The Heating Installer Awards is proud to be guided by a dedicated Board of Trustees, helping to ensure installers remain at the heart of the awards. Made up of previous winners and respected industry professionals, the Board plays a key role in shaping the awards, supporting the judging process and ensuring the competition continues to reflect the realities of the heating industry.
For more than a decade, the Heating Installer Awards has celebrated the outstanding work of installers and engineers who demonstrate exceptional technical expertise, professionalism and customer service.
The Board of Trustees helps maintain the integrity, credibility and technical precision of the awards, providing valuable industry insight and ensuring the scheme continues to evolve alongside changing technologies, regulations and best practice. Their involvement helps guarantee that the awards remain relevant, respected and truly representative of the installer community.
Our Board of Trustees brings together former award winners and industry experts who understand first-hand what it takes to succeed in today’s heating industry. Drawing on their diverse experience and expertise, they help guide the development of the awards and support the judging process across a range of categories.
2026/27 Heating Installer Awards Trustees:
• Phil Metcalf, Metcalf Cooling and Heating Services – National Winner 2020
• Carl Ladd – Rising Star Winner 2021
• Nick Irlam, Irlam UK – National Winner and HVAC Installer of the Year 2024
• Huw Jenkins, Thornhill Plumbing and Heating – Multiple Regional Winner
• Karen Matthews, Mayfly Group – CIPHE Member
Each trustee contributes specialist knowledge and industry insight to help ensure entries are assessed fairly, consistently and against the highest professional standards.
Phil is the owner of Metcalf Cooling and Heating Services in Lancaster. Phil specialises in the installation of air conditioning, central heating, and heat pumps. Phil was crowned the National Heating Installer 2020 and is a strong advocate for raising industry standards.
Nick is the owner of Irlam UK, and was awarded the 2024 National Heating Installer Awards winner’s trophy for his outstanding and professional work, with a focus on sustainability. From Bolton-le-Sands, Lancashire, Nick’s projects span design, project management, installation, air conditioning, heat pumps, ventilation with heat recovery and more for residential and commercial.
Carl Ladd won the Awards’ Rising Star category in 2021. After suffering a serious accident to his hand, Carl rehabilitated his injury and turned to a career in plumbing. Undertaking an apprenticeship and qualifying as a plumber, Carl now works in the renewables sector installing low temperature heating systems with the winner of the Heating Installer Awards’ Most Sustainable Installer 2023, Liam Barry.
Huw, of Thornhill Plumbing and Heating, is a multiple regional Heating Installer Awards winner, winning his region for the past five years. Huw has been a consistent figure in the Awards since 2018 and a stellar supporter of the Awards for years. Known for holding himself to high standards, Huw has trained others and believes in the importance of passing on the knowledge he gained from his own mentors.
Karen is a director of Mayfly Group, which provides domestic heating, domestic heat pumps and commercial heating, and hot water installation, service and repair in Leeds and surrounding areas. Karen is a member of The Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering and has over 15 years’ experience in the sector.
Drawing on their experience as award-winning installers and industry professionals, trustees help shape the future direction of the programme while ensuring installers remain at its heart. Their responsibilities include: