Meet the speakers at National Heat Pump Week 2026

Since 2020 Colin has also worked with CIBSE as a part-time retained Technical Consultant – supporting the in-house technical team and leading specific CIBSE projects/initiatives including; AM16 Heat pump installations for large non-domestic buildings, AM17 Heat pump installations for large non-domestic buildings, Commissioning Code M Management, TM51 Ground Source Heat Pumps, Commissioning Code A Air, Guide M Maintenance engineering and management etc.

Colin formed CG Technical Property Services in 2020 to create an independent consultancy to provide high quality technical and operational advice to Design, Facilities, Property Management and Construction clients. Focused on improving outcomes for end clients and building occupants, using sound technical and management principals utilising a wealth of experience in property operations, building services design, construction and energy management from within client, consultant, and contractor businesses.

Colin qualified as a chartered engineer in 1995 and is also a registered European Engineer (EurIng). He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE), Member of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) and Liveryman in the Worshipful Company of Engineers. He has held board and senior manager positions in BSRIA, Mitie, Dalkia, Sainsburys Property Company, AG Manly, both as a service provider and as a client.

Professor Richard Fitton (PhD, FRICS) is Technical Director of the Energy House 2.0 project, a world-leading building physics test facility at the University of Salford.

He serves on the UK Government’s Committee on Fuel Poverty, advising on the effectiveness of policies aimed at reducing fuel poverty and encouraging greater coordination across organisations working to tackle fuel poverty.

A Chartered Building Surveyor and Fellow of the RICS, he holds a PhD in Building Physics and has authored over 80 publications on building energy performance and measurement. He leads international task groups developing standards for energy performance assessment.

He is Chair of the British Standard for Retrofit Assessment and serves on the SAP Scientific Integrity Group at BRE, which oversees the UK’s domestic energy model.

He is also a panel member of the RICS Residential Professional Group and co-leads an International Energy Agency Annex developing methods to use smart meter data to derive energy-efficiency metrics in dwellings.

Katy is a director on Nesta’s mission to create a sustainable future, which focuses on decarbonisation and economic recovery.

Her team focuses on setting up innovation projects and partnerships that reduce carbon emissions from homes, which is a key part of the UK reaching net zero. Katy has a background in energy efficiency and behavioural science.

Katy joined Nesta from the Behavioural Insights Team (BIT), where she worked across a number of policy areas, including household energy efficiency, consumer issues and COVID-19.

Before working at BIT, Katy worked as a strategist for a leading advertising agency. Katy holds a first-class degree in social and political sciences from the University of Cambridge.

Roger Hitchin is a self-employed consultant, having previously been a Technical Director at BRE dealing with building energy issues. During this period he was involved in the development of SBEM, of EU eco-design requirements and with EU coordination on the implementation of the EPBD. Before that he had worked as a building physics researcher, a building services design consultant, and a technical and business researcher within the British Gas “Research and Development” and “Global Gas” business units respectively. He has been involved with the IEA Technology Collaboration Programme on Heat Pumping Technologies for much of the last 20 years, most recently in the DESNZ-led collaborative project on Retrofitting Heat Pump Systems in Non-domestic Buildings. He is also active in CIBSE, acting as chair of the steering committee for the development of a retrofit supplement to AM17 “Heat pump installations for large non-domestic buildings”, and also of the CIBSE-hosted “Heat Pump Liaison Group” which provides an informal forum for providers of heat pump design and installation.

Laura Bishop is a mechanical engineer with over 25 years’ experience across advanced manufacturing, energy systems and large-scale decarbonisation infrastructure.

She is Co-founder and Director of Hillside Infinitas, a project development company delivering integrated low-carbon energy schemes incorporating heat pumps, heat networks, solar PV and battery storage.

Laura previously held senior engineering roles at E.ON and founded Infinitas Design, specialising in large-scale heat pump and heat network projects.

She is Co-Chair and Director of the Heat Pump Association UK, where she works with government and industry to accelerate heat pump deployment. Laura is widely recognised for her expertise in heat pump integration and the practical delivery of large-scale electrification of heat.

Bean has over 17-years’ experience, including eight years with an installation contractor, in energy demand and carbon reduction strategy and in the selection of technologies, procurement and the installation of mechanical services and low emissions energy systems.

Over this time, Bean has overseen the technology positioning, specification and delivery of a variety of heat pump systems, many of which supply heat and potable hot water to Listed and period buildings, and to schools, rural estates and commercial buildings.

