The Vaillant Podcast

The Vaillant Podcast is a heating industry podcast designed to support installers with every aspect of their working lives: from mental health to marketing, fitness to finances; installers can tune in to learn how to enhance their earnings, learning and wellbeing. 

Revisiting the topic of the very first episode of The Vaillant Podcast, in this episode, Simon Whysall chats with Dr Luke Sullivan and Oliver Stark to learn more about mental health and how we can open up and have those all-important conversations with our employers.

Dr Luke Sullivan is a clinical psychologist within the NHS and on top of this is also the founder of Men’s Minds Matter, a not-for-profit organisation that was created in 2009. The charity is dedicated to the prevention of male suicide by building psychological resilience and emotional strength.

Oliver Stark is a heating engineer at Plumbgas based in Stafford. Having worked within the industry for more than a decade Oliver was previously self-employed before joining Plumbgas in 2020 and is a strong advocate for mental health issues.

 For further support on mental health visit:

To learn more about the support offered by Dr Luke Sullivan and the team at Men’s Minds Matter visit: https://www.mensmindsmatter.org/ 

NHS resources for stress, anxiety and depression: www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/

MIND, the mental health charity

www.mind.org.uk

You can listen to the first episode in The Vaillant Podcast series on mental health here https://www.buzzsprout.com/840097/episodes/2588905 

For more information on how Vaillant is proudly supporting installers, please visit www.vaillant.co.uk/businesssupport and follow us on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.

Hydrogen for installers with Mark Wilkins, Spencer Clark, Steve Keeton and Mark Danter

The Vaillant Podcast is a heating industry podcast designed to support installers with every aspect of their working lives. From mental health to marketing, fitness to finances; installers can tune in to learn how to enhance their earnings, learning and wellbeing. 

In this episode of The Vaillant Podcast takes installers on a journey to understand what hydrogen is and its place within a low carbon heating future.

 In addition, the episode also aims to demystify some of the common misconceptions surrounding hydrogen, including its roll out, required infrastructure and applications, before finally exploring at the practicalities for installers looking to make a move into low carbon heating solutions.

Spencer Clark is Commercial Director at Vaillant for the UK and Ireland and has been with the business for over 17 years and has worked in the plumbing and heating industry for over 30 years.  Spencer’s role includes looking after the specification and commercial side of the business.

Steve Keeton is Director of External Affairs and Future Portfolio at Vaillant and has been with Vaillant for 30 years. Steve is responsible for looking at relationships with both government ministers and officials and trade associations to try and understand what the future looks like in terms of legislation and regulations. 

Mark Danter, Senior Strategy Manager at Northern Gas. Mark has worked for various consultancies over the years but has been working for Northern Gas since 2012. Over the last four years, Mark has been leading the work on hydrogen and is also chair of the ‘network safety and impacts board’ which is led by a government body, part of base.

Mark Wilkins is Technologies and Training Director at Vaillant. As someone who has been working in the industry for almost forty years, Mark has a wealth of expertise and knowledge across all aspects of domestic and light commercial heating.  Having held a variety of roles across many markets, including the UK, Ireland, Germany and Turkey, Mark has a unique view of the industry including the development of boilers and an in-depth knowledge of sustainable heating solutions, such as heat pumps. 

 Want to find out more about the world of hydrogen?

What is hydrogen and where does it come from? More info can be found here: https://www.vaillant.co.uk/for-installers/business-support/industry-drivers-and-legislation/hydrogen/

Hydrogen and the Role of Green Gas in Decarbonising Heat courses available from Vaillant can be found at https://www.vaillant.co.uk/for-installers/training/training/online-training/#table_3 

Finally, to listen to other episodes of The Vaillant Podcast : www.buzzsprout.com/840097

For more information on how Vaillant is proudly supporting installers, please visit www.vaillant.co.uk/businesssupport and follow us on

The Vaillant Podcast is a heating industry podcast designed to support installers with every aspect of their working lives. In this shorter series our team of industry experts are joined by a host of guests to dive into the detail when it comes to a range of technical topics.

In this episode, Mark Wilkins speaks to two guests: Andrew Ireland and Michael Dawes to better understand how the Vaillant range of senso controls is helping make installers’, and their customers, lives easier - both now and into the future. Listeners can also hear first-hand from Andrew on some exciting developments which are on the horizon for the senso range over the coming months too.

