The SJIB National Board is the governing body of the Scottish Joint Industry Board. It is made up of an independent Chair, four representatives appointed by SELECT and four representatives appointed by Unite the Union. As the supreme executive authority of the SJIB, the National Board is responsible for overseeing the business and affairs of the organisation and exercising its powers under the SJIB Rules and Bye-Laws.
Jock Simpson – Chair, SJIB
Jock Simpson has served as Chair of the SJIB since 2009. He has spent many years involved in construction industrial relations and has chaired the National Joint Council for the Engineering Construction Industry since 2002.
Jock has a long association with the electricity supply industry and UK energy companies, including the nuclear sector. He has also worked across a range of industries including telecommunications, general engineering, the health service and cross-channel ferries. A former HR Director, he previously worked for a trade union and was actively involved in politics for many years, serving as a local councillor and Chair of his local constituency Labour Party.
In addition, Jock has served as a panel member of employment tribunals, a magistrate and a Chair of School Governors. He brings extensive experience in industrial relations, employment matters and governance.
Scott Foley – Regional Officer, Unite the Union
Scott has been employed by Unite the Union for 23 years and currently serves as a regional officer based at Unite’s Edinburgh office. Prior to the formation of Unite in 2007, he was employed by the Transport & General Workers’ Union (TGWU) as a regional industrial organiser.
Throughout his trade union career, Scott has represented members across a range of sectors including construction, engineering construction, building services, petrochemicals and nuclear, as well as members of the former Electrical and Plumbing Industries Union (EPIU), which merged with the TGWU in 1995.
Scott has served on the SJIB National Board for around 18 years and currently acts as Unite’s lead officer on the Board and lead negotiator for the electrical contracting industry in Scotland.
He also serves as a SECTT Trustee Director, is a member of the ECS Steering Committee, and sits on the Engineering Construction NECC and NJCECI (NAECI).
Bob MacGregor – Regional Officer, Unite the Union
Bob MacGregor has been employed by Unite the Union as a Regional Officer for 14 years and is based at the Unite Dundee District Office. During his time with the Union, he has been responsible for a broad range of sectors, including general construction, engineering construction, building and engineering services, building products, petrochemicals, shipbuilding, aerospace, utilities and local authorities.
Bob has served on the SJIB National Board since 2025 and brings extensive experience of representing workers across a diverse range of industries. Through his role with Unite, he works closely with employers, members and stakeholders on employment and industrial relations matters.
In addition, Bob has served as a Trustee Director of SECTT since 2012, supporting electrical installation apprenticeships and skills development within the industry.
Jason Poulter – National Officer, Unite the Union
Jason Poulter has served as Unite National Officer for the Mechanical & Electrical business stream within the construction sector since 2022. In this role, he has responsibility for a range of National Agreements across the electrical, mechanical and engineering construction industries, representing tens of thousands of Unite members. He also holds national responsibilities for members working on major projects including Hinkley Point C, Sizewell C and HS2.
A time-served electrician, Jason began his apprenticeship through JTL in 1999 with EI WHS. Prior to joining Unite as Lead Organiser for the Electrical and Mechanical Combine in 2019, he represented members at lay level in a number of positions including Shop Steward, Safety Representative, Convenor and Branch Secretary of the Manchester Contracting Branch.
Jason serves on a number of national industry boards and committees, including the JIB National Board, JTL Board, ECS Steering Committee and Construction Skills Mission Board. He brings extensive experience in industrial relations, skills development, workforce representation and the construction sector.
John Aitchison – Installation Electrician, HF Mechanical & Electrical
John Aitchison is an Installation Electrician with over 35 years’ experience in the electrical contracting industry and has been employed by HF Mechanical & Electrical for more than 25 years. Throughout his career, he has worked across a wide range of commercial, industrial and public sector projects, gaining extensive experience in installation, inspection, testing and site operations.
John is an elected Unite the Union Workplace Representative and has served as a Unite representative on the SJIB National Board since 2025. He is committed to maintaining high professional standards within the electrical industry, supporting apprenticeships, promoting continuous professional development, and ensuring that the views and experiences of working electricians are represented in discussions that help shape the future of the industry.
He has a particular interest in skills development, electrical safety, competency standards, and ensuring the industry is well prepared for emerging technologies and the transition to a low-carbon future.
James Harte (Lay Member) – UNITE
Biography and photograph to follow.
Donald W Orr – Managing Director, Unitech Services Ltd
Donald Orr is Managing Director of Unitech Services Ltd, a company he founded in 1986. He began his career as an apprentice electrician, qualifying as an electrician before progressing into the fire and security sector. He later became an Approved Electrician and business owner, building extensive experience across the electrical and related industries.
