PHAM NEWS | APRIL 2026 6 News Review


Apprentices in running for Screwfi x accolade


Two aspiring plumbing and heating engineers from the UK have been announced as semi- fi nalists for this year’s Screwfi x Trade Apprentice competition. 20-year-old Cary Rudd (left) from Manchester and 18-year- old Harvey Robinson (right) from Ilkley have beaten more than 3,000 applicants across the UK and Ireland to secure a place in the semi-fi nal. They are both now in with a


chance of claiming the coveted title and taking home an impressive £10,000 trade bundle made up of tools, tech and training. The semi- fi nal stage will see 37 apprentices face an interview to hopefully secure their place in the final, which will take place at Google HQ in April. Cary is currently undertaking


a City and Guilds in Plumbing and Heating at Salford City Skills. Cary comments: “To have been selected from a record number of applications is a huge


New online brand for radiators


A new UK-based online heating brand has been launched by bathroom retailer Drench. Toasty will specialise in design-led radiators and heated towel rails and is aimed at those who believe that radiators should be seen, not just felt. With a bold new identity


achievement for me. I’m excited about the prospect of representing Manchester on a national stage. “I’ve really enjoyed my apprenticeship and learned so much along the way. I love the people I encounter at work, and every day is different. Seeing a project from start to fi nish gives such a sense of accomplishment, and I’d love to be able to help other young people get into trades.” Harvey says: “I’m excited to have


made it to the semi-fi nals. I hope that my commitment to the trade will be recognised by the judges and I will do everything I can to try and make it to the fi nal.” The 12th annual Screwfix


Trade Apprentice competition is a national platform which recognises and celebrates apprentices, whilst also highlighting the crucial contribution they make to the industry. Jack Wallace, marketing


director at Screwfi x, says: “With apprentices so important to the future success of the industry, it is great to see that we have received a record number of entries this year. To make it through to the highly contested semi-fi nal stage is a fantastic achievement, and I wish this year’s semi-fi nalists the very best of luck in making it to the fi nal.” ◼ phamnews.co.uk/426/03


designed to bridge the gap between functional trade products and high-end interior design, Toasty replaces its predecessor, Only Radiators, as part of the Beyond Retail family which also includes Tap Warehouse. Selling to both trade (with sitewide discounts available on listed and sale prices) and direct to consumers, the launch introduces 355+ new product lines, including horizontal and vertical radiators, heated towel rails and underfl oor heating systems. The site also introduces a dedicated electric heating category, alongside ‘Toasty Extras’, a design- led feature that pairs valves and accessories with specifi c products to streamline specifi cation and simplify the buying journey. The new site also off ers a BTU calculator, allowing customers to fi nd


the most appropriate heating solution, as well as off ering faster product delivery and free standard UK delivery on most orders. “Radiators and towel rails are no longer just functional fi xtures hidden


in the background, they are integral to home design,” says MD Elliot- Lees Bell. “We want to emotionally engage a £1.1bn UK market with something that refl ects the shift we’re seeing in the industry, off ering a brand that’s stylish and down-to-earth.” ◼ phamnews.co.uk/426/04


Backing for off -grid hybrids


In support of millions of off-grid households facing rising energy costs, the Heating and Hotwater Industry Council (HHIC) and OFTEC have jointly written to the government calling for urgent policy action, including subsidies for hybrid heating systems. In a letter to Energy Consumers Minister


Support for water sector proposals


The UK government’s recent water sector reform proposals have been welcomed by Richard Braid, MD of Cistermiser and Kerafl o, manufacturers of water management systems. “This is a long-overdue and ambitious strategy


to future-proof the UK’s water system,” says Braid. “The White Paper is clear in its direction – smarter regulation, cleaner water, and resilient infrastructure. But turning that vision into real-world change will require trusted technologies and supply chain partners that can deliver at scale.” With its Direct Flush infrared-controlled systems, which eliminate the need for cisterns, Cistermiser has long been promoting one of the Paper’s central themes – the need for smarter, more effi cient water usage to reduce strain on treatment infrastructure. “The Paper rightly calls for a shift towards ‘pre-


pipe’ solutions,” Richard Braid continues. “We need to reduce unnecessary fl ow at the point of use such as taps, WCs, urinals, tanks. Whether it’s non-touch washroom controls or demand-driven fl ush systems, our products cut usage without compromising performance or hygiene.” ◼ phamnews.co.uk/426/05


Martin McCluskey, the organisations highlight the ongoing challenges for around four million UK homes that are not connected to the mains gas grid and instead rely on heating oil or LPG for their heating and hot water. These households are particularly vulnerable during periods of global energy volatility, as heating oil and LPG are not covered by the energy price cap. Recent international events have driven sharp increases in fuel costs, leaving many consumers exposed to sudden and signifi cant price rises. While welcoming the government’s recently announced £53 million support package for vulnerable off -grid households, HHIC and OFTEC stress that longer-term, structural solutions are needed to reduce exposure to volatile fossil fuel markets. The organisations are urging ministers to prioritise hybrid heating systems – combining a traditional oil or LPG boiler with an air source heat pump and smart controls – as part of the UK’s wider energy and decarbonisation strategy. It is argued that such systems offer


a more accessible and cost-effective transition for off-grid homes, while delivering up to 80% of a home’s annual heating demand through the heat pump, signifi cantly reducing fuel consumption,


lowering emissions, and improving energy resilience. HHIC and OFTEC claim that if hybrid


systems had been eligible for support under the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS), many households would already be benefi ting from lower energy bills and reduced reliance on oil.


Call to action They are calling on the government to:


• Include hybrid heating systems


within the Boiler Upgrade Scheme • Provide targeted support for off -grid


households • Adopt a more fl exible, technology-


inclusive approach to decarbonisation The organisations say such measures


would not only help cut consumer bills but also reduce the need for costly emergency interventions in future. In addition to hybrid systems, the letter


highlights the role of renewable liquid fuels such as hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), which are less exposed to global fossil fuel price shocks. Strong public support for these alternatives has already been demonstrated through recent government consultations. HHIC director Stewart Clements says: “Members of both HHIC and OFTEC are standing ready to work with government to deliver practical, aff ordable and low- carbon heating solutions for off-grid homes. A balanced approach – combining hybrid systems, renewable fuels and targeted support – will be essential to protect consumers, strengthen energy security and meet the UK’s net zero goals.”


AC Wilgar, the award-winning Kent- based plumbing and heating business, has been acquired by The Perpetuity Project, a company that specialises in growing small and medium-sized businesses. Founded in 1985 by Billy Wilgar


(pictured above receiving the Domestic Installation of the Year Award at last year’s Energy Saving Awards), the company has grown significantly and built a strong reputation as a trusted service provider to thousands of homeowners and businesses across London and the SouthEast. Billy says: “Building this business


has been a huge part of my life, so fi nding the right partner was about far more than just the deal – it was about protecting our culture and setting the business up for the future. From day one, The Perpetuity Project just felt right. They understand what we’ve built, they value our people, and they share our long-term vision – which gives me real confidence and excitement for what comes next.”


AC Wilgar has new owners


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