PHAM NEWS | OCTOBER 2026 8 News Review


Donation to help kit out Euston Skills


The Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE) has teamed up with the International Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Foundation (IWSH) to donate equipment used at this year’s UK Skills Forum to Euston Skills Centre in London, where it will be used to train the next generation of plumbing and heating engineers. The


invitational UK Skills


Forum took place at this year’s InstallerSHOW in June and was part of the World Plumbing Conference, organised by the CIPHE and World Plumbing Council. The Skills Forum, featuring tradespeople from 16 countries, was designed to give plumbing and heating competitors the chance to put their training to the test as they prepare for the WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 competition. Determined to build a lasting legacy from the conference, and unwilling to


see equipment go to waste, the CIPHE turned to IWSH, a global social impact organisation based in Ireland, to help find the kits a good home. Working together and with the help of Camden Council and The Plumber Awards 2026 winner, Louchavan Lemard (pictured above, left, with Jerry Whiteley, CIPHE technical manager), Euston Skills Centre was identified as the worthy beneficiary. Further donations were made to Treloar School in Alton, a specialist education centre for young disabled people to live and learn.


Podcast explores installers fitting heat pumps at home


A new episode of Grant UK’s Net Zero Heating Show podcast explores how installing heat pumps in installers’ own homes could help build confidence in the tech- nology. Hosted by Grant UK’s Anna Wakefield, the episode features Nesta Mission Manager Shaan Jindal and installers Dave Phillips and Robert Lake, who have both completed Grant’s Start with Grant scheme. The discussion covers Nesta’s


Start at Home pilot, barriers to installers adopting heat pumps and the experience of living with an air source heat pump. Dave and Robert also share their experiences of installing Grant Aerona 290 systems in their homes after receiving training and fully funded systems through the scheme. They discuss what they learned, the support they received and how gaining firsthand experience could


Norfolk installation firm opens £1.3m headquarters


Winners in Denmark


This year’s Heating Installer Awards winners joined Danfoss representatives in Denmark to officially open its new ‘Seeing is Believing’ visitor experience at the company’s Silkeborg headquarters. The revamped facility offers visitors an interactive look at Danfoss’s heating heritage, products and manufacturing processes, including an opportunity to view one of the first thermostatic radiator valves (TRV) produced by founder Mads Clausen in 1943 and see how they have evolved into the technology available today.


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Norfolk heating and renewables company Macbrook Group has opened a new £1.3m headquarters in Snetterton, with Big Issue founder Lord John Bird MBE cutting the ribbon. The new Macbrook House will support


the company’s growing operations across heating, renewables and utilities, while also incorporating a co-working facility for entrepreneurs and growing businesses. The opening event raised funds for employment and enterprise initiatives through Macbrook’s partnerships with The Big Issue and community interest company Social Brokers. Macbrook has supported several initiatives to help people facing barriers to employment, including funding for a dedicated jobs coach. Guests at the launch enjoyed a drinks


NEWS IN BRIEF


◼ The Honeywell Home evohome smart zoning thermostat has scooped the Heating Product of the Year award at the 2026 Association of Safety and Compliance Professionals (ASCP) Awards, recognising its contribution to supporting the evolving needs of the UK’s social housing and retrofit sectors.


help them build heat pump work into their businesses. Anna Wakefield says: “Shaan,


Dave and Robert all shared valuable insights, and we hope listeners enjoy this episode and discover how living with a heat pump can equip installers with the knowledge they need to make the transition to fitting heat pumps in their customers’ homes.” This latest episode is available


on Apple podcasts, Spotify and via Grant UK’s website. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/1026/08


◼ The On The Tools card has passed 30,000 members, just four months after launch. The app combines discounts from more than 150 brands across tools, materials, fuel and leisure with mental health support and wellbeing content delivered through a joint venture with On Wellbeing.


◼ Stiebel Eltron has simplified packaging for around 150 water heater products, reducing the number of corrugated board grades by more than 75%. White digital printing on brown corrugated board provides a consistent appearance while allowing flexible designs for different products and markets.


◼ NIBE Energy Systems has teamed up with heating installer Installio to support newly formed Long Melford FC Women’s team as the team prepares to kick off its first competitive season. The sponsorship has helped fund the team’s start-up costs, as well as a full NIBE-branded away kit and warm-up tops for its 20-player squad.


Lord John Bird MBE (l) cuts the ribbon to open Macbrook House alongside Johnathan McKenna, chief executive of Macbrook Group


reception, live entertainment and a charity auction. The new headquarters has been created to provide a permanent base for the group as it expands its activities across the heating, renewables, utilities, construction and property sectors.


◼ Following a 462% increase in air conditioning enquiries as UK demand for cooling grows, Midlands-based Custom Heat has rebranded as Custom Heat & Cool. Every part of the business is covered by the new name, including the company’s South West arm.


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