HVCA Press Centre

The HVCA press office has been designed to offer assistance to writers and journalists covering the building services and construction industries.

Its content is regularly updated to include all news releases issued by the Association, either on its own behalf or on behalf of affiliated organisations.

The photographs file contains downloadable shots of the HVCA's presidential team, along with a selection of pictures relevant to different sectors of the hvacr industry, all of which are freely available for publication. For further photographs, contact gjones@hvca.org.uk.

The key issues document provides a summary of the principal issues currently being progressed by the Association.

If you require further information on specific aspects of the HVCA or its activities, click the contacts link and email your query to the relevant member of the HVCA team.

For general press enquiries, contact jmcdavid@hvca.org.uk or bfaubert@hvca.org.uk.

Trade releases

18 May 2008	HVCA Specialist Groups Elect New Chairmen New chairmen have been elected by three of the HVCA’s four specialist groups. Download
12 May 2008	ECA and HVCA Launch Joint Grand Dinner And Ball The first ever Grand Dinner and Ball organised jointly by the HVCA and the Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA) will take place at the Royal Lancaster Hotel, London W2, on the evening of Friday 3 October 2008. Download
15 April 2008	HVCA Achieves ISO 9001:2000 Quality Accreditation HVCA has achieved ISO 9001:2000 quality assurance certification in respect of its membership handling and review processes. Download
14 March 2008	HVCA Council Confirms Member Support for Development of Convergence Model Following a member consultation exercise, the HVCA Council has pledged its support to the development of a model of a single organisation to represent mechanical and electrical contractors – brought about by the convergence of the HVCA and the Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA). Download
4 March 2008	HVCA Endorses LSC Research Findings On Commercial Benefits Of Training Recent research findings published by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC), which confirm that participation in new-entrant training provides positive commercial benefits for employers, has been endorsed by HVCA president elect Gareth Vaughan. Download
22 February 2008	JMCG site audit confirms ongoing Support for ecs and Engineering Services SKILLcard A third site audit conducted by the members of the ECA/HVCA Joint Major Contractors’ Group (JMCG) has revealed a continuing high level of membership of the building services engineering sector’s two principal personnel registration schemes. Download
25 January 2008	President Reports Excellent Progress On Combined M&E Working Rule Agreement HVCA president John Miller has re-stated his Association’s commitment to reforming and reshaping the industrial relations culture across building services engineering – and to the work currently being undertaken to harmonise employment terms and conditions across the mechanical and electrical sectors. Download
18 January 2008	Derrick East Wins Outstanding Service Award Derrick East of Accolade Building Services has become the latest recipient of an HVCA Outstanding Service Award. Download
18 January 2008	BESCA Approved to Accredit Energy Assessor HVCA subsidiary Building Engineering Services Competence Accreditation Ltd (BESCA) has been approved by the Department for Communities and Local Government to operate an accreditation scheme for energy assessors. Download
14 September 2007	President Urges Government to Enforce Part L Provisions HVCA president John Miller has challenged the Government to enforce important changes introduced last year to Part L of the Building Regulations. Download
12 September 2007	SFG Celebrates 25 Years of Raising Standards The HVCA Service and Facilities Group (SFG) marked the 25th anniversary of its foundation with a celebratory luncheon hosted by chairman Peter Excell at the Royal Automobile Club, London W1. Download
28 July 2007	HVCA in Partnership Deal with Exor HVCA has finalised a partnership arrangement with Exor Management Services Ltd, which is designed to provide Association members with additional business opportunities in the public sector. Download
27 July 2007	Contractors risk missing out on sustainable profits The chairman of M&E Sustainability, a pan-industry campaign, has warned specialist contractors that they will miss out on valuable business opportunities unless they revolutionise the way they do business. Download
