It is with deep regret that we announce that Past Master William Wright passed away on Saturday 20 May, after a brave battle with cancer. Bill passed away peacefully in hospital with his family around him.

Bill began his career in the electrical industry in 1971, completing a student engineering apprenticeship that was sponsored by M.O.D.  After graduating from Cambridge University with an engineering degree in 1975, Bill spent the early part of his career in the civil service, latterly working for the National Gas Turbine Establishment as head of test services.

A chartered electrical engineer, Bill then moved to the John Lewis Partnership, where he held a variety of roles over a 25-year period, including chief electrical engineer and corporate energy manager. He had responsibility for electrical safety, maintaining standards and, ultimately optimising the partnership’s approach to energy efficiency and the environment.

After leaving JLP in 2009 Bill started his own energy and environment consultancy, Wright Energy and Environment. This led to opportunities as a part time lecturer at London South Bank University  and in recent years he became the Electrical Contractors Association’s Head of Energy Solutions, a role in which he made such a major and sustained contribution. As a fellow of the IET, Bill also played a key role in the development of previous and the latest Wiring Regulations.

As someone truly committed to the success of our industry, Bill also held a variety of non-executive roles at bodies including Electrical Safety First, NICEIC/Certsure, Gas Safety Trust and SummitSkills.

Bill joined the Worshipful Company of Lightmongers in 1999 and progressed to Liveryman in 2000. He joined the Court in 2006 as an Assistant, was elected Junior Warden in 2011, Senior Warden in 2012 and from 2013 to 2014, he was Master of the company. He was also the Chair of the Education Committee, reflecting his personal interest and commitment to improving education within the industry and a Trustee of the Lightmongers Charitable Trust. In addition to his knowledge and experience of the electrical industry Bill brought great energy and an infectious enthusiasm to everything he did with the Lightmongers, both as a Member and as an Officer.

Bill was married to Stephanie, a GP, for nearly 40 years and had two sons, William and Nicholas.  His interests included sailing, hill walking, and amateur radio. He was also active in his local Rotary Club. He had an abundance of energy and enthusiasm and approached everything with a smile and a great sense of humour.

Bill will be remembered warmly by all who knew him or came in to contact with him for his generosity with his time and his invaluable knowledge and experience, which he was all too happy to share.

For all of his wonderful achievements, Bill’s greatest asset was being a genuinely warm and friendly gentleman and his passing is a great loss.  All our sympathies are with his family at this extremely difficult time.