Michael Dawes is the owner of Your Plumbing. Based in Northumbria, and with over a decade’s experience working in the trade, Michael works within the domestic market and is a Which? accredited Trusted Trader.

Mark Wilkins Training and Technologies Director at Vaillant. Having worked in the heating industry for more than 35 years, Mark heads up Vaillant’s training programme across the UK to external customers including specifiers, installers and designers.  

Andrew Ireland is Vaillant’s Digital Technologies Development Manager. As part of his role Andrew develops and manages the connected product hardware and software portfolio at Vaillant and was heavily involved in bringing the senso range of controls to market. 

Taking control with senso. Want to know more?

Want to find out more about the Vaillant range of senso controls? Visit: www.vaillant.co.uk/for-installers/products/controls-and-thermostats/senso-range/ 

For information on the range of training courses available from Vaillant, including an introduction to the senso range, visit: www.vaillant.co.uk/for-installers/training/training/online-training/ 

If you would like to learn more about Vaillant’s range of heat pumps, which when combined with advanced controls allows installers to create a ‘total system solution’ visit: www.vaillant.co.uk/for-installers/products/renewable-systems/ 

Vaillant Advance, for exclusive product offers, cash and credit rewards, extended guarantees: www.vaillant-advance.co.uk

Finally, to listen to other episodes of both The Vaillant Podcast and the Technical Series visit: www.buzzsprout.com/840097 

For more information on how Vaillant is proudly supporting installers, please visit www.vaillant.co.uk/businesssupport and follow us on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.

The Vaillant Podcast is a heating industry podcast designed to support installers with every aspect of their working lives. In this shorter series our team of industry experts are joined by a host of guests to dive into the detail when it comes to a range of technical topics.

In this episode Mark Wilkins speaks to two guests: Paul Honeyman and Neil Macdonald to examine the role water quality plays in an efficient heating system. In addition, the episode also covers Vaillant’s Advance Boiler Protection Kit, which activates an extended 10-year guarantee, when installed with the Vaillant ecoTEC exclusive, ecoTEC plus and ecoFIT pure boilers, and registered via Advance.

Neil Macdonald is Technical Manager at the Heating & Hotwater Industry Council (HHIC). Neil’s role sees him co-ordinating industry stake-holder engagement on a range of technical and policy focused issues. In addition, Neil is also responsible for a range of HHIC stake-holder groups, including the HHIC Boiler Technical Panel (which includes all major UK boiler manufacturers). 

Mark Wilkins Training and Technologies Director at Vaillant. Having worked in the heating industry for more than 35 years, Mark heads up Vaillant’s training programme across the UK to external customers including specifiers, installers and designers.  

Paul Honeyman is head of product management at Vaillant and has been with the business for more than 15 years. Paul’s current role sees him oversee all product management activity across the Vaillant UK business.

 Want to know more about water quality and its role in system efficiency?

Want to find out more about the Vaillant Advance Boiler Protection Kit, which when installed with the ecoFIT pure comes with an impressive 10 year guarantee? Visit www.vaillant.co.uk/for-installers/products/advance-protection-kit-79361.html 

For information on the range of training courses available from Vaillant including its online Water Quality course, visit: www.vaillant.co.uk/for-installers/training/training/online-training/ 

Vaillant Advance, for exclusive product offers, cash and credit rewards, extended guarantees: www.vaillant-advance.co.uk

To listen to other episodes of both The Vaillant Podcast and the Technical Series visit: www.buzzsprout.com/840097 

Finally, more information on the HHIC, listeners can visit: www.hhic.org.uk/ 

For more information on how Vaillant is proudly supporting installers, please visit www.vaillant.co.uk/businesssupport and follow us on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.

The Vaillant Podcast is a heating industry podcast designed to support installers with every aspect of their working lives. In this new shorter series, our team of industry experts is joined by a host of guests to dive into the detail when it comes to a range of technical topics.

In this first episode, we speak to three guests: Mark Wilkins, Craig Dolan and Christian Ford, to take a deep dive into the workings of heat pumps. The episode also covers Vaillant’s recently launched aroTHERM plus to find out how the business’ latest product development is enabling homeowners to reduce their overall household carbon emissions.

