TORQUE UP

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

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⚡ 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

Episode 19 | Theo Webster: From £40K Debt to Industry Respect

This is the one.From building a 13-person electrical business at 22, to falling off a ladder, breaking his back, and facing £40,000 in debt — Theo Webster’s story is one of grit, pain, and the relentless will to rebuild.

In this two-hour deep-dive, Theo joins Will & Junii for a brutally honest conversation about:🔌 What no one tells you about running a business in the trades⚡ The dangerous mindset of “just getting the job done”💰 Why social media courses for sparks might not be worth your cash🧠 Mental pressure, managing staff, and learning leadership the hard way🏆 How he came back stronger — and what it really took

This isn’t just another podcast.It’s a survival story, a business masterclass, and a reminder that the job can take everything if you’re not careful.

Whether you’re just starting out or ten years deep — this episode will hit home.

🎙️ Hosted by Will & Junii🛠 Powered by @WihaUK⚡ Supported by Navitas Circuit Protection & Doncaster Cables

WATCH on YouTube or LISTEN on Spotify & Apple Podcasts.

#TorqueUpPodcast | #TheoWebster | #SparkyTalk | #ElectricianLife | #TradesPodcast | #ContractorJourney | #UKTrades | #ElectricianPodcast

We’re back with a monster episode — LIVE (well, filmed live) from the buzzing ELEX Show at Alexandra Palace!

Episode 18 of the Torque Up Podcast brings you a full mix of laughs, honesty, trade talk, and behind-the-scenes realities from some of the biggest personalities in the industry.

Featuring:

• Tall Sparky & Ryan Davis – raw takes on content burnout, chasing dream lives, and what people don’t see behind the posts

• OM Electrical – from bored spark to content beast, saying no to brands, and why filming a consumer unit isn’t always worth it

• Charlie from Wiha UK – tools, backpacks, and his first-ever trade show experience

• Julian & Elliot from Chauvin-Arnoux – banter, testing talk, and rescuing pigs during a year off

• Plus reflections on social media pressure, holiday cover systems, and the truth about making content in the trade

This episode is a proper celebration of trade creators, community, and graft — filmed in the middle of the busiest tool show in the UK.

AND this is just the beginning. Torque Up will be at EVERY ELEX SHOW for the rest of the year.

Come find us, jump on the mic, and be part of the movement.

🎧 Watch on YouTube. Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

Follow @TorqueUp for all episodes, shorts, and trade content with no filters.

Torque Up Ep 17: The Cable Crisis No One Is Talking AboutIn this explosive episode of Torque Up, we sit down with Aaron from Doncaster Cables, one of the last remaining UK manufacturers of electrical cable, to uncover the hidden danger threatening our trade.⚠️ Substandard cable is flooding the UK market.⚠️ Electrical wholesalers with zero manufacturing expertise are importing it.⚠️ And thousands of UK jobs have been lost because of it.We’re talking about a product that goes into almost every single circuit in the country, yet barely anyone is questioning where it’s coming from... or what’s really inside it.Doncaster Cables is one of the few standing tall — testing, certifying, and manufacturing right here in Britain. In this episode, we dig deep into:🟢 The alarming rise of cheap, dangerous cable in the UK⚫ The real-world consequences of losing UK manufacturing🟢 Why sparkies NEED to know what they're installing⚫ How unregulated imports are putting your reputation, and your customers at riskWith the full squad in the studio, Will, Junii and James, this one is honest, emotional, and essential viewing for every electrician who cares about standards, safety, and the future of our industry.If you’ve ever trusted that the cable on the shelf is safe… you need to watch this.🔌 Sponsored by @WihaUK — trusted tools for tradespeople who demand more.🔗 Watch now and subscribe to stay powered up with the best in the game.#TorqueUpPodcast #DoncasterCables #ElectriciansUK #MadeInUK #ElectricalSafety #SubstandardCable #UKManufacturing #CableCrisis #WihaTools #SupportUKManufacturing