Since 2016, Bean has concentrated on heat pump sector representation, the advancement of the industry, supporting the development of government electrification policy, VAT & PDR revision, future funding & affordability, consumer protection, installer training and standards, and preparation of the future workforce.

Following the successful merger of the three heat pump trade bodies, he now consults to multiple industry organisations, and is responsible for an outreach programme providing CPD-style engagement to community groups and to other built environment industry professionals, which included co-hosting the highly successful Happy Heat Pump Podcast. He has also been a contributor on heat pump topics to BBC and Times radio.

Charlotte joined the Heat Pump Association in April 2023 as their first Chief Executive. Having spent the previous 10 years at NAPIT, a UKAS-accredited Certification Body for installers in the Building Services and Fabric sectors, culminating in leading their external affairs function, Charlotte has a wealth of knowledge in the practicalities and policy surrounding the retrofitting of the UK housing stock, specifically relating the heat pumps.

With a strong understanding of the vital role of the installer and the importance of consumer demand and industry collaboration in affecting change, Charlotte brings a valuable perspective to the panel.

Madeleine leads Nesta’s Sustainable Future mission, which aims to reduce carbon emissions and promote economic wellbeing in the UK.

The main focus is on decarbonising homes, as they’re responsible for over 20% of the UK’s carbon emissions.

In her previous role at Nesta, Madeleine led teams doing research and policy projects looking at how to use innovation for social good, with a particular focus on how to share the costs and benefits of innovation more equally. This focus on inclusion and fairness in innovation is really important to our work on the transition to net zero.

Codrina is a mission manager in Nesta’s sustainable future team. She works with homeowners, heat pump installers, local authorities and industry experts to accelerate the transition to low-carbon heating.

Most recently, her work has focused on identifying and addressing the barriers consumers encounter when looking to electrify their heating systems, including developing an independent heat pump information website and tackling issues within the current planning system.

A researcher by background, Codrina has been at Nesta for more than six years, working on a range of topics including tech for good, local government innovation and Covid-19.

Damon Blakemore is a well-respected heating engineer. He is a multiple Regional Winner for Yorkshire for the Heating Installer Awards, and scooped the prize of National Runner up of the HI Awards at InstallerSHOW in 2022.

Simon is a policy analyst at the Climate Change Committee – the UK’s independent adviser on tackling climate change – where he is part of a team focussed on reducing emissions from buildings.

He works on monitoring progress on reducing emissions, as well as analysis and policy advice to support reaching Net Zero emissions by 2050. He recently led work to model the decarbonisation of residential buildings, in support of the Committee’s advice on the Seventh Carbon Budget.

Simon moved into policy analysis following careers in architecture and local politics. He is a qualified architect and holds an MSc in Public Policy.

He has over 15 years of experience designing and delivering building projects, and has wide-ranging expertise in policy analysis, energy modelling, buildings decarbonisation and construction.

Oliver Zanetti is a senior mission manager in Nesta’s sustainable future mission which focuses on decarbonisation of home heating.

Oliver leads on innovative work on growing the skills and capacity of the heat pump sector, setting the direction for the mission and overseeing a range of research and innovation projects that advance these goals.

Oliver has published numerous reports and launched national schemes to grow the workforce. He is an experienced public speaker.

Oliver has brought new insights and ideas to the skills sector – with real impact. From large scale sector surveys, to groundbreaking schemes to upskill gas engineers with heat pump installation skills.

Ed Morris is Technical Manager at Altecnic and has been part of the company for 5 years.

He has a wealth of experience, having worked in the heating, ventilation, air conditioning and plumbing industry for over 18 years, after beginning his career as an apprentice.

Previously to joining Altecnic, Ed specialised in offsite construction solutions, namely designing and installing packaged plant rooms.

Emma is the Managing Director of IMS Heat Pumps. Established in 1997, IMS Heat Pumps design, supply, install, service & maintain ground, air and water source heat pumps from offices based in Sheffield, England and Perth, Scotland.

Emma has been leading IMS since 2019, working with people who have been involved in the heat pump business since Emma first met a heat pump in 2002.

IMS are MCS Accredited, Which? Trusted Traders and Heat Geek Certified. Emma sits on the CIBSE Heat Pump working group, the MCS Installer Forum and is Vice-Chair of the HPA UK.

