Charles McKinnon, former managing director of AMEC Mechanical & Electrical Services, has been appointed president of the ECA. He took office in a ceremony performed at the opening of the ECA's 2003 Electrical Industry Conference in Cyprus on 11 May.
McKinnon began his career in the industry in 1970 as assistant office manager in the Glasgow branch of James Scott & Co (Electrical Engineers). During the 1970s he was promoted through a number of financial and commercial management positions within the firm and in 1981 was appointed commercial director of the Glasgow company.

After the formation of Amec in 1982, in which Fairclough and James Scott's parent company the Wm Press Group merged, McKinnon was appointed to the corporate board of James Scott as commercial director. By 1995 he had been made managing director of the company.

In April 1996, after a major reorganisation of Amec, McKinnon was appointed md of Amec Mechanical & Electrical Services, one of the seven operating subsidiaries of Amec plc. He held this position until his retirement in April 2000 and currently acts as a consultant to the firm.

McKinnon became a member of the ECA/HVCA Joint Major Contractors Group in 1996 and a member of the ECA Governing Council in 2000.

One stumbling block that could adversely affect the new president's term in office has been uncovered, however – what McKinnon calls an 'inconsistent ability' at his favourite pastime of golf! Don't worry Charles, there'll be plenty of opportunity to practice this year.

Source

Electrical and Mechanical Contractor