UK heat pump industry unites to strengthen low-carbon heating advocacy with formation of HPA UK
The UK heat pump sector is set to consolidate its industry representation with the formation of Heat Pump Association UK (HPA UK), a new unified trade body emerging from the merger of the three principal heat pump associations. The Heat Pump Association (HPA), Ground Source Heat Pump Association (GSHPA), and Heat Pump Federation (HPF) are joining forces to create a single organisation designed to represent the complete heat pump supply chain. This development marks a significant step in streamlining governance and improving engagement with government, regulators, and industry stakeholders.
The merger, scheduled to take effect in January 2026, aims to harness the combined strengths of its predecessors to provide clearer messaging on low-carbon heating solutions, enhanced member services, and a unified voice for the sector. According to announcements from the three bodies over recent months, HPA UK will serve as a single point of contact for industry collaboration, public engagement, and regulatory dialogue. The renamed organisation will continue to be registered legally at Companies House as Heat Pump Association Ltd but will operate under the trading name Heat Pump Association UK.
Leadership for the new body will be shared initially by Mark Wilkins, current chair of the HPA, and Laura Bishop, chair of the GSHPA, who will co-chair the association until September 2027. Their respective vice-chairs, Chris Taylor-Hamlin and Emma Bohan, will support them and are set to assume co-chair roles from September 2027 until 2029. This planned leadership rotation is intended to maintain continuity and broad representation from across the previous organisations.
The newly formed association’s staff roster has been confirmed with Charlotte Lee appointed as CEO, supported by key roles such as Olivia Smalley as Head of Policy and Communications, Chloe Davis as Policy and Communications Executive, Stephen Bileby handling Membership and Events, and technical consultants Nancy Jonsson and David Cowburn. An HPA spokesperson noted that while Bean Beanland, the current director for growth and external affairs at HPF, is not listed in the new structure, the association expects to expand its team and values Beanland’s ongoing advocacy and stakeholder role.
The unification reflects the heat pump sector’s increased strategic importance in the UK’s transition to low-carbon energy and the growing maturity of the industry. Each original association brought its own specialised focus—HPA on wider market promotion, GSHPA on ground source heat pump standards and installation quality, and HPF on industry growth and policy advocacy. The merger is expected to harmonise these efforts, eliminating overlap and ensuring a stronger collective impact.
For members, the transition will be seamless, with complimentary membership offers available through to the end of 2025 and continuing under the HPA UK banner from January 2026. Existing administrative arrangements will remain in place at least until the end of 2026, with FETA, the HPA’s current parent association, retaining the secretariat contract.
This consolidated approach positions HPA UK to better address government policies, support regulatory reforms, and promote training and technical standards across the diverse heat pump sector. It also underscores the commitment of industry leaders to deliver cohesive advocacy and industry growth during a critical phase for UK energy policy and decarbonisation targets.