Nathan has been with Panasonic for the past three years, during which time he has played a key role in expanding the company’s Air-to-Water heat pump portfolio within the UK market.

He spent two and a half years leading the residential new-build sector, where he helped drive adoption of low-carbon heating solutions and supported the growth of Panasonic’s presence in this strategically important area.

In December 2025, Nathan was appointed Head of Heating, taking responsibility for the overall direction and development of Panasonic’s heating business in the UK, with a focus on innovation, market growth, and the transition to sustainable heating technologies.

Sean Hogan is the founder of Aventus Eco and one of Scotland’s leading voices on heat pumps & Solar. He was voted Scotland’s Best Heating Installer in 2026 and is known for its technical, design first approach.

Richard Lowes is an internationally recognised expert in clean heating, gas transitions and energy policy. He leads RAP’s global work on heat and buildings within our Global Expertise Centre, and provides strategic support across RAP’s Europe programme.

With over 15 years of experience spanning industry, academia and direct policy engagement, Richard has been a leading voice in shaping the transition towards clean heat and buildings.

Since joining RAP in 2021, he has coordinated major strands of RAP’s heating work and provided thought leadership on the issues of heat pump deployment and gas infrastructure. He also chairs the Clean Heat Forum international policy network and serves as vice-president of the Cool Heating Coalition, helping connect policymakers and practitioners driving rapid heat decarbonisation.

Richard has advised governments at the highest levels. He has served since 2019 as a non-executive member of the Scottish Government’s Heat Decarbonisation Advisory Board, and he currently chairs their Energy Performance Certificate Reform working group.

He has also provided oral evidence to multiple UK parliamentary select committees, acted as an expert advisor to the National Audit Office investigation into the Renewable Heat Incentive, and contributed to the 2020 Climate Assembly UK as an advocate for sustainable heating. In 2023–24, he was appointed specialist advisor to the House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee’s inquiry into the electrification of the UK economy.

Before joining RAP, Richard worked in the UK energy industry with SSE and SGN, leading policy and public affairs work relating to heat and gas networks. He then moved to the University of Exeter, where he completed a doctorate in heat policy and politics and delivered a portfolio of influential research projects.

He continues as an honorary lecturer at Exeter and has lectured undergraduate and postgraduate students on energy and environmental policy.

Across his career, Richard has built a strong track record of delivering high-impact research, strategic insight and public communication on heat decarbonisation—work that has shaped thinking across government, industry and civil society.

He holds a first-class honours degree in geography and environmental management, a master’s degree (with distinction) in energy policy, and a doctorate focused on the development of UK sustainable heating policy. Richard is a Fellow of the Energy Institute and a Chartered Environmentalist with the Society for the Environment.

Dr Matthew Aylott is a senior policy advisor with nearly two decades of experience shaping energy and climate policy across government, industry, and academia.

As Electrification of Heat Strategy Lead at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, he oversees the development and delivery of policies designed to accelerate the UK’s transition to low-carbon energy systems.

Before joining the Civil Service, Matthew advised on consumer-focused energy policy at Which? and led engagement between researchers and policymakers at the UK Energy Research Centre.

He holds a PhD from the University of Southampton and is a Policy Fellow at the University of Cambridge Centre for Science and Policy.

Joanna O’Loan from Energy Saving Trust supports households with advice on home energy improvements and regularly helps people navigate common heat pump questions around comfort, performance and running costs.

Drawing on these real-world experiences, she will share insights into the concerns householders most often raise and how clear communication and effective handovers can help installers set customers up for success.

Dan is the Market Development Director at MCS, the UK’s quality mark for small-scale renewable technologies that are installed in homes and small businesses.

Dan focuses on growing the market for renewable energy technologies, such as solar panels and heat pumps, in the UK. He is a respected speaker and recognised authority on the action required at government and industry level to increase and sustain momentum in the home-grown energy market.

His experience in growth management and strategic planning spans multiple sectors, including two spells in renewables dating back to 2010. Dan’s skills and strong commercial focus are underpinned by a genuine passion for supporting people’s journeys to decarbonisation, low-temperature heat and the transition to net zero.

Steve is a Sector Skills Manager at MCS, the UK’s quality mark for small-scale renewable technologies that are installed in homes and small businesses.

Steve’s work focuses on skills and competence in the supply chain. In his role, he is contributing to the UK-wide effort to help people transition into low-carbon energy careers, both from within the industry and beyond, including through the development of the Low Carbon Heating Technician Apprenticeship (LCHTA) Standard.

