Heat Pump Association Celebrates 30 Years with Inaugural Conference

On the 26th of November, the Heat Pump Association (HPA) celebrated its 30th anniversary with its first-ever Conference, bringing together members, policy makers and industry leaders to reflect on three decades of progress and discuss how the sector can continue to move forward at pace.

Held at the British Library in London, the event followed on from the HPA’s Annual General Meeting, at which the Association presented its AGM report, providing an overview of progress over the past year and key priorities for the year ahead. The full report is available here.

Gathering professionals from across the heating and energy sector under the theme ‘Heat Pumps: How to go further, faster…’, conference discussions focused on practical steps to accelerate deployment, build skills, and strengthen consumer confidence as part of the UK’s wider journey to electrify heat.

The conference opened with a video address from Minister for Energy Consumers Martin McCluskey MP, who reaffirmed the Government’s support for cleaner, low-carbon heating technologies and highlighted the role of industry collaboration in making the transition work for . With the Autumn Budget released the same day, the Minister’s remarks set the scene for timely discussions on the impact on the sector and consumer energy costs.

Delegates heard from an impressive range of speakers, including Paul Kenny, Director General at the European Heat Pump Association, and Nick Winser, Commissioner at the Clean Power Advisory Commission. Sessions covered topics from heat networks to the new MCS installer scheme, with conversations on policy, innovation, and delivery.

An engaging panel discussion rounded off the afternoon, with panellists Dr Emily Nurse (CCC), Madeleine Gabriel (Nesta), Damon Blakemore (HPA Installer Representative), Dr Richard Lowes (Regulatory Assistance Project) and Samantha Hewson (DESNZ) discussing how we can build momentum across the supply chain and find solutions to accelerate heat pump deployment.

Finally, the day concluded with a networking drinks reception with closing remarks from HPA Chair Mark Wilkins, where Craig Dolan, past HPA Chair, was awarded an Exceptional Member Contribution for his dedication to the Association.

Reflecting on the event’s success, Charlotte Lee, Chief Executive of the HPA said:

“It was fantastic to see so many members, stakeholders, and policymakers come together to celebrate the Association’s 30th anniversary and look ahead to what’s next. The discussions throughout the day showed the strength and diversity of our sector, and the shared ambition to make low-carbon heating a reality for homes, businesses and industry across the UK. The conference highlighted just how far the industry has come, and the determination across the sector to keep collaborating and learning to ensure heat pumps play their part in building a more resilient, affordable, and sustainable energy future.”

This year’s conference was made possible by the generous support of our members and our sponsors:  Gold Sponsors – Grant UK and NIBE; Silver Sponsors – Dimplex, E.ON, and Vaillant; Bronze Sponsors – City Plumbing, Bosch, and Rothwell Plumbing Services; Lunch Sponsor – MCS; and Drinks Reception Sponsors – GTEC / Heatly.

Representatives from key sponsors shared their reflections on the HPA’s first Annual Reception.

Paul Smith, Managing Director at NIBE, commented, “Last week’s HPA AGM and Conference was a standout moment for our sector. The format, speakers and discussions offered real clarity on the opportunities and challenges ahead, and it was refreshing to see topics explored from new perspectives. Congratulations to the HPA team for delivering such a well-organised and impactful event. We were proud to support it as Gold sponsors and look forward to supporting again next year as we continue working together to accelerate the UK’s transition to reliable, low-carbon heating.”

Anna Wakefield, Head of Internal Sales and Marketing at Grant UK, said, “The HPA’s first annual conference held in London was an excellent event, one which Grant UK was pleased to support as a Gold Sponsor. What was clear throughout the conference was an unwavering focus on how everyone in our industry can work together to support uptake, encourage growth and develop a secure future for this low-carbon heating technology. Grant UK is proud to be a member of the HPA who are serving as an incredibly proactive industry body during a pivotal time for renewable heating. The HPA brings together the voices of those that need to be heard from the heat pump sector and represents them where needed, and their inaugural annual conference embodied this work and so much more. Congratulations to the HPA Team for organising such an impactful event.”

Mark Wilkins, Technology and Solutions Portfolio Director at Vaillant, added “Vaillant was proud to support the Heat Pump Association’s first Annual Conference as silver sponsor, marking its 30th anniversary and driving the conversation on how to go further and faster in heat pump deployment. As a leading manufacturer of heat pumps, which is committed to accelerating the UK’s transition to low-carbon heating, we welcomed the opportunity to collaborate with industry experts, policymakers, and installers at this conference. With ambitious targets ahead, building installer capacity and ensuring consumer confidence are critical. Together, we can deliver the UK’s clean heating ambition but achieving this requires a strong partnership between Government and industry.”

Craig Dolan, Senior Product Manager at Dimplex, said “Dimplex are proud to have sponsored the recent HPA conference. This is a continuation of the close working relationship we’ve had with the HPA in recent years, helping them to push the heat pump agenda. The work that the HPA do is vital, giving a consistent voice for the whole heat pump sector as we look to engage policymakers and other stakeholders in accelerating the rollout of low-carbon heat pump technology. The conference at the British Library was a great success. The high turnout and level of engagement clearly demonstrate the importance of the challenges and opportunities surrounding heat pump deployment.”

Jon Rand, Industry Expert and Growth Enablement Manager at E.ON Next, commented, “At E.ON Next, we were proud to sponsor the Heat Pump Association Annual Conference, a cornerstone event driving innovation and collaboration across the low-carbon heating industry. This partnership reflects our commitment to accelerating the transition to sustainable energy solutions and supporting organisations that share our vision for a cleaner future. Heat pumps play a vital role in decarbonising homes and businesses, and the insights generated at this conference help move the sector forward. By investing in industry leadership and knowledge exchange, E.ON Next continues to champion technologies and partnerships that empower communities to achieve long-term energy resilience and net-zero goals.”

Notes to Editors:

For media inquiries, please contact:

Olivia Smalley

Head of Policy and Communications

Email: Olivia.smalley@thehpa.org.uk

About the Heat Pump Association:

The HPA is the UK’s dedicated voice for the Heat Pump Sector, driving widespread deployment of heat pump technology throughout the UK. Our membership includes the country’s leading manufacturers of heat pumps, components, and associated equipment as well as energy companies, certification bodies, installers and training providers.  We currently represent over 350 member organisations working in the heat pump sector, with our members representing around 90% of the volume of heat pumps sold in the UK market.