NEWS & APPOINTMENTS
Polypipe Building Services equips future engineers with real-world skills
Polypipe Building Services is helping to bridge the gap between education and employment by providing hands-on training for the next generation of building services engineers at its Aylesford training centre.
Designed to complement college- based learning, the sessions give engineers, designers and specifiers direct experience working with modern drainage and water supply systems, including plastic soil and waste, HDPE, MLCP and prefabricated assemblies. These materials are now
commonplace in the industry, yet are still underrepresented in many traditional plumbing and heating courses. As such, the company is calling for an industry-wide shift in how the sector trains and equips its next generation of professionals. Through the sessions, Polypipe is helping new and experienced plumbing professionals understand how modern systems are designed, fabricated and installed, giving them the confidence and practical knowledge to step onto site fully prepared for the demands of contemporary construction. Steve Bamforth, UK strategic project director at Polypipe Building Services, explains: “The industry is evolving faster than the way we train people. Many trainees come to us highly skilled in traditional methods, but unfamiliar with the modern materials and systems they’ll encounter in today’s projects. Our sessions are designed to bridge that gap and combine real-world application with technical insight.” Recent sessions at Aylesford have welcomed participants from leading consultancies and education providers, including Buro Happold, Foster + Partners, Stantec and Waltham College. Graham Hicks, project development manager at Polypipe Building Services, added:
“We can’t expect new entrants to solve the industry’s challenges if they’re being trained with only a fraction of the industry’s materials. By opening our doors and sharing our knowledge, we’re supporting the sector’s long-term skills development and ensuring new engineers are ready for all types of on-site work.” With partnerships including CIBSE, SoPHE YEN and leading consultancies, Polypipe Building Services’ training programme forms part of its wider commitment to collaboration across the sector. The company believes that a more joined-up approach between manufacturers, educators and professional bodies is essential if training standards are to keep pace with modern construction.
Wolseley report highlights opportunities and challenges in heat pump transition
Wolseley Group, the specialist merchant and parent company of Plumb Centre and Renewables Centre, has published a new report highlighting both the scale of the UK’s transition to heat pumps and the real opportunity this presents for the installer community. Shared at a Westminster reception hosted by Matt Western MP, the report shows that heat pump installations must increase 15-fold to meet the UK’s Net Zero targets. Hitting this target means rapidly
expanding the trained installer base and removing barriers that currently make the switch harder than it needs to be.
Key findings include: • The UK will need seven times more trained installers by 2035, with some areas, like Lancashire requiring an eight-fold increase
• Installers moving into heat pumps could earn £9,145 more per year than those focusing solely on boilers Consumer interest is growing: 26% of homeowners are now likely to install a heat pump, up from 19% in 2021
Wolseley has already begun scaling up to meet demand. The business has invested in a 100,000 sq ft fulfilment centre, opened Renewables Centre locations across the UK, and trained more than 250 installers since June 2025. Its Nesta-backed Start at Home scheme gives installers access to free training, up to £7,500 worth of materials, and full MCS support, giving them confidence and practical experience by fitting a heat pump in their own home. John Hancock, chief operating officer at Wolseley Group, said: “Installers are at the heart of the UK’s low-carbon future and they can’t be expected to make the transition alone. Our report highlights not just the scale of the challenge, but the practical support needed to get there: training, investment in supply chains, and clear long-term policy signals. We’ve seen this kind of transformation before, when Wolseley helped drive the rollout of gas heating in the 70s and 80s. Now we have an opportunity to do it again, supporting the trade to grow their businesses and lead the shift to low-carbon heating.”
Wolseley’s policy recommendations include: • Extending the Heat Training Grant to March 2029 and rolling it out across Scotland and Wales
• Publishing clear timelines for the Future Homes Standard and Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards
• Strengthening consumer protection and supporting a flexible approach – so installers can choose the right solution for each home.
4 BUILDING SERVICES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER DECEMBER 2025 Appointments
Ovia welcomes new area sales manager for South Wales and surrounding regions
Ovia has appointed Barnaby Chapman as area sales manager, covering South Wales, Worcestershire, Herefordshire and Gloucestershire. In his new role, Barnaby will be instrumental in driving the
growth, awareness, and continued success of the Ovia brand across the region. He will work closely with electrical wholesalers and contractors to deliver tailored lighting solutions across a wide range of applications. His remit includes providing bespoke lighting designs and supporting customers with comprehensive, project-specific advice, further strengthening Ovia’s presence in the marketplace. Barnaby’s role will also see him collaborating with other brands within the wider Scolmore
Group, including Click Scolmore, Elucian, ESP, and Unicrimp, allowing for an enhanced and integrated product offering to meet the evolving needs of the electrical industry. Barnaby brings with him four years of experience in the electrical wholesale sector, having held both internal and external sales positions. His solid grounding in customer- focused roles gives him valuable insight into the needs and challenges of the industry, making him a strong asset to the Ovia team. This appointment forms part of Ovia’s ongoing commitment to invest in regional support and deliver outstanding service and solutions to its customer base.
DAB Pumps strengthens northern presence with key appointment
DAB Pumps has announced the appointment of Carolyn Bainbridge as area sales manager North, further strengthening the company’s UK sales team as it continues to expand its presence and support for installers, merchants and contractors across the region. With more than 30 years’ experience spanning client
relationship management, people leadership and business development across multiple industries, Carolyn brings a wealth of transferable skills and a proven ability to build trusted, long-term relationships. Valued for her proactive and people-centred approach, she has led teams to deliver measurable improvements in both operational efficiency and customer satisfaction throughout her career.
Commenting on her appointment, Carolyn says: “I’m thrilled to be joining DAB Pumps at such an exciting time for the business. The brand has a strong reputation for innovation and reliability, but what really stands out is its commitment to people - both customers and colleagues. Adam Ferneyhough, country director for the UK & Ireland, adds: “Carolyn’s appointment is another important step in enhancing our regional structure and supporting our customers nationwide. Her experience in relationship management and team leadership makes her a perfect fit for DAB’s collaborative culture. “We’re confident that her energy and customer-focused mindset will help us build even
stronger connections across the North – ensuring that our partners experience the same level of innovation and service that defines the DAB brand.”
Cistermiser builds for the future with the appointment of national sales manager
Cistermiser has appointed Mark Tucker as national sales manager, marking a key step in the company’s ongoing plans to strengthen its position in the commercial washroom and water-management sector. With over 15 years of sales experience, Mark brings a wealth of commercial knowledge and industry understanding to the role. Having spent nearly a decade driving growth across a range of commercial sectors, he joins Cistermiser with a clear brief – to build stronger relationships with customers, develop new routes to market and support continued expansion in both retrofit and new-build environments. “Cistermiser has a proud engineering heritage and an exciting product roadmap,” says Mark. “But what really stands out is the opportunity to work more closely with clients, to help them achieve meaningful water and energy savings. The business has great foundations and the next step is amplifying that story across more sectors.” Reporting directly to Managing Director Richard Braid, Mark will oversee a growing national sales team. His focus will be on developing the team’s commercial capability and ensuring customers receive the highest levels of technical support and service. “Mark’s appointment reinforces our long-term commitment to growth,” comments
Richard. “We’re investing in leadership, people and innovation to make sure we stay ahead in a changing marketplace. His experience with national clients and large-scale projects adds real depth to the team as we look to accelerate our next phase.”
Read the latest at:
www.bsee.co.uk
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