Steve’s expertise in skills and training is underpinned by a genuine passion for celebrating high-quality training in the UK and supporting strong standards as the workforce undergoes the rapid growth needed to meet net-zero targets.

Steve brings a wealth of experience to MCS, having started his career as a plumber before moving into technical skills training and leadership development, as well as undertaking assessments and quality assurance in the education standards sector. He established a network of successful training centres on the South Coast, working with local authorities and education trusts.

Neil currently heads up business development and technical management for renewables at City Plumbing Supplies.

With nearly 25 years in the heating and renewables sector, including a decade of hands-on experience as an onsite engineer, Neil has held senior roles across technical support, specification sales, and training for leading manufacturers.

He is a passionate advocate for making heat pump technology accessible and relatable for skilled plumbing and heating installers.

Rachel leads the industrial strategy work at Energy UK, looking at how the energy sector can work with commercial and industrial sectors to decarbonise, and how the energy transition can help develop UK supply chains and skills to maximise economic growth.

Rachel joined Energy UK from DESNZ, where she was Head of Policy for the Review of Electricity Market Arrangements (REMA).

She has 20 years’ experience working across a wide range of energy and climate policy roles in regional government, consultancy and the energy industry.

Kerri Perks is the Director of Sales & Operations at Renewables Centre, part of Wolseley. She leads the delivery of services designed to help installers successfully enter and grow within the renewables sector, including training, MCS-certified system design, technical support, and installation services.

With extensive experience in commercial leadership, operational excellence, and business development, Kerri is passionate about making renewables accessible and profitable for installers.

Working closely with industry partners, manufacturers, and customers, she focuses on helping businesses build the skills, confidence, and support networks needed to succeed in the UK’s fast-growing low-carbon heating and renewable energy market.

Mark Williams is the new Head of Policy and Communications at HPA UK.

Mark joins HPA UK from EDF Energy, where he led work on electricity market reform in his role as Senior Net Zero Strategy and Policy Adviser.

Prior to this, he established the policy analysis team at Energy UK, using insight-led advocacy to explain and shape energy policy, including the reform of electricity policy costs to support heat electrification.

Before specialising in decarbonisation, Mark worked across industry, consultancy and the third sector in areas including poverty, housing and criminal justice. He holds a degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics from the University of Oxford and is dedicated to developing evidence-led, politically salient policy and communicating it effectively to accelerate the adoption of clean heating and the wider energy transition.

In his new role, Mark will spearhead HPA UK’s policy and communications strategy, working with members, policymakers and stakeholders to accelerate the growth of the heat pump sector and support the UK’s net zero ambitions.

Hamid has worked with Daikin for over 15 years in a variety of roles, including product applications, HVAC design and, currently, Product Manager, where he leads a team of product specialists covering all aspects of residential renewable heating.

He specialises in heat pumps, renewables and net zero, and has more than 17 years of experience across HVAC, product management, legislation and sales.

As Head of Training at Vaillant Group UK, Laura Thomas has more than 13 years’ experience in the heating industry. She leads the strategic development of industry-leading learning programmes that support the company’s commitment to innovation, sustainability and technical excellence, while overseeing technical training for both internal colleagues and external customers.

A passionate advocate for professional development, Laura champions inclusive learning pathways and opportunities for people of all ages, both within the business and across educational institutions, including schools and universities. She extends this commitment to the wider industry by developing programmes and initiatives that help heating engineers build knowledge and expertise in Vaillant heating systems.

Laura is an active member of industry trailblazer groups, helping to drive the upskilling of heating engineers and secure the future workforce of the sector.

She also serves as Chair of the Residential Training Working Group for the HPA, where she brings a holistic perspective on industry training to shape discussions, provide clarity and help deliver practical outcomes.

With over 25 years of experience in the heating industry, Paul Thorney brings a wealth of expertise and leadership to Air2Heat Ltd. After serving in the military, Paul began his career in the residential gas heating sector, later expanding into air source heat pumps and air conditioning around a decade ago.

In 2020, Paul became Director of Air2Heat Ltd, an MCS-certified company delivering heating and cooling solutions for both residential and commercial clients, including system design, consultation, installation and commissioning.

The company also provides aftersales support, including service and maintenance. Under Paul’s direction, Air2Heat Ltd has become a trusted service partner of Panasonic Heating & Cooling Solutions in the UK.

