PHAM NEWS | APRIL 2026 10 News Review


Regional winners of the Plumber Awards


The regional winners of the 2026 Plumber Awards have been announced. The inaugural awards, brought to the sector by the same team as the long- running Heating Installer Awards, celebrate the very best plumbers in the UK, who go above and beyond for their customers and deliver fantastic work, every time. Winners were selected by a panel


of industry experts, professional associations and experienced plumbers after a full day of judging. The team commented that entries were of an incredibly high standard, setting a high bar in the awards’ first year. Congratulations to all the regional winners:


Lemard, PH247 Ltd • East Midlands & East Anglia:


• Northern Ireland and Scotland:


Jack Fenton, Reid Energy Solutions • North East: James Bell-Taylor,


JBT Plumbing and Heating


How to avoid potential


disputes over scrap copper


With copper prices remaining high by historical standards, tradespeople often want to keep any remaining scrap metal from completed jobs. However, this can cause friction, with online forums showing customer frustration. As a result, waste management experts at Divert have clarified the rules around scrap metal removal. Who owns removed scrap copper? Legally, any copper removed


during a job remains the property of the homeowner unless explicitly agreed otherwise. It’s common for many tradespeople to factor scrap metal value into job quotes, but this must be clearly communicated to avoid disputes. The best approach is to include


this up front in writing, agreeing whether scrap materials (and any other waste) will be retained by the contractor or left with the client. If you are removing any kind of waste from a site as part of your business, you must register as a waste carrier with the Environment Agency or work with a legitimate broker to provide waste removal services. This applies to all kinds of waste, whether that’s construction material or valuable scrap metal like copper pipes. Tradespeople usually need an


upper-tier waste carrier licence, and failure to register can result in fines, prosecution or vehicle seizure. What about if you sell the copper?


• Central London: Louchavan


Karl Donovan, Independent Water Solutions


• North West: Mirosla v


Tomcisak, Plumbisimo Ltd • South East: Steve Gray, Steve


Gray Gas Services Ltd • South East Highly Com-


mended: Tom Twomey, Gas Tech Heating


• South West: Sally King, Sally’s


Pipe Dream • Wales: Jack Ashley, JA


Plumbing and Heating Services • Wales Highly Commended:


Zakeer Hafiz, Nova Plumbers • West Midlands: Ashley Kirby,


Kirby and Co. Luxe Renovations Ltd


• Yorkshire & Humber: Luke


Thomson, Luke The Plumber All regional winners will face two


additional steps in their quest to be crowned the national winner of The Plumber Awards 2026. A public vote is now live and to support the plumber you feel is most deserving of the national title, visit: www. plumberawards.co.uk/vote/shortlist. The


complete a technical challenge set by the CIPHE. The national winner will be crowned on stage at the InstallerSHOW, to be held at the NEC in Birmingham in June 2026.


Commercial service division gives installers more access


As part of its ongoing investment in service and innovation in the UK, Ideal Commercial Heating has created a new division that gives customers “unparalleled” access to commissioning, warranty, servicing, and breakdown support through a dedicated nationwide team of highly skilled engineers. This means faster response times, greater efficiency, and a high standard of technical expertise across the full range of Ideal Commercial Heating products, including boilers and heat pumps. Customers can now rely on next-


day breakdown response under warranty, supported by a 90% first time fix rate on condensing commercial boilers, keeping downtime to an absolute minimum. Reporting has also been streamlined, with commissioning and service documentation delivered within three working days. “With the launch of the Commercial


regional winners will


Service Division, we have set a new industry benchmark,” says Darren Finley, MD for commercial products. “Our industry-leading products are now backed by an industry-leading dedicated nationwide service delivered


by highly experienced and skilled professionals. “The launch of this division is a


major step forward, enabling us to deliver a stronger, more consistent, best-in-class service expe r i e nc e


for


e v e r y


customer. It’s about ensuring we are the most responsive in the industry, making us the easiest to work with, and clearly setting us apart as leaders in the commercial marketpla c e . It shows commitment to doing things better for our customers every single day.” ◼ phamnews.co.uk/426/08


Celebrating three decades in heating


Grant UK is marking its 30th anniversary, having grown from a family-run start-up into a recognised name in oil-fired and renewable heating. Founded in 1996 by MD Paul


Wakefield in partnership with Irish owners Stephen Grant and John Fay, the company began by introducing oil-fired boilers to the UK market. Over the past three decades, the firm


If you plan to sell any scrap metal,


additional regulations may apply under the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013. You may need a scrap metal dealer’s licence if you regularly sell scrap metal or generate an income, and you must be careful to only sell materials to authorised dealers. What’s the best practice? Communicate clearly and openly


with customers about your preference for valuable and other waste. If you do offer to remove any waste, make sure you are registered as a licensed waste carrier or work with a reputable waste management company. Understand if scrap metal rules


also apply to you. Keep records of waste handling activities in case of future complaint or investigation. John Verity, waste management expert at Divert, comments: “If your intention isn’t made clear, this can lead to customer disputes, so agreements must be made in advance. Alongside this, checking you have all the correct licensing or that partners are regulated means you protect yourself, your finances, and your livelihood.” ◼ phamnews.co.uk/426/10


has expanded its product range and invested in new technologies. One of its early developments, the Grant Vortex condensing oil-fired boiler, was


More recently, Grant UK has


broadened its focus to include renewable heating systems, including its Aerona air source heat pump range. The company says this reflects its ongoing involvement in the transition towards lower-carbon heating. “Reaching 30 years is something


introduced as efficiency standards in the sector were evolving. The company


says the product


contributed to improvements in energy efficiency and helped position it ahead of regulatory changes.


Central hub for building services guidance


A new online directory aimed at helping building services professionals navigate industry guidance has been launched by BSRIA, the built environment research and consultancy organisation. The BSRIA Guide of Guides is an online directory


designed to help the building services community cut through a complex guidance landscape. It brings guidance from key industry associations and publishers together in one place, curated, organised and easy to navigate. As well as providing a speedy solution to finding


something specific, expert indexing allows users to readily explore wider guidance. Publications are indexed according to themes impacting the industry, building service categories and project stages, facilitating industry knowledge sharing and alignment. Kim Burgess, director of professional services at BSRIA, comments: “This platform, shaped by valued member feedback, makes it faster and easier to find accurate guidance when it’s needed.” The directory is now available to BSRIA members and


full-time students enrolled on building-services-related university courses. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/426/11


we’re incredibly proud of,” says Paul Wakefield. “The business is in a strong position and with the technology we now have and the people behind it, there are some very exciting years ahead for Grant UK.” ◼ phamnews.co.uk/426/09


Installers have the chance to win an underfloor heating system worth up to £5,000 in a new prize draw launched by RWC, the manufacturer behind JG Underfloor. Those who request a free quote from the JG Underfloor


heating experts before the 31st of May will automatically be entered into the running.


The competition marks the expansion of the JG


Underfloor range, now featuring an optimised Speedfit Push-Fit System and a brand-new JG Euroconus System. Engineered to suit different installation preferences, project requirements and budgets, the new systems give installers greater choice and flexibility when selecting the right solution for each project. Find out more by using the reader link below. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/426/12


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40