12 July 2007	John Miller Commits to "Open Door" Presidency The six key areas of action for the Association and the industry over the next three years have been identified by newly-elected HVCA president John Miller. Download
12 July 2007	John Miller is HVCA President for 2007/08 John Miller has been elected president of the HVCA for 2007/08.07. Download
5 July 2007	Sarah Wicks Appointed HVCA Head of Education and Training Sarah Wicks has been appointed HVCA head of education and training, with effect from 1 August 2007. Download
4 July 2007	Tony Thomas Appointed Visiting Professor at LSBU Tony Thomas, head of education and training at the HVCA for the past 15 years, has been appointed visiting professor of work-based learning at London South Bank University (LSBU). Download
31 May 2007	ECA and HVCA Commit to Joint Working on Sustainability The Heating and Ventilating Contractors’ Association (HVCA) and the Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA) have agreed to work together fully in the critically important area of sustainability. Download
15 May 2007	Peter Excell is Chairman of HVCA Services and Facilities Group Peter Excell, managing director of Platinum Facilities and Maintenance Services has been elected chairman of the HVCA Service and Facilities Group, in succession to Malcolm Linsley, formerly of Bailey Maintenance Services. Download
4 May 2007	Gold Award for Ken Livingstone Mayor of London Ken Livingstone is this year's winner of the HVCA-sponsored Gold Award for outstanding services to the construction industry and the built environment. Download
13 March 2007	All Party Group Condemns "Irresponsible" Behaviour Video clips showing various incidents of horseplay on construction sites - which are being displayed on the Youtube website and elsewhere on the internet - were the subject of a debate by the All Party Parliamentary Building Services Engineering Group at its meeting on 13 March 2007. Download
3 Feburary 2007	Industry Bodies Co-operate on Health and Safety In the run-up to the introduction of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007, the Construction Confederation and the Specialist Engineering Contractors’ (SEC) Group have signed a "statement of intent" to work together to further improve health and safety on site. Download
2 Feburary 2007	Project Bank Account Could Mean Savings The use of project bank accounts could bring about significant cost savings across construction, according to a survey of companies operating within the specialist engineering sector. Download
23 January 2007	ECA and HVCA Introduce Energy-Saving Measures The HVCA and the Electrical Contractors' Association (ECA) are implementing a series of energy-saving initiatives designed to improve the carbon footprint of Esca House, their jointly-owned head office in Bayswater, West London. Download
18 December 2006	HVCA signs Construction Commitments Charter The HVCA has become a signatory to the Construction Commitments charter developed by the Strategic Forum for Construction in relation to the 2012 Olympic Games. Download
15 December 2006	HVCA Launches Agenda for Action on Sustainability An Agenda for Action on Sustainability has been launched by the HVCA, following endorsement of the initiative by the Council of the Association at its meeting on 7 December 2006. Download
16 November 2006	Iain Coates Wins HVCA Outstanding Service Award Iain Coates is the recipient of this year's HVCA Outstanding Service Award. Download
23 October 2006	HVCA and Amicus Conclude Three-Year Deal Agreement has been reached between the HVCA and the trade union Amicus on a third three-year operative pay deal. Download
18 September 2006	HVCA Inspection and Assessment Regime is "Second to None' An independent accreditation body has described the integrity and rigour of the Association’s third-party member inspection and assessment regime as 'second to none'. Download
22 August 2006	Lord O'Neill Appointed SEC Group President Lord O’Neill of Clackmannan has been appointed president of the Specialist Engineering Contractors’ (SEC) Group, with effect from 24 August 2006. Download
16 August 2006	HVCA and ECA Stage Health and Safety Event The HVCA and the Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA) have joined together with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to deliver a half-day health and safety conference aimed at building engineering services contractors of all sizes and specialisms.
24 July 2006	SKILLcard Marks 50,000 Milestone at House of Commons Event Engineering Services SKILLcard – the personnel registration scheme for the mechanical sector – has passed an important milestone with the issue of its 50,000th card. Download
