Brand new series from the ETL: Women Driving Change in the Energy Savings Industry
The ETL team speak to prominent female leaders in the sector about their careers and why women should consider a move into this innovative industry
Welcome to Women Driving Change. As we mark International Women’s Day on 8 March, this series of conversations between the Government’s Energy Technology List (ETL) and leading female professionals in the energy efficiency sector will provide insight into their roles, looking at the opportunities for more women to carve out a career in the industry at an exciting time, as the UK progresses towards Net Zero.
Charlotte Lee of the Heat Pump Association (HPA)
Starting our new series of interviews, Charlotte Lee, the Chief Executive of the Heat Pump Association (HPA) speaks with Desiree Collier, Communications and Marketing Director of the ETL scheme at ICF Consulting. For the full interview, make sure to check out our video, which includes more detail on Charlotte’s route into the role, her management style and the key skills she believes women should focus on if they want to enter the industry.
Charlotte Lee, Chief Executive of the HPA
Charlotte joined the HPA in April 2023 as its first Chief Executive. In this role, she sets the strategic direction for the Association and its members, providing thought leadership, engaging with Ministers and senior civil servants and leading the Association’s small but impactful team.
“My role [at the HPA] is to lead the collation, representation and amplification of the voice of “We currently represent over 120 organisations working in the heat pump sector, which includes installers, manufacturers, certification bodies, awarding organisations, training providers, wholesalers, energy suppliers and software companies.“
Prior to working at the HPA, Charlotte spent 10 years at NAPIT, a UKAS-accredited certification body for installers in the building services and fabric sectors. Her knowledge includes the practicalities and policy surrounding the retrofitting of UK housing stock, specifically relating to heat pumps. Before NAPIT, she worked as a Consultant at Ecuity and a Policy Advisor at the Micropower Council, focusing on renewable energy.
Charlotte says that her knowledge of the heat pump industry from previous roles was key in her decision to take up the position at the HPA.
“With the recent focus on energy security and heat decarbonisation within UK policy, [heat pumps] seemed to be a good area of interest to move into. I had some background knowledge and some experience working with installers, but also within wider policy development. I was aware of the heat transition required over the next decade“, she says.
Changing dynamics in the industry
Charlotte says she’s had a warm welcome into her role. “I’ve received nothing but immense support from the vast majority that I’ve met and engaged with,” Charlotte says.
Charlotte says she thinks change is underway and momentum will continue to build in terms of more women entering the industry. “I've recently met a number of inspiring female apprentices and there's a particular company I'm thinking of, which employs female apprentices. They relish that career choice, and they have so much enthusiasm. I’ve spoken to [the female employees] about how they feel working in a male dominated environment, and they say the same to me - that the men they’re working with are very accepting and supportive of them.“
“I guess my hope really is that in five to 10 years' time, I won’t be asked about the role of women in this space, but just more broadly about the growth that’s required.“
Charlotte’s experience working within the heat pump industry has been positive, and she says she advocates for other women to join. “I'd strongly encourage women to enter and remain in the industry, and we need to enable and support a diverse and representative range of views and ideas. Everybody brings a different skill set and those skill sets aren't good or bad, they're different, and we need a good suite and a broad suite.“
“My biggest career highlight is definitely taking up this role”
Charlotte considers the biggest achievement of her career so far to be leading the HPA. “The job I’m in now is definitely my career highlight. It’s the most prominent job that I’ve had, and it’s the most challenging but rewarding.“
The HPA has recently been invited to take part in the Clean Energy Sector Council, which is chaired by Ed Miliband, Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, and Jonathan Reynolds, Secretary of State for Business and Trade. The council will shape the government’s Industrial Strategy, due to be published this spring, prioritising clean energy industries and supporting new jobs and investment.
“That’s been a particular highlight for [the HPA],” Charlotte says. “It gives us some reassurance that we’re acknowledged as an important stakeholder by the government and also helps us make a meaningful impact on policy development and the landscape for clean heating.“
See what else Charlotte has to say
To watch the interview in full, head to our YouTube channel, where we’ll also be posting more interviews from the Woman Driving Change in the Energy Savings Industry series.
You can find out more about the HPA on its website.
The ETL is one of the world’s largest databases of energy saving technology and is backed by the Government’s Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. It features around 8,000 stringently tested and independently verified energy efficient listings, which are of the top 25% most energy efficient products in the market in their class. It’s free to use and get listed. Head to the ETL website for more information.
If you’re a purchaser, you can browse Heat Pumps on our products page. Heat Pump sub-technologies on the ETL include Air to Water Heat Pumps, which you can browse here.
If you’re a manufacturer of Heat Pumps and would like to find out how to list them on the ETL, please head to our Manufacturers page for more details.
Next month, we’ll be featuring our next interview with another successful female leader in the energy savings industry. To make sure you don’t miss it, register to receive the monthly ETL newsletter and subscribe to our YouTube channel.
If you’re a woman driving change in the energy efficiency sector or know someone who would like to take part in an interview with the ETL for this series, please contact us on media@etl.energysecurity.gov.uk.