The MCS Foundation

Join us at the #HeatPumpSummit next week - register now using code MCSF20 for 20% off: https://lnkd.in/e2UJnJ7y Our Head of Research, Policy, and Campaigns, Richard Hauxwell-Baldwin, will take the stage as a keynote panellist to discuss Breaking Down Barriers for Heat Pump Adoption.    📅 Date: 15 April 2025  📍 Location: Blavatnik School Of Government, Oxford    From #policy and consumer confidence to grid capacity and #ElectricityPricing, Richard will dive into the challenges - and solutions - shaping the future of #HeatPumps in the UK.    At The MCS Foundation, we’re committed to accelerating the transition to #LowCarbon heating for homes across the country. This event is a great opportunity to engage with #industry leaders, local #government, and innovators who share that vision.    Will we see you there?   🎟️ Register now using code MCSF20 for 20% off: https://lnkd.in/e2UJnJ7y   Find out more about the summit: https://lnkd.in/eUzB5FXK  

Skilled #installers are the backbone of a #CleanEnergy future, which is why we developed the #LowCarbon Heating Technician Apprenticeship (#LCHTA) - the UK’s first #apprenticeship dedicated to low carbon heating solutions, including #HeatPumps, helping pave the way for a new generation of #GreenJobs.    But for this to happen, we need #training providers and #employers to get involved in delivering the LCHTA. That’s why The MCS Foundation is offering #grants to support the roll-out of this crucial apprenticeship:    - Training providers: Get up to £10,000 to improve delivery - whether that’s new equipment, staff training, or resources.  - Employers: Receive up to £2,000 per apprentice (max 3) to help with the costs of taking on and training new #talent.    Last year, these grants helped training providers expand their capacity and employers welcome skilled apprentices into the sector. Now, we’re excited to offer more funding for 2025 and 2026 to ensure a skilled #workforce for the UK’s #NetZero future.    Apply now! Funding is first come, first served: https://lnkd.in/e7vitDxC

We are delighted to welcome Dr Garry Felgate as the new CEO of The MCS Foundation, leading the charity and the MCS Group at a crucial moment in the UK’s mission to #decarbonise homes, heat, and energy.    With over 30 years of leadership experience spanning the private sector, civil society, and #government advisory roles, Garry brings a deep understanding of the #EnergyTransition. His impressive career includes senior positions at KPMG, Carbon Trust, AEA Technology, and the Energy Retail Association, as well as advisory roles at The Energy Saving Trust and UK Public Health Association.    Garry Felgate will be the first Chief Executive of the MCS Group, covering both The MCS Foundation and MCS.    Garry says: “It is an enormous honour to be joining The MCS Foundation, an organisation that excels in evidence-based research, ambitious policy work, and action-oriented programmes to drive change. More households than ever before are installing renewable energy in the UK, but we know we need to accelerate installations to meet climate goals. Now is a crucial time for that acceleration, and The MCS Group will be at the forefront of achieving it.”    Fabio Nehme, Chair of the Trustees, expressed his excitement for this next phase, stating that The MCS Foundation has become one of the leading voices in UK home decarbonisation, and "we could not be happier to have Garry taking the helm at this point in time”.    We extend our deepest gratitude to David Cowdrey, who has provided outstanding leadership as interim CEO, guiding the Foundation through this transition period.    Read more: https://lnkd.in/eQPuf2mv

The MCS Foundation has welcomed the #Scottish #Government’s commitment to deliver a #HeatInBuildingsBill, but has called for greater clarity and ambition on the rollout of #HeatPumps across #Scotland. David Cowdrey, Acting Chief Executive at The MCS Foundation, said, “Scotland has long been a leader in the rollout of #renewable energy, but while today’s announcement provides reassurance that there will be a Heat in Buildings Bill in this #Parliament, it also leaves huge questions unanswered. “Heat pumps and #LowCarbon heat networks are the only viable solution to #decarbonise home heating at scale. We urgently need to accelerate installations of heat pumps across Scotland if we are to meet #climate targets, get off #FossilFuels, and reduce #EnergyBills – and to do that we need certainty, not doubt over technologies, from the Scottish Government. “The Scottish Government must ensure that the Heat in Buildings Bill sends a clear signal that heat pumps, not hydrogen or fossil fuels, are the future of home heating in Scotland.” https://lnkd.in/eUkg_83c