17 July 2006	Scottish Enterprise Funding for HVCA Members HVCA has finalised a ground-breaking funding agreement with Scottish Enterprise which will help members active in Scotland to enhance the skills of their workforce. Download
13 July 2006	HVCA President Commits to Cultural Reform HVCA president Mike McCloskey has summed up the Association's key goals as "a better construction industry, a better built environment, a better deal for members, and a better outcome for the client". Download
13 July 2006	Mike McCloskey Succeeds to HVCA Presidency Mike McCloskey has been elected president of the HVCA for 2006/07. Download
7 July 2006	Billy Wilgar is Chairman of HVCA Heating and Plumbing Services Group Billy Wilgar of A C Wilgar Ltd of Orpington, Kent, has been elected chairman of the HVCA Heating and Plumbing Services (HAPS) Group, and Robert Smith of RJS Heating, Plumbing and Mechanical Services of Coulsdon, Surrey, has been elected vice chairman. Download
6 July 2006	All Party Building Services Engineering Group Established An All Party Parliamentary Building Services Engineering Group was established at Westminster on Tuesday 13 June 2006. Download
5 July 2006	HVCA Revises DW/144 Specification The HVCA Ductwork Group's Technical Committee is in the process of revising the Association’s authoritative Specification for Sheet Metal Ductwork (DW/144). Download
21 April 2006	CHAS Registration Opens to HVCA Members All HVCA members are now to be automatically registered with the Contractor Health and Safety Assessment Scheme (CHAS).
10 February 2006	HVCA and BIFM Become Partners in Excellence The HVCA Service and Facilities Group and the British Institute of Facilities Management (BIFM) have signed a formal agreement entitled Partners in FM Excellence. Download
20 January 2006	DVD Will Help Installers to Educate Their Customers A DVD designed to help educate consumers about high-efficiency boilers – and to cut out the “cowboy” installer – has been developed by the HVCA, in collaboration with a number of industry partners. Download
1 January 2006	Robert Higgs Awarded OBE in New Year Honours HVCA director Robert Higgs has been appointed an Officer of the British Empire (OBE) in the New Years Honours list, in recognition of his services to the environment. Download
16 December 2005	HVCA Outstanding Service Awards for Moxom and Mitchell Former Council members Derek Moxom and Norman Mitchell have become the latest recipients of HVCA Outstanding Service Awards. Download
15 December 2005	Gary Shepherd Named Outstanding Apprentice Gary Shepherd took top place at the recent Scottish HVACR Awards for Outstanding Achievement. Download
25 November 2005	Book Now for HVCA Scotland Annual Dinner Friday 31 March has been chosen as the date for next year's HVCA Scotland Annual Dinner. Download
23 November 2005	Adult Training Programme Addresses Skills A total of 14 unemployed adults adults are currently being introduced to the complexities of h&v engineering at Leeds College of Building. Download
22 November 2005	McQuay Hosts RAC Group Autumn Conference Rome provided the location for the 2005 Autumn Conference of the Association's Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (RAC) Group, which was attended by a total of 25 delegates and their partners. Download
20 November 2005	SKILLcard Window to Close on 31 January Service and facilities personnel are reminded that, if they apply for an Engineering Services SKILLcard after 31 January 2006, they may find the conditions they must satisfy significantly tougher than at present. Download
17 November 2005	Nominations Sought for Industry Awards Nominations are being sought for a number of industry awards managed by the HVCA . Download
11 November 2005	HVCA Appointed a Trustmark Scheme Operator HVCA has become one of the first bodies to be appointed a scheme operator under the Government-inspired TrustMark initiative. Download
10 October 2005	HVCA and ECA make Joint Commitment to Safety A commitment to maximise joint working on health and safety has been signed by the HVCA and the Electrical Contractors' Association (ECA). Download
17 July 2005	President Commits to Agenda for Positive Change The HVCA agenda for positive change is both long and complex, according to Geoffrey Robinson, the Association's newly-elected president. Download
13 July 2005	Geoffrey Robinson Succeeds to HVCA Presidency Geoffrey Robinson has been elected president of the HVCA for 2004/2005. Download

