real role wholesalers play in supporting electricians every day
⚫️ How buying groups influence the trade and why changes matter
🟢 The risks and rewards of going through an MBO
⚫️ The pressures politics and economics place on the wholesale sector
🟢 What it takes to rise from apprentice to director in the UK electrical industry

If you are an electrician, wholesaler, or anyone connected to the trade, this episode gives you the insider view you will not hear anywhere else.

👉 Sponsored by Chauvin Arnoux UK, experts in test and measurement solutions trusted worldwide.

Subscribe now and do not miss this deep dive into the business and politics of UK electrical wholesaling.

#TorqueUpPodcast #NavitasCP #7CoreElectrical #ElectricalWholesaler #ElectricianLife #AllAboutPower

BIG BRANDS ARE LYING TO YOU | SPDs, BS 7671 & The Truth They Do Not Want You To Know

🎙️ Torque Up Podcast | Episode 23 | With Kirsty Johnson

Big brands are controlling the industry and installers are paying the price.
In this explosive episode, we sit down with Kirsty Johnson, Technical Director at Surge Protection Devices Ltd and member of the JPEL committee, to reveal what is really happening behind the scenes of BS 7671, SPDs and product marketing.

If you are an electrician, contractor, wholesaler or trainer, this episode will change the way you think about the industry.

🟢 The hidden politics shaping BS 7671 and JPEL decisions
⚫ The truth about SPDs and why busbar fed installs can be unsafe
🟢 How big brands influence installers and wholesalers through marketing
⚫ The conflict between best practice, safety and commercial agendas
🟢 Why RCBOs are changing the way we protect circuits
⚫ How electricians can protect themselves and their customers

🎥 Watch on YouTube → https://youtube.com/@TorqueUp
🎧 Listen on Spotify → https://spotify.com/TorqueUp
🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts → https://podcasts.apple.com/TorqueUp

What You Will Learn In This EpisodeListen To More Episodes

In this episode of the Torque Up Podcast we sit down with Mitch, aka Bright Spark from the Midlands, to talk about one of the biggest challenges facing the trade today – the government’s failure to protect electrical apprenticeships.

We discuss the impact of rising costs, why apprentices are at risk of being priced out of the industry, and what this means for the next generation of sparks. Mitch also shares real site stories, the struggles of running a business, and how social media is changing the game for electricians.

⚡ Sponsored by Chauvin Arnoux UK – test and measurement instruments trusted by professionals.

00:00 – Welcome to Season 3

01:40 – Meet Mitch aka Bright Spark

04:50 – Social media and the trade

10:10 – Tesla chargers and PEN protection

16:20 – Running your own business as a spark

31:30 – Apprenticeships: then vs now

40:00 – Why government policy is failing apprentices

44:40 – Rising costs and National Insurance impact

50:00 – Will weekend courses replace apprenticeships?

This is it. The final episode of Season 2 and it's the one that could change everything.In Episode 21 of the Torque Up Podcast, host William Winter is joined by John Bagley and James Watkins for one of our deepest and most thought-provoking conversations yet.We dive headfirst into the world of AI and the trades, asking the big questions no one else is daring to tackle:🧠 What does artificial intelligence mean for the future of electricians, wholesalers, and manufacturers?🔧 How can tradespeople use AI to grow their businesses, save time, and stay ahead of the curve?📉 Will it disrupt or empower the next generation of apprentices and skilled labour?💷 And what about tax, national insurance, and the rising pressure on small business owners?This episode explores the real world impacts of technology, government policy, and cultural shifts on the trades and why the electrical industry cannot afford to ignore them. We talk openly about the future of apprenticeships, the cost of doing business, and how policy decisions are shaping the lives of young people entering the trade.Whether you are on the tools, managing a wholesaler, or leading a brand, this is the episode you cannot afford to miss.🔥 Available now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts🎧 Listen on the go or watch the full video here on YouTube💻 Learn more at www.torqueup.co.uk💥 Proudly sponsored by Wiha UK (@WihaUK)One of the world’s leading names in precision tools for professionals in the trade.📍Do not forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell so you do not miss Season 3. Bigger guests, bigger topics, and even more truth from the heart of the electrical industry.#TorqueUpPodcast #ElectriciansUK #AIintheTrades #SmallBusinessUK #TradeTalk #ElectricalIndustry #WihaTools #NationalInsurance #Apprenticeships #TalkUp #torqueuppodcast

🔌 TORQUE UP PODCAST EPISODE 20 – PART ONE: LIVE FROM THE ELEX SHOW EXETER 🔧We’re back with another massive two-part special – and this time, it’s recorded live on the road at the ELEX Show in Exeter. This is Torque Up like you’ve never seen it before.In Part One of Episode 20, we took the mics to the South West to bring you the raw energy, unfiltered opinions, and real conversations happening on the floor at one of the UK’s biggest electrical trade shows. Whether you were there or missed it, this episode captures everything that makes ELEX a cornerstone of the trade calendar.💥 TOOL WARS. FUSEBOARD FIGHTS. INDUSTRY CHAT. BUSINESS REAL TALK.We kicked things off with our now-infamous "Fuseboard and Tool War" challenge – putting brands to the test and putting installers on the spot. Which fuseboards do electricians actually rate? Which tools make the cut in real-world installs? And what’s the real word on the ground from those who do it every day?Expect laughs, debates, and a few controversial takes as we pit some of the UK’s biggest electrical brands against each other in a format that’s becoming a fan favourite.🎤 WHAT ELSE DID WE COVER IN EXETER?We didn’t just play games – we dug deep into the real issues electricians care about:✅ Trade shows: Are they still worth it in 2025?We asked the crowd – is the cost of travel, time away from site, and effort still worth what’s on offer? The answers were mixed and honest.✅ Electrical business in 2025: What's changed?We sat down with electricians, contractors and suppliers to hear their take on how the game is shifting. From compliance to competition, pricing to product support – nothing was off limits.✅ Why some wholesalers are winning, and others are falling behindThis one hit home with a lot of visitors – especially the ones fed up with bland service and poor product knowledge. As always, we said what others are thinking but won’t say out loud.✅ Industry gossip, honest opinions, and good vibesIf you know Torque Up, you know it’s not just business. We bring the banter, the laughs, and the connections that make the electrical community stronger.🚨 THIS IS ONLY PART ONEPart Two is coming in hot from the ELEX Harrogate show – and trust us, if you liked Exeter, you do not want to miss what’s coming next. Bigger crowd. Bolder opinions. And a few surprise guests that shook up the show.Make sure you’re subscribed to @TorqueUp on YouTube and following us on all socials so you don’t miss the next drop.📍 FILMED ON LOCATION AT ELEX EXETER 2025Big thanks to everyone who came up, shared their stories, and got involved. Whether you’re a spark on the tools, a wholesaler, a manufacturer, or just someone who loves the trade – this episode is for you.🔥 DON’T MISS PART TWO – ELEX HARROGATE SPECIAL 🔥It’s the follow-up you’ve been waiting for – more voices, more energy, more raw talk from the North of England. Coming next week. Hit the bell and stay locked in.🎧 Available on Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube | TikTok | Instagram🎙️ Hosted by William & Junii from NavitasBacked by real experience. Driven by passion for the trade.#TorqueUp #ELEXShow #ElectriciansUK #ToolWars #FuseBoardGame #CircuitProtection #Navitas #TradeShowVibes #ElectricianLife #PodcastUK #ElectricalBusiness #Wholesalers #ToolsOfTheTrade #ELEXExeter #HarrogatePreview