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YOUR TRUSTED EXPERTS.

OUR JOURNEY.

2009

CED Group was founded by Andrew Sim and Mal Trimble, starting out in a small shed on Dillon Street, Cobram with just three staff. From day one, the focus was clear: do quality work, back our word, and build something that matters.

2012-2013

In 2012, Mal stepped away from the business to focus on himself. Nic Sim saw the opportunity, bought Mal’s share, and came on board as a 50% partner.
The team had grown to seven, and the next chapter was just beginning.

2014-2023

Over the next decade, CED grew steadily — not through shortcuts, but by backing our people, investing in training, and staying committed to our community.
We went from 7 to 50+ local staff, growing teams around subject matter experts in every key area of the electrical industry.

Our reputation was built on trust, care, and relentless effort.
If we didn’t know something, we learned it. If something didn’t sit right in the industry, we challenged it.
We love the phrase:
“You can’t beat what you copy.”
Because we don’t follow. We set the pace.

2024

A defining year. CED Group acquired O’Brien Electrical Echuca Moama, further strengthening our regional footprint.
Through that, we became one of the first independent network members of the O’Brien Electrical brand — a move that respected both our identity and our values.

It wasn’t about a logo — it was about joining forces with a national brand that saw what we were building.
This set a new benchmark — one that’s now shaping the O’Brien model across Australia and New Zealand.
We’re not just part of it — we’re leading from the front.

2025

We moved into our new, state-of-the-art facility on Schubert Street.
It’s more than just a building — it’s a reflection of everything we’ve built.
A base for our people. A platform for what’s next.

WHAT MAKES US CED.

We create value. We back our people. We support our community.
And we don’t stop until the job is done right.

Our values don’t sit on the wall — they’re lived every day:

  • We care
  • We work it out
  • We add value
  • We build real relationships
  • We deliver — because that’s what we do


We’re always pushing forward — in people, process, and technology. We live continues improvement model
Whether it’s cutting-edge control systems, smart automation, or the latest in solar and off-grid solutions, we don’t just keep up — we lead the way.

More than just a tagline — we’re building something that matters.
We simplify the complex, tackle the hard stuff, and leave a legacy our team and clients can be proud of.

At CED, “Crafting Solutions, Building Futures” means we don’t just do the job — we solve the problem and deliver the outcome.

We listen, we work it out, and we get it done — in a way that creates lasting value for our clients, our people, our community, and the environment around us.

Every challenge is a chance to improve something.
Every outcome is a building block for future opportunities — whether it’s personal growth, a better project result, or a stronger, more sustainable way of doing things.

We back sustainability, care, and excellence in everything we do — because that’s how real futures get built.

MEET OUR HIGHLY SKILLED TEAM

We’ve been proudly operating since 2009 and have grown into a passionate local team. Together, we bring energy, expertise, and a commitment to quality across everything we do. We’re always on the lookout for great people to join our team, if you’re interested in being part of CED Group, get in touch with us here to start the conversation.

We are always looking for great humans.

JOIN OUR TEAM

ANDREW SIM

Founding Director & Technical Consultant

Andrew Sim is the founding director of CED Group and the cornerstone of who we are today. From humble beginnings on Dillon Street in 2009 with just three staff, Andrew helped build a business grounded in quality, care, and trust — values that still drive us now.

A selfless leader and deeply respected tradesman, Andrew’s genuine love for the trade and sharp technical knowledge has shaped not just the business, but the people within it. He’s spent years building real capability across the team, creating a workplace where expertise and values go hand-in-hand.

Today, Andrew plays a key role as a consultant across CED, working closely with our subject matter experts to ensure we keep delivering outstanding results for our clients. He’s still the quiet backbone of the business — a steady presence behind the scenes, always making sure the standard is met and the next generation is supported.

Andrew isn’t just part of the story — he’s the reason the story exists.

NIC SIM

Managing Director & General Manager

Nic Sim is the Managing Director and co-owner of CED Group, with over 13 years leading from the front. Contracting and business have been part of his life from early on, and his passion for the trade — and for building something that lasts — runs deep.

Nic’s drive is simple: build great people, and the business will follow. He’s committed to developing the next generation of skilled tradespeople, knowing the industry faces real challenges as experienced talent moves on and gaps begin to show. For Nic, it’s not just about keeping up — it’s about raising the bar.

With a focus on leadership, depth of capability, and real outcomes, Nic challenges industry norms and pushes for better — for clients, for the community, and for the CED team.

He doesn’t believe in “can’t.”
He believes in working it out, building trust, building relationships and delivering — every time.