Consumer releases

June 2008	YORKSHIRE REGION OF HVCA AIDS SAILING CHARITY The Yorkshire region of high profile trade association the HVCA raised £6000 to fund the purchase of a specially adapted sailing dinghy to be used at Otley Sailing Club to give sailing experiences to disabled youngsters Download
June 2008	BOILER IN YOUR HOLIDAY COTTAGE SAFE TO USE? With more British families opting to forgo an overseas holiday this summer it could prove a bumper year for the UK holiday accommodation sector – but many of the flats and cottages being used for holiday lets will have older gas fired boilers; the Trade Association for professional heating engineers warns that they should be safety checked by a qualified expert. Download
May 2008	KEEP CLEAR OF THE COWBOYS With astonishingly high levels of consumer complaints recorded by Consumer Direct it makes more sense than ever for homeowners to use TrustMark registered companies. Download
May 2008	THE SILENT KILLER The Trade Association for professional heating engineers reminds home owners that poorly maintained or old boilers put their lives at risk and continue to damage the environment. Download
April 2008	WHAT LIES BENEATH – ASBESTOS STILL KILLS HVCA has welcomed the HSE’s new campaign to warn plumbers, heating & ventilation engineers and electricians about the continuing dangers of asbestos. Download
March 2008	TRADE ASSOCIATION CALLS FOR ONE SCHEME ONLY TO HELP CONSUMERS FIND REPUTABLE TRADES PEOPLE The Heating and Ventilating Contractors' Association wants Trading Standards and Local Authorities to scrap their 'Buy with Confidence' schemes and instead support the Government backed national TrustMark initiative. Download
February 2008	TOP TIPS TO SAVE ENERGY – AND KEEP BILLS DOWN HVCA, the organisation that drives energy efficiency in the built environment, gives some timely energy saving advice to homeowners. Download
February 2008	HARD WORK PAYS OFF FOR YOUNG TRAINEES The Yorkshire Region of the HVCA took advantage of their Annual Ball to present awards to nine young trainees in recognition of their hard work and dedication. Download
January 2008	LARGE DONATION TO GREAT NORTH AIR AMBULANCE The magnificent sum of £2250 was raised for a local charity at the Heating and Ventilating Contractors’ Association (HVCA), North East Region’s Annual Dinner with a cheque subsequently presented to the Great North Air Ambulance. Download
November 2007	HOUSEHOLDS IN THE DARK ABOUT GRANTS FOR HOME ENERGY EFFICIENCY Trade Association for home heating says grants to help households install energy efficiency measures or renewable technologies actually do exist but too little is known about them and much more publicity is needed to make households aware of who is eligible and how they can apply for grants. Download
November 2007	HARD WORK PAYS OFF FOR YOUNG APPRENTICES Recognition for seven young apprentices at the recent HVCA North East Region Awards. Download
November 2007	1 IN 3 CONSTRUCTION SITES PUT THE LIVES OF WORKERS AT RISK Trade Association issues reminder that builders and contractors working on small construction sites must use competent workers to avoid both adding to the alarming increase in fatalities and prosecution for flouting Health and Safety legislation. Download
October 2007	KEEPING REFRIGERATION COSTS DOWN Useful advice and top tips from the Heating and Ventilating Contractors' Association for smaller food stores faced with the high energy consumption of their refrigeration cabinets and equipment. Download
October 2007	GREEN HEATING – WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM THE SUN Trade Association for home heating engineers gives some timely and topical advice on solar heating. Download
October 2007	LEAVE IT ANOTHER YEAR? It's too easy for homeowners or landlords to let their old or inefficient boilers soldier on for another winter but it’s a decision they might come to regret. Homeowners are advised not to take risks with older gas fired boilers and to get them checked by a qualified expert.. Download
August 2007	TRADE ASSOCIATION WARNS THAT MORE MUST BE DONE TO COMBAT LEGIONNAIRES' DISEASE Yet another unfortunate death from Legionnaires' disease indicates that poor maintenance regimes or complacency are still too prevalent in Britain's air conditioned buildings and workplaces. Download
August 2007	HOW NOT TO FALL PREY TO ROGUE TRADERS With unscrupulous rogue traders targeting flood affected households, leading trade association, the HVCA, issues a 10 point guide to help households steer clear of the "cowboys". Download
July 2007	DOOR OPEN TO HVCA'S NEW PRESIDENT John Miller takes over as the new President of the HVCA and vows to operate an "open door" policy – accessible to his fellow members and determined to act only in their interests and fulfil their wishes. Download
July 2007	HOUSEHOLDERS SAY GOVERNMENT SHOULD PAY FOR HOME ENERGY ASSESSMENTS YouGov survey on behalf of the Heating and Ventilating Contractors’ Association (HVCA) reveals that homeowners think home energy assessments are important but say the Government should pay for them. Download
June 2007	THE RIGHT THING TO DO 3 years on from the Heating and Ventilating Contractors’ Association's remarkable decision to make it mandatory for its members to undergo a third party inspection and assessment, this demanding regime of membership criteria enters its second cycle. Download
June 2007	TOP ENERGY SAVING TIPS HVCA, the organisation that promotes sustainability in the built environment, gives some really useful energy saving advice to homeowners. Download

Photographs

Presidential team


President John Miller Download picture	President elect Gareth Vaughan Download picture	Immediate past president Mike McClosky Download picture	Chief executive Robert Higgs OBE Download picture