GET IN TOUCH
With a career journey that began in humble surroundings and evolved into leading high‑profile electrical projects, Luke Szamek‑Allen brings a unique perspective and hands‑on experience to his role at ET‑L.
What first attracted you to working within the electrical industry?
Honestly, nothing sparked my interest at first — it happened more by chance than design. I started sweeping up in a garage at 12 on Saturday mornings, occasionally changing tyres and helping the mechanics. That lasted about two years before I was (politely) let go.
At 16, I moved into pot washing, followed by a stint at New Look in Rugeley a role I enjoyed. I was also studying economics, maths, and IT, but none of them really “connected” with me. After some lacklustre effort, I was asked to leave college.
A long-time family friend, Paul Arrowsmith, had always said that once I passed my driving test, he’d get me an interview. I took him up on it — and that’s how my career in the electrical industry was wired into place.
How did your career path lead you to becoming Contracts Manager, then to a Director at ET‑L?
During my apprenticeship, I treated it like a competition — especially being up against Paul Donnelly (Kevin’s son), which made it even more interesting. I worked hard, passed all my exams first time, and stuck at it.
I qualified while working with Carl Betteridge, who gave me some great advice: don’t chase the money straight away. He said I had the potential to go further, and after 12 months, when he had more work than he could handle, I stepped up as a Contracts Manager.
From there, I built relationships with customers, supported the wider management team, and got more involved with the inner workings of the business. I started suggesting improvements — most good, one not so much (I did once suggest our engineers sign up to Uber on the way home to increase margins let’s just say that one didn’t gain much traction).
Eventually, through commitment, hard graft, and staying positive even when the lights flickered, I was proud to be invited to become a Director.
What does a typical day in your role look like?
there’s no set routine, which keeps things interesting. One day I might be on site with the team, tools in hand, and the next I’m in the office pricing jobs, organising upcoming works, writing RAMS, interviewing new staff, or working with the college to support our apprentices.
In your view, what makes ET‑L unique when it comes to handling contracts and projects?
We’re transparent from day one, no hidden agendas. We value quality over quantity and would always rather take our time to deliver a job that’s right, rather than rush it for the sake of margins. If it’s not good enough for us, it’s not good enough for the client.
How do you approach building strong relationships with clients and suppliers?
It all starts with finding common ground. I try to be relatable, down to earth, and always back it up with solid service. I believe if you give me your time and effort, you’ll get it back tenfold — no resistance.
How do you see ET-L evolving in the electrical and control panel industry over the next few years?
We’ve already begun down the PLC path, and I see that expanding rapidly. Beyond that, I can see robotics and AI having a real impact on how we design and manufacture control systems. We’re also focused on Increasing our client base and growing our team to support that evolution. The future’s looking bright — and we’ve got the power to keep up.
Which recent project at ET‑L are you the proudest of, and why?
A 12-month gaming studio project I managed from cradle to grave really stands out. We delivered early, kept snags to a minimum, and had a very happy client and main contractor. We were under pressure at times, but never cut corners.
What skills or qualities do you think are essential for someone in a contracts management role?
You need to be calm under pressure remain chilled, but never complacent. Emotional intelligence is a big one, know when to speak up and when to listen. Come to the table with solutions, not just problems, and get to know your team as individuals
What advice would you give to someone starting out in the Electrical and Control Panel Industry?
Build a strong team around you, stay curious, and make sure your technical knowledge is always one step ahead
What’s one thing people might not know about you?
I’m a proud member of the 4AM club, usually training before the sun’s up and the workday kicks off. I thrive on routine, but I’ve also learned when to switch off… usually with a bit of gaming while pretending not to hear the chaos coming from the next room.
How do you like to spend your time outside of work?
Most of my time outside work is spent in full “dad mode” whether that’s refereeing living room wrestling matches, getting dragged around theme parks, or trying (and usually failing) to find five minutes of peace. I train 4–5 times a week and have recently got into HYROX, a mix of functional fitness and organised suffering… and strangely, I enjoy every minute of it.