Ben Gooderham

Ben Gooderham is the scoreboard of CED. As a qualified accountant with over 23 years of experience in both public practice and industry, he brings serious financial capability into the heart of the business.

Since joining CED, Ben has played a key role in helping the team understand that if you can’t measure it, you cant manage it — and that the story behind the numbers can drive better decisions, stronger outcomes, and smarter growth.

He brings the numbers to life in a way that tradies get.
He’s helped shift the thinking from just doing the work to understanding the business behind it — supporting our leaders with the tools and clarity they need to grow from technicians into true divisional managers.

Ben’s not from the tools — but he’s become a critical part of how we shape the future of our business.

Luke Robinson

Luke Robinson is a homegrown CED leader, having worked his way through the business over the past decade. With 18 years in the electrical industry, Luke brings real-world experience across solar, domestic, commercial, and industrial work — and now leads our major projects and service operations.

A qualified tradesman with a deep understanding of contracting, Luke knows what good looks like on-site — and he makes sure we never drop the standard.

He’s a zero-fuss operator who leads with discipline, focus, and follow-through.
Whether it’s a multi-site rollout or a critical service job, Luke holds the line on quality, safety, and delivery — every time.

Clients trust him because he gets the details right and delivers what’s promised.
Built from the ground up, he’s now helping shape the future of CED with a steady hand and high standards.

MALCOLM BARNES

Malcolm Barnes is a ten-year CED veteran who’s come up through the ranks — from skilled tradesman to leading our CED Power and high-voltage division as Operations Manager of CED Power.

A qualified electrician, cable joiner, and linesman, Malcolm brings hands-on experience across electrical and civil works. He’s been on the tools, in the field, and now leads the delivery of complex high-voltage projects — from quoting through to invoicing and execution — with a strong focus on safety, quality, and efficiency.

Malcolm also brings a successful sporting background, having played and coached in high-performance environments. That experience shows in how he leads — with integrity, discipline, and a deep understanding of what it takes to build strong teams that deliver under pressure.

Humble and dependable, Malcolm represents what CED is all about: growing great people, backing real talent, and leading from experience.
He’s not just running operations — he’s helping raise the bar across the industry.

JIM ENGLAND

Jim England is CED’s high-performance coach and Execution & Accountability Advisor. Reporting directly to Nic, Jim works closely with the senior leadership team to keep the business focused, aligned, and delivering on its promises.

With decades of experience running large electrical businesses across the globe, Jim brings a rare mix of real-world trade knowledge and board-level expertise. He battle-tests our systems, strengthens our leadership, and ensures we’re leading with integrity — from the ground up.

Jim doesn’t just advise — he holds the line. He sets a standard of ownership, discipline, and care that helps turn potential into performance.

He’s here to make sure we do what we say we’re going to do, and that we keep building a culture our people and clients can trust.

Tim Mannion

Tim Mannion is part of the next generation of leaders at CED — a tradesman who’s grown through the business and is now laying the foundations for an outstanding career.

With over a decade at CED, Tim has deep experience in automation, data, and connected systems, and brings that technical strength into his role as Senior Estimator. He now heads up what we call the engine room — where precision and real-world knowledge shape every job from the very beginning.

We’re not salesmen — we’re tradesmen — and Tim’s attention to detail makes sure our projects are priced properly, scoped accurately, and ready to deliver.

He’s sharp, humble, and fully locked in on the future.
Like many of our key people, Tim’s just getting started — and already making a big mark on how we work and win.

Dave Thynne

Dave Thynne is a homegrown leader at CED — a highly skilled tradesman who’s grown through the business and found his niche in the world of renewables.

With over 12 years in the electrical industry, Dave brings sharp technical capability across battery storage, off-grid systems, and complex renewable design. He holds multiple accreditations in PV design and installation, grid-connect battery, and off-grid solutions, and combines that with real on-the-tools experience in both domestic and commercial environments.

Dave’s not a salesman — he’s a technical operator who knows how to deliver real value through smart energy systems. Now leading CED’s Renewables Division, he’s building a team of highly capable individuals who share his calm, methodical, and no-fuss approach to problem-solving.

Dave doesn’t need to say much — he leads by how he works.
Focused, steady, and committed to a more sustainable future, Dave is helping drive the next chapter of CED.

Matt Shannon

Matt Shannon has been with CED for over 12 years — growing with the business and playing a hands-on role through every phase of its evolution. He brings a deep background in industrial and project-based electrical work, and now plays a key role in leading the estimating function across the business.

