As we welcome the new year, we bid a fond farewell to Pippa Palmer as Co-Chair of Working Group 3 (Workforce Growth & Skills Development), following the move of her academic portfolio to London South Bank University’s new Building Future Communities (BFC) research centre.
Pippa has been an exceptional leader, steering WG3 alongside Cara Jenkinson with passion and dedication. Together, they helped to map the retrofit training landscape and drive the Retrofit Skills agenda forward. We are grateful for their outstanding contributions, and while we will miss Pippa’s leadership, we are delighted she will continue her invaluable work in the retrofit sector via her consultancy, Polln, and under the new BFC research faculty.
ABOUT ROB HARGRAVES
Pippa will be passing the baton to Rob Hargraves, who will now join Cara as Co-Chair to continue the important work of WG3. Rob brings 13 years of experience delivering impactful projects for not-for-profit organisations, currently managing Energy System Catapult’s portfolio of skills work for the decarbonisation of domestic properties. Rob brings together expertise from across a range of capabilities within The Catapult, working with diverse stakeholders from around the UK, including representatives from government, local authorities, community groups, businesses, and educators.
As a former teacher of students with special educational needs and disabilities, Rob strongly believes in the power of education to transform lives and is currently working to create accessible and inclusive training materials to fill gaps within the retrofit training landscape.
Prior to joining The Catapult, Rob worked at Severn Wye, managing a £5m Warm Homes Fund scheme and energy advice programmes like Warm & Well (Gloucestershire) and Keep Herefordshire Warm. He also managed a team of 10 staff, spending his time maximising services and support for people affected by energy poverty.
Rob is deeply committed to creating an accessible and inclusive retrofit workforce and will continue the work Pippa and Cara have laid out, including putting the finishing touches on our White Paper outlining key policy and funding requests for the new government. His extensive experience, particularly in education and energy poverty, makes him an ideal fit to lead this vital area.
We look forward to Rob and Cara’s continued leadership as they work with our stakeholders to decarbonise homes, reduce energy bills, and improve the living standards of households across the UK.
Thank you, Pippa, for your incredible leadership and vision. Welcome, Rob, as we continue driving change in the retrofit sector.
HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED?
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