The Local Area Retrofit Accelerator (#LARA) pilot saw its second workshop in #Derbyshire and #Nottinghamshire!  Read more about LARA: https://lnkd.in/es-zN4UU LARA is designed to empower communities to write bespoke #retrofit strategies that address their unique needs. Through co-design workshops, expert guidance, and strategic collaboration, we’re helping localities build practical, impactful retrofit plans. We’re doing this by providing specialist support to assist in the development of retrofit strategies that we hope will drive real change. We’re delighted to be working with Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire! Attending organisations include: Amber Valley Borough Council Bassetlaw District Council Bolsover District Council Broxtowe Borough Council Community Home Solutions Derby City Council Derby College Derbyshire Community Bank Derbyshire Community Health Services NHS Foundation Trust Derbyshire County Council eco-Landlord E.ON Next Erewash Borough Council Furbnow Gedling Borough Council Groundwork Five Counties Highfield Surveyors Ltd Impact Energy Ltd Lendology CIC | B Corp Mansfield District Council Marches Energy Agency National Energy Action (NEA) North East Derbyshire District Council (NEDDC) Nottingham City Council Nottingham Community Housing Association Nottingham Energy Partnership Nottinghamshire County Council Nottingham Trent University Robert Heath Heating SCE Electrical & Air Conditioning Services Ltd South Derbyshire DC University of Derby Vision West Nottinghamshire College Westville Group YES Energy Solutions Collaboration is at the heart of LARA. We’re working alongside Ashden, Built Environment - Smarter Transformation, Connected Places Catapult, National Retrofit Hub, & UK Green Building Council (UKGBC) to break down barriers and accelerate progress.

Join Bolton College on Wednesday 9th April for their #LowCarbon and #Sustainability event for employers!    Hosted from 10am – 12pm on Bolton College’s Deane Road Campus, this event is aimed at employers looking to explore #LowCarbon, #sustainable methods to future-proof your #business.     Attendees can expect networking opportunities, alongside talks on:    - How cutting #carbon can also cut #costs  - #Apprenticeships supporting low carbon  - #EnergySeving tips  - #Sustainability to win more #customers    If you’re interested in attending, please sign up using the form: https://lnkd.in/ehAs28SZ 

The ADE has joined 35 organisations, from major energy suppliers to consumer advocates, to call on Secretary of State Ed Miliband to deliver urgent reform of outdated levies on electricity. Right now, electricity levies are 4x more than gas, making the switch to clean energy harder for households and businesses. If we’re serious about fuel poverty, affordable and secure energy, we need a fairer system. It’s time for change. Department for Energy Security and Net Zero HM Revenue & Customs Department for Business and Trade Department for Transport (DfT), United Kingdom Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government Cabinet Office Electrify Britain E.ON UK Aira BEAMA Calisen Centre for Net Zero (Octopus Energy Group) Citizens Advice Clarion Housing Group Community Energy England EDF (UK) ECA - Excellence in Electrotechnical and Engineering Services Energy Saving Trust Energy Systems Catapult EVA England Green Alliance Heat Pump Association (HPA) Heat Pump Federation Kensa The MCS Foundation Mixergy Ltd National Energy Action (NEA) Nesta Octopus Energy OVO Places for People Plug me in RenewableUK Schroders Greencoat LLP Sero So Energy tepeo Vaillant UK

In just two weeks, the Heat Pump Summit returns to Oxford, bringing together the brightest minds and boldest leaders from across the industry to drive the future of heat pumps. https://lnkd.in/e2UJnJ7y      Expect game-changing discussions on policy, innovation, and market growth, shaping the future of heat pumps in the transition to net zero. Uniting key stakeholders from government, cleantech, development, and commercial property, this summit is a pivotal moment for collaboration and progress.    Don't miss your chance to be part of the conversation on April 15th. Secure your delegate pass today with code MCSF20 for 20% OFF: https://lnkd.in/e2UJnJ7y  

Straight from the Source: Mark’s Experience with a #HeatPump: https://lnkd.in/dNuQ3V-K     For Mark, switching to a heat pump was all about making a smart, future-proof #investment in his home. Now, he’s enjoying a house that stays warmer for longer, an easy-to-control system, and the peace of mind that comes with a #sustainable #heating solution. And he didn’t have to replace any radiators!     At The MCS Foundation, we’re always delighted to hear from real #homeowners enjoying #RenewableEnergy solutions in their homes. Mark’s story is a great example of how renewable heating can benefit both households and the #environment.     If you’re thinking about installing a heat pump, hear it Straight from the Source.   

At The MCS Foundation, we’re proud to have supported the Ambleside to Zero (AtoZ) initiative with Ambleside Action For A Future (AAFAF), a community-led project working towards #CarbonNeutrality in #Ambleside by 2030: https://lnkd.in/eg8JthY3      But the AtoZ project is more than just a local effort. It serves as a template for other communities, helping them adopt #RenewableEnergy and #retrofit for #EnergyEfficiency, utilising a socially #inclusive approach.        So far, the project has seen many successes, including:    - Building a robust and active community network across Ambleside. - Completing more than 150 #ThermalImaging surveys to help residents identify heat loss in their homes.  - Recruiting new volunteers, laying the groundwork for lasting community action.        One of the lasting legacies from the initial project is the partnership between AAFAF and Cumbria Action for Sustainability (CAfS). The two groups together rolled out an innovative #Solar Made Easy initiative to communities across #Cumbria, offering residents a chance to learn more about solar and participate in installation programmes.        Going forward, AAFAF and CAfS will shortly be launching their #EV Made Easy pilot to make the switch to #ElectricVehicles easier for more communities.        We’re delighted to have supported this initiative and can’t wait to see what they do next!