With real on-the-tools experience and a sharp understanding of how great projects come together, Matt helps drive the engine room of CED — where every job starts with clarity, accuracy, and care.

He’s seen where we’ve come from, understands where we’re going, and exemplifies the values and standards that define us: integrity, ownership, discipline, and care.

Matt leads by example.
He lifts those around him, holds the line when it counts, and continues to help shape the high-performance culture at the core of CED.

Aaron Elzinga

Aaron Elzinga leads CED’s Industrial and Automation Division, bringing over 13 years of hands-on experience and deep technical expertise to the role. A qualified A-Grade Electrician, Aaron also holds an Advanced Diploma in Industrial Automation and is a TUV Certified Machine Safety Technician.

He’s a recognised expert in the design, delivery, and management of complex industrial automation projects — with deep capability across equipment installations, controls, PLCs, HMIs, and electrical safety systems. From Omron to Allen Bradley, Aaron understands the systems and knows how to make them work for clients, safely and efficiently.

As CED continues to grow in the industrial sector, Aaron is leading the charge — combining his trade background with an engineering perspective to help clients solve real problems with real outcomes.

He’s sharp, calm, and commands respect without needing to chase it.
A straight shooter — when Aaron speaks, people listen.
And when he leads, jobs get done right.

Damien Black

Damien is one of CED Group Cobram’s two dual trade Refrigeration mechanic and A Grade Electricians, bringing a unique and valuable skill set to our team. Since joining CED in 2022, Damien has made a strong impression and quickly stepped up to lead the Mechanical division.

In 2025, CED Group has taken on 2 significant mechanical projects in Moama – a major milestone for the company – and Damien is proudly leading the charge.

With his technical expertise, leadership skills, and drive, he’s laying the foundation for what’s set to become a fast-growing area of the business. Working closely with fellow qualified Refrigeration mechanic Dom, Damien is helping to shape a division with big potential.

Watch this space – with Damien at the helm, the Mechanical division is just getting started.

Lance Cox

Lance began his electrical career as a mature-aged apprentice, bringing with him a wealth of life experience, mechanical expertise, and a strong work ethic. His background in the mechanical industry gives him a unique edge in problem-solving and delivering high-quality outcomes for clients.

During his apprenticeship, Lance gained hands-on experience across a diverse range of projects — from new residential builds to commercial and industrial installations, as well as service and maintenance work.

Now leading the way in our Service Division, Lance works across lighting and power installations, switchboard upgrades, light industrial projects, preventative maintenance, and electrical repairs. His approach is grounded in precision, safety, and a genuine commitment to exceeding client expectations.

With attention to detail second to none, and a reputation for reliability, Lance is a driving force behind our ability to deliver outstanding results — every time.

LEADERSHIP TEAM

Formed in October 2024, and voted by their peers, this team was built to lead CED into the future. With a focus on collaboration and growth, they are here to guide the business forward and support our crew every step of the way.

JAMIE MADDISON

Jamie Maddison is a homegrown leader who brings over 15 years of experience in the electrical trade — and a calm, results-driven presence that sets the tone across the business.

Now heading up operations at CED Echuca Moama, Jamie plays a key role in leading teams, managing complex jobs, and making sure every project hits the mark on time, on budget, and at the highest standard. From the tools to management, Jamie’s deep technical knowledge, strong planning skills, and no-fuss attitude make him a trusted operator.

He’s also passionate about mentoring others and growing strong teams — helping bring the next wave of electricians through with discipline, care, and the right mindset.

Jamie doesn’t chase the spotlight — he delivers.
Quietly driven, fiercely capable, and focused on building a sustainable future, Jamie is helping shape what the next era of CED looks like.

BRAD NIHILL

Brad Nihill brings 15 years of solid electrical experience across commercial maintenance, domestic installs, and large-scale projects. He’s stepped up as Project Leader at our Echuca-Moama branch, playing a key role in day-to-day operations.

Brad’s hands-on approach, sharp attention to detail, and commitment to quality make him a trusted leader on the ground. He holds the standard high and lives the CED values every day.

Coming into the prime of his career, Brad is a great tradesman and a pleasure to work alongside — growing into a strong leader and key support for Jamie as his 2IC.

MICHAEL APPS

Michael Apps has only worked with CED for 20 months, but he started his apprenticeship as an Electrical in 1984 and now has over 40 years’ experience. Michael has also completed his Certificate 3 in project management.

Michael was brought on board at CED to help oversee the major Projects from quoting to day to day running of these projects.