Erika Wilson Becomes BEAMA’s First Female President

During BEAMA’s Annual Conference in London, “Target 2030: A New Era for Industrial Growth and Sustainability in the UK,” Erika Wilson was announced as its new president.

Wilson Power Solutions Managing Director Erika Wilson has been an active BEAMA board member for the past eight years and a Vice President for four years. This appointment makes Erika the first BEAMA female president, hoping to bring a new perspective to the association's leadership along with BEAMA’s first female CEO, Yselkla Farmer.

Erika Wilson - first female BEAMA president

Wilson Power Solutions is undergoing significant investment plans to expand its production output further in response to market demand growth. Erika has seen the company transition from an SME to a large corporation, giving her a unique perspective on the opportunities and challenges of all business experiences, which will be instrumental in her new position.

BEAMA is the UK trade association representing manufacturers in the electrotechnical sector. It offers leadership, expertise, and independent advocacy on issues related to product safety, performance, energy efficiency, digital technology, and sustainability.

As the new president, Erika brings a wealth of experience and a forward-thinking vision to the association, emphasising innovation, sustainability, and resilience in the UK’s electrical manufacturing industry. Known for her commitment to energy efficiency, she aims to strengthen BEAMA’s role in shaping future energy policies and standards and expand collaboration with government bodies, focusing on initiatives that support the transition to Net Zero. With a focus on long-term resilience, Erika’s leadership is expected to guide BEAMA through pivotal industry shifts, reinforcing the organisation’s role in shaping the UK’s energy landscape.

At the same time, a heartfelt thank you goes to BEAMA’s outgoing president, Keith Ritchie, for his outstanding leadership and dedication to advancing the UK’s electrical manufacturing industry. His enthusiasm has strengthened BEAMA’s influence in navigating complex challenges and advocating for industry needs at a national level.

Erika Wilson speaking at BEAMA conference

Erika commented on her appointment, saying:

“Stepping into the role of BEAMA president is an incredible honour. I look forward to working closely with the BEAMA team to champion the interests and growth of electrical manufacturers of all sizes in the UK. Our sector is vital in enabling the decarbonisation of electrical networks, heat and transport. This is a unique opportunity to represent our members, capitalise on our collective strengths and facilitate crucial collaborations with key external stakeholders to advance Net Zero.

Wilson Power Solutions has been selected as a finalist in the Net Zero Collaboration Award, along with Tesla, after working closely together for the past four years to refine transformer designs to fit Tesla Megapacks. The collaboration has seen the two companies work on the four largest Battery Energy Storage Systems in the UK: Lakeside, Bumpers, Clay Tye, and Pillswood, and the largest BESS in Belgium.

The whole team from Wilson Power Solutions wishes Erika every success in her new role as BEAMA president. We believe Erika’s leadership and vision are exactly what this industry needs to continue thriving and evolving.

About Erika Wilson and Wilson Power Solutions

Erika is the Managing Director of Wilson Power Solutions. She joined the family businesses in 1999, working on the shopfloor. During that time, she studied electrical and electronic engineering and later gained a qualification in business and finance. After leading the sales and business development side of the company for nearly two decades, Erika became the sole owner and managing director in 2021. Since then, Erika has managed to grow the business over fivefold while tripling the headcount.

As the Managing Director of a transformer manufacturing company, Erika recognises that distribution and power transformers are critical components of the UK’s electrification targets. Despite never making it to headlines, transformers are among the most essential and expensive infrastructure equipment, pivotal to expanding the electrical grid and connecting renewable energy and battery energy storage systems (BESS) to the grid.

UK demand for transformers has risen, but supply chain complexities, raw material shortages, skilled labour gaps, and competition with other international markets for resources have extended lead times to over three years in some cases. To meet the growing demand, Wilson Power Solutions is expanding its manufacturing facilities in the UK and India to increase production capacity and accommodate around 700 employees across the two countries.