Wates plugs into the energy sector with new appointment

19 April, 2011

Wates plugs into the energy sector with new appointment

Affordable housing contractor, Wates Living Space, has recruited a highly regarded expert from the energy sector in order to bolster its burgeoning growth strategy within the renewable and energy efficiency markets in the built environment.

Miles Hearn joins the forward-thinking affordable housing division of the family owned Wates Group as Energy Director and will report to the strategic board.

His newly created role within the company reinforces Wates’ ongoing ambitions to become a pioneering national player in the provision of renewable energy and energy efficiency solutions for the UK’s housing stock.

Wates is already the only construction company within a public-private partnership assembled by The Energy Technology Institute (ETI) to examine how UK homes can be refurbished on mass to improve their energy efficiency. The company is also part of a consortium that has secured funding from the Technology Strategy Board to work on a number of the government’s Retrofit for the Future programme, which aims to identify the most effective solutions for refurbishing homes. Wates has been engaged to test and compare some of the latest energy saving technologies and methodologies.

Miles will lead this continuing work, whilst remaining focused on developing a principal position for the Wates Group in the wider energy markets. 

Steve Trusler, Strategy Director at Wates Living Space said: “Wates is ideally placed to deliver end-to-end renewable energy and energy efficiency solutions to the markets we serve. Whilst we have been successfully delivering solutions in this sector for some time, the appointment of Miles will enable us to extend and expand our capabilities and to drive the business forward.”

Miles brings with him a wealth of experience including his most recent role at Ocean Power Technologies Ltd., where he was responsible for delivering strategic projects in the UK and Europe. Prior to this, he worked for national energy provider EDF Energy PLC for eight years. His roles included the establishment of a joint venture with the London Climate Change Agency for the development of ESCO projects, Miles also led major infrastructure projects including the electrification of Terminal 5 and Section 1 of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link as Operations Director for EDF Energy’s Private Networks business. Miles has also held other high profile positions including roles within the flagship PFI project for the Lewisham Extension to the DLR and the design and construction of the Jubilee Line Extension Project

Miles said: “I was keen to see my career progress within a low carbon business. This is a very exciting sector with which to be involved, due to the emerging opportunities driven by the reform of the electricity market and new incentives for energy efficiency and renewable heat. I have a passion for sustainability and socially responsible business so the opportunity to work with Wates on this agenda was very appealing. I share Wates’ vision to positively contribute to the reduction of the carbon emissions of the UK’s 26 million homes.

“Wates is already a leading contractor in this arena, with strong values and the ambition to make a defining difference.” 

Wates is currently exploring models compatible with its business and values in line with the Department for Energy and Climate Change Energy Bill, introduced in December 2010. It will be focusing on delivery solutions for a number of government initiatives including Feed In Tariffs, the Renewable Heat Incentive and the Green Deal.

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Categories: affordable housing, national

Tags: Energy, Energy Director, Miles Hearn