CIPHE - Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering - Experts & Thought Leaders

Dubai is set to become the focal point of the Middle East’s building services sector as it hosts the MEP International Conference MENA (MEPIC 2025) from 27–28 October 2025. The two-day event will bring together top MEP professionals, government authorities, developers, and technology innovators to explore solutions driving sustainable, energy-efficient, and digitally integrated buildings across the region. MENA construction market Organized by GM Events, MEPIC 2025 is a timely response to the region’s rapid urban growth and increasing focus on sustainability, efficiency, and smart infrastructure. With the MENA construction market expected to reach over USD 1.3 trillion by 2030, and buildings accounting for up to 40% of energy consumption in urban centers, there is a critical need for advanced MEP systems, innovative technologies, and knowledge-sharing platforms. Cutting-edge solutions in HVAC The conference will feature high-level keynote sessions, technical presentations, and interactive panels led by international and industry pioneers including Vince Arnold, President, The Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE), Nabil Shahin, Managing Director at AHRI, who will spotlight innovations in HVAC; Mohamed Amer, Regional Director – MENA at ICC, sharing insights on codes and compliance; Mohd Imran Shaikh, Director of MEP at Ramboll and CIBSE UAE Chair, discussing sustainable MEP design strategies; and Jaydeep Anand, Co-founder & Chief Sustainability Officer at FIVE Holdings, highlighting approaches to energy optimization and green building. The MEPIC exhibition will showcase Eurotubi, Victaulic, Gulfoflex, and SKM Air Conditioning, presenting cutting-edge solutions in HVAC, plumbing, fire safety, energy management, and smart building technologies. Attendees will gain hands-on exposure to innovations that enhance efficiency, reduce operational costs, and support sustainability goals. Adoption of advanced technologies Key conference themes include net-zero and energy-efficient MEP designs, smart building and IoT integration, BIM coordination, fire and life safety compliance, and retrofitting solutions.  With governments across the GCC aiming to reduce carbon emissions and improve energy efficiency, events like MEPIC play a crucial role in driving industry knowledge, accelerating adoption of advanced technologies, and supporting sustainable urban growth. Next generation of sustainable buildings “MEPIC 2025 is the region’s definitive platform for MEP leaders and innovators to connect, collaborate, and shape the future of building services,” said the organizers, adding “With major urban development projects underway, this conference will provide actionable insights and showcase the technologies that will define the next generation of sustainable buildings in the MENA region.”

The 2025 regional and sustainability winners, as well as the finalists of the Rising Star and HVAC categories of the Heating Installer Awards 2025, have been announced. The shortlists have been decided by a panel of experts including representatives from the awards’ partners the CIPHE, The IPG, Polypipe Building Products, Refresh, Samsung Climate Solutions, Stelrad and Powered Now, who recently attended judging day and scored all of the entries on their technical expertise, problem-solving, product knowledge and outstanding work. New addition to the 2025 awards The panel was joined by the Awards’ Board of Trustees’, a new addition to the 2025 awards The panel was joined by the Awards’ Board of Trustees’, a new addition to the 2025 awards. The Trustees - five industry-acclaimed installers - are playing a significant role in the scheme by working alongside the organizers and sponsors to bring practical, technical and hands-on experience to the process, ensuring it remains grounded in the realities of the heating industry. Now celebrating its 10th year anniversary, the Heating Installer Awards recognizes the achievements and raises the credibility of plumbers and heating installers across the country who deliver excellent work on a daily basis. Outstanding professionalism and exceptional service Targeting every region across the UK, the awards encourage installers to nominate a project that they are particularly proud of. The projects demonstrate high technicality, outstanding professionalism and exceptional service - all resulting in a happy customer. The industry judges explained the entries received this year were of an exceptionally high standard and made selecting the winners no easy task. Regional winners East Midlands: Max Smith East of England: Jon Miles East of England Highly commended: Shane Kosic North East: Craig Gilhome North West: Liam Crossley Scotland: Stuart Sugden South East: Shaun Bone South East Highly commended: Liam Barry South West: Joshua Bond Wales & Northern Ireland: Daniel Davies West Midlands: Taylor Evans Yorkshire and the Humber: Damon Blakemore Best Sustainable Installer winners  Sustainability North: Damon Blakemore Sustainability Midlands: Max Smith  Sustainability Midlands Highly Commended: Neil James Sustainability South: Shaun Bone Sustainability South Highly Commended: Wesley Hort and Liam Barry Best HVAC Installer shortlist Mark Denman  Dean Franklin Craig Gilhome Rising Star shortlist Kris Main Jesssica Rose Joe Styles Daisy Turner  Regional and category finalists Each winner and finalist will be invited to complete a short reply-to-scenario test, devised by previous awards The regional and category finalists will now go through to the next stage of the awards, which involves a technical challenge and a public vote, with some money-can’t-buy prizes up for grabs for the winners. Each winner and finalist will be invited to complete a short response-to-scenario test, devised by previous Heating Installer Awards winners — Nick Irlam, Carl Ladd and Phil Metcalf — and overseen by the pioneering industry body, CIPHE. Heating Installer Awards website To get behind an installer and vote for them to be crowned the National Winner, Rising Star, HVAC, or the Most Sustainable installer, customers and members of the public can visit the Heating Installer Awards website and cast a vote.  The public vote will make up a quarter of the overall scores, alongside the judges’ scores and the scores from a technical challenge. The winners will be announced on Wednesday, 25th June 2025, at InstallerSHOW, taking place at Birmingham NEC.

The Heating Installer Awards 2025 has arrived marking a remarkable decade celebrating hardworking installers across the UK. Entries are opening to installers on Tuesday 8th October, with lots of exciting awards to be won. Now entering its 10th anniversary, the Heating Installer Awards holds a search for the best installers in the nation. The competition builds a positive conversation in the industry and promotes excellent heating installers and their work, which can often go unrecognized. Selection of products There are prizes from a bundle worth over £10,000 on offer for the finalists Supported by The IPG, Polypipe Building Products, Powered Now, Samsung Climate Solutions, Stelrad, CIPHE, and Refresh, the awards are free to enter and allow installers to showcase their work to potential customers. There are prizes from a bundle worth over £10,000 on offer for the finalists, including a selection of products from sponsors and partners, as well as money-can’t-buy prizes. Judging panel  After entries close in February 2025, a judging panel made up of industry experts, professional bodies, and trusted installers will choose the regional finalists as well as an initial shortlist for the category winners.  Entries submitted will be carefully reviewed and scored by the judging panel that will mark the project against outstanding results, problem-solving skills, knowledgeable product selection, excellent customer service, and technical expertise. National Heating Installer Awards Regional winners will be announced in April 2025, before going into the running to be crowned Regional winners will be announced in April 2025, before going into the running to be crowned the national Heating Installer Awards winner 2025 in June at Birmingham NEC. During the presentation, last year’s winners Nick Irlam of Irlam UK in Lancashire, Damon Blakemore of Blakemore Plumbing & Heating and Luke Neale, apprentice at Chelmsford Plumbing and Heating will crown the next national winner, most sustainable installer, HVAC award and rising star. New developments To celebrate the award’s 10th anniversary, there will also be some new additions to the Heating Installer Awards calendar that are set to make the awards bigger than they’ve ever been. More on this is coming soon. Think they’ve got what it takes to be crowned Heating Installer of the Year 2025? Visit the website and complete the entry form. Follow them on X (Twitter), Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn to stay up to date with new developments, plus be the first to find out about competitions from the awards’ sponsors and partners!