With more than 25 years’ experience in the HVAC industry, Steve has built a wealth of knowledge through working closely with the whole supply chain of the built environment.

As Daikin UK’s Sustainability and Commercial Solutions Manager, Steve has a passion for assisting with the design and delivery of HVAC solutions, with an emphasis on reducing whole-life carbon.

David Adams has a broad base of experience in retrofit, new home building, manufacturing and policy. He is Strategic Advisor to the Future Homes Hub, a Director of the Good Homes Alliance, and advises the UK Green Building Council (UKGBC) and the Energy Efficiency Infrastructure Group (EEIG).

David shares his expertise in low-energy building and manufacturing to help housebuilders, and the construction industry more broadly, deliver net zero homes at scale.

Richard joined The MCS Foundation in 2021 and is a sustainability research, consulting and project management professional with over fifteen years’ experience across the private, public and third sectors.

He holds degrees in both natural and social sciences, including a doctorate from the University of East Anglia focusing on the contested role of community in tackling climate change. Following his doctorate, he conducted ethnographic research into the role smart technologies can play in managing domestic energy demand in one of the first studies of its kind.

His research and consultancy work has had an impact on projects including the redevelopment of the London Olympic Park, smart-home technology design and implementation, and local council waste and recycling policy.

In his current role, his focus is on delivering strong, research-based evidence to support the Foundation’s goal of a world where everyone has access to affordable and reliable renewable energy and low-carbon technologies.

Katherine Wright is the Director of Policy and Scheme Development, Ofgem Delivery & Schemes.

Her team works closely with policy teams at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), using Ofgem’s delivery expertise to help turn policy intent into effective scheme design and successful delivery.

Ian Little is a Business Development Manager at Resideo and the company’s representative on the Heat Pump Association (HPA).

With over 25 years’ experience in the HVAC industry, Ian works closely with a wide range of UK heating manufacturers and industry stakeholders.

He has a particular focus on heat pumps and heating controls, drawing on his experience across the sector to share practical insights into the evolving role of controls and the different approaches being adopted to optimise heat pump performance.

Poppy Szkiler is the CEO & Founder of Quiet Mark, the global certification programme public-health campaign. Quiet Mark provides expert third-party acoustic performance verification of building-sector and consumer products, providing a free online guide to help specifiers, installers and households easily find verified low-noise high-performance products and acoustic solutions for unwanted noise.

Poppy is the granddaughter of John Connell OBE, who lobbied for the Noise Pollution Act through Parliament and founded The Noise Abatement Society in 1959. Quiet Mark’s third-generation platform leads a groundbreaking business strategy to reduce noise pollution with the Buy-Quiet and Design-Quiet movement alongside Quiet Mark’s Find Your Quiet national campaign.

The Sunday Times newspaper named Poppy “the Queen of Quiet” in a 2021 feature story. A passionate campaigner on the impact of sound on well-being for the past decade and a half, she is regularly asked to contribute as a spokeswoman for international news features including TV & radio.

Poppy is also a successful film producer, artist and actress, starring in both Hollywood movies and popular UK TV dramas. Her feature film release In Pursuit of Silence, as Executive Producer in partnership with Quiet Mark, premiered as a critical hit with a worldwide cinema and streaming release following a successful international film festival run.

For Quiet Mark’s 15th anniversary in 2026, Poppy wrote and Executive Produced Take On Me: A Quiet Love Story, an animated short film tribute to A-ha’s iconic 1984 Take On Me music video, reimagined to bring to life the impact of noise and the world of sound in our everyday lives. The film was screened across major UK shows in the Quiet Mark touring cinema, as well as through national YouTube and TV campaigns.

Louise has worked in the business since 2002. She oversees the amazing team now led by Dax in his role of General Manager. Louise problem solves, steers and supports, encouraging training, work life balance and uncompromising quality throughout the Company.

Louise is extremely proud of her role in growing R A Brown from a micro business into the thriving SME it is today. She believes this successful growth has been possible because of R A Brown’s belief in renewable heating and an ability to communicate this to the customer.

In her spare time she has recently qualified as a Nutritional Therapist and her eclectic interests include dancing, walking the dog, history, photography and art. She also loves reading inspirational books and watching murder mysteries. Louise’s favourite place to visit is Barcelona or anywhere warm with Roman ruins.