Donald has been involved with the SJIB for many years and currently serves as the Scottish Employers Lead on the SJIB National Board. He has also been a Member of SELECT for 37 years, holding a number of positions including Branch Chair and President. He currently serves as an Observer on the Central Board and Finance & Operations Committee, and as Convener of the Employment Relations, Major Contractors Forum and Employment Relations groups.
In addition, Donald is a Trustee and Chair of SECTT, where he acts as Employers Lead on the Board, and is also a Board member of NET. He has served on the FSA Standing Committee for several years and has been involved with the FESS Pathway Assessment since its early development, currently chairing the FESS Apprentice Development Group in Scotland.
Brian Boyd – Head of Industrial Relations, NG Bailey Ltd
Brian Boyd is Head of Industrial Relations at NG Bailey Ltd and has over 45 years’ experience in the electrical contracting and construction industry. Throughout his career, he has contributed to some of the UK’s largest construction projects, building a strong understanding of industry practices and workforce relations.
In his current role, Brian leads on industrial relations, bringing extensive knowledge of employment matters, negotiation and engagement across both employer and trade union environments. He is recognised as an experienced and well-rounded industrial relations professional, with a practical understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing the sector.
He has served on the SJIB National Board since 2001, representing both employer and trade union perspectives during that time.
Eric Rae – Director, E Rae & Son
Eric Rae began working in the family business at the age of 12 before starting his electrical apprenticeship in 1980. He gained City & Guilds qualifications before completing ONC and HNC qualifications in Electrical and Electronic Engineering in 1985. Today, he continues to run the family business, working alongside his eldest son.
Alongside his professional career, Eric has held a number of leadership roles within Electrical Safety Roundtable and the Federation of Small Businesses, serving at both local and national level. Through these positions, he has worked with MSPs, banking representatives and senior leaders across the public and private sectors to support the interests of small businesses.
Eric became involved with SELECT through the Aberdeen Branch, later serving as Branch Chair, Board Member and ultimately President of SELECT. He joined the SJIB National Board as an Employer Representative in 2014 and currently serves on a number of SELECT committees, including Finance & Operations, Employment Relations, Electrotechnical, Registration Board and Training & Skills Development, where he is Vice Convener.
Mike Stark – UK&I Technical Director, OCS
Mike Stark is UK&I Technical Director at OCS, bringing over 45 years’ experience within the electrical industry. He began his career as an electrician in 1984 and has progressed through a range of roles including Approved Electrician, Project Manager, Operations Manager, Regional Director and Director of Data Cabling & Networks.
In his current role, Mike provides technical leadership across the business, with particular responsibility for electrical safety, regulatory compliance and best practice. As Electrical Principal Duty Holder, he supports the development of safe systems of work, training programmes and risk management processes, helping ensure high standards are maintained across all operations.
He has extensive experience in team leadership, stakeholder engagement and operational improvement, alongside a strong focus on health and safety and industry standards. Mike has been involved with the SJIB National Board since June 2026.
Sharon Miller MBA – Managing Director, SELECT
Sharon Miller was appointed Managing Director of SELECT in June 2026. She has worked with the construction sector since 2019, when she led the Scottish Government’s Construction Accord Policy Team. She led work on the Construction Accord, a UK first, and the associated Transformation Plan. The Accord is a strategic agreement between the Scottish Government and the construction sector, setting out a shared vision for the industry’s future.
Her career began with the Property Services Agency, working on defence projects. During more than 30 years in government, she also supported ministers on financial services, innovation and cities policy.
Sharon holds a Master’s in Business Administration from Glasgow Caledonian University and brings extensive experience in policy development, stakeholder engagement and strategic leadership.
Catherine Gillon FCIPD – Secretary, SJIB and Director of Employment Relations & Operations, SELECT
Catherine Gillon is Secretary to the Scottish Joint Industry Board (SJIB), supporting the governance and administration of the industry’s nationally recognised grading, apprenticeship and employment framework. She works closely with employers, trade unions and industry stakeholders to help maintain high standards across the sector.
Catherine is also Director of Employment Relations & Operations at SELECT, where she leads the Employment Relations team and provides strategic advice and support on employment law, industrial relations, HR best practice and workforce matters to electrical contractors across Scotland.
A Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (FCIPD), Catherine has extensive experience in human resources, employee relations and organisational operations. She has led the development of employment policies, supported national wage negotiations, overseen complex workplace matters and driven operational improvements across the organisation. In addition to her employment relations responsibilities, she oversees operational functions within SELECT, ensuring the organisation continues to deliver an efficient and professional service to Members.
She is passionate about promoting good employment practices, developing people and supporting the long-term success of Scotland’s electrical industry.