Christian Ford is a director at Indigo Renewables in Leicestershire. Established over 13 years ago its team has over 30 years’ experience in the heating and renewable sector, providing specialist installation of air and ground source heat pumps, along with biomass and solar thermal systems across the whole of the midlands region.

Mark Wilkins is head of training and external affairs at Vaillant. Having worked in the heating industry for more than 35 years, Mark heads up Vaillant’s training programme across the UK to external customers including specifiers, installers and designers.  

Craig Dolan is a product manager for heat pumps at Vaillant. As part of the renewable technologies team, Craig is responsible for the development of the business’ entire heat pump range across the UK.

Thinking of entering the world of renewables? Why Wait?

Vaillant Advance, for exclusive product offers, cash and credit rewards, extended guarantees and handy resources to help build your business resilience: https://vaillant-advance.co.uk

Renewable Technology courses available from Vaillant can be found at https://www.vaillant.co.uk/for-installers/training/training/online-training/#table_3 

For advice and support on business resilience, The Vaillant Podcast episode 4 features expert advice and practical tips – listen here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/840097/5088173-business-resilience-with-david-etheridge-carl-ohrman-and-andy-taylor 

Installers looking for more information on the support available as part of Vaillant’s Why Wait? campaign should visit: https://www.vaillant.co.uk/for-installers/businesssupport-1438491.html 

Finally, more information on Vaillant’s range of renewable systems, including heat pumps can be found here: https://www.vaillant.co.uk/for-installers/products/renewable-systems/ 

For more information on how Vaillant is proudly supporting installers, please visit www.vaillant.co.uk/businesssupport and follow us on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.

The Vaillant Podcast is a heating industry podcast designed to support installers with every aspect of their working lives. From mental health to marketing, fitness to finances; installers can tune in to learn how to enhance their earnings, learning and wellbeing. 

In this episode we speak to three guests: Mark Wilkins, Ryan Halliday and Christian Ford to learn more about how installers can safeguard their business with renewables. The episode covers the factors driving decarbonisation of heat, together with a closer look at how heat pumps are supporting this. In addition, both Christian and Ryan outline their own experiences around diversifying their businesses and the support available to those thinking of starting on their own renewable journey.

Ryan Halliday is a director at Roxburgh Heating, based in the Scottish Borders. Founded in 2005, the business supports both domestic and commercial customers, installing a variety of energy-efficient heating systems. As part of the business’ ongoing growth plans it has recently made the move into installing heat pumps.

Christian Ford is a director at Indigo Renewables in Leicestershire. Established over 13 years ago, its team has over 30 years’ experience in the heating and renewable sector, providing specialist installation of air and ground source heat pumps along with biomass and solar thermal systems across the whole of the midlands region.

Mark Wilkins is head of training and external affairs at Vaillant. Having worked in the heating industry for more than 35 years, Mark heads up Vaillant’s training programme across the UK to external customers including specifiers, installers and designers.  

 Thinking of entering the world of renewables? Why Wait?

Vaillant Advance, for exclusive product offers, cash and credit rewards, extended guarantees and handy resources to help build your business: https://vaillant-advance.co.uk

Renewable Technology courses available from Vaillant can be found at https://www.vaillant.co.uk/for-installers/training/training/online-training/#table_3 

For advice on business resilience, listen to The Vaillant Podcast episode 4  here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/840097/5088173-business-resilience-with-david-etheridge-carl-ohrman-and-andy-taylor 

Installers looking for more information on the support available as part of Vaillant’s #WhyWait Campaign should visit: https://www.vaillant.co.uk/for-installers/businesssupport-1438491.html 

Finally, more information on Vaillant’s range of renewable systems, including heat pumps can be found here: https://www.vaillant.co.uk/for-installers/products/renewable-systems/ 

To find out how Vaillant is proudly supporting installers, visit www.vaillant.co.uk/businesssupport and follow us on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.

The Vaillant Podcast is a heating industry podcast designed to support installers with every aspect of their working lives: from mental health to marketing, fitness to finances; installers can tune in to learn how to enhance their earnings, learning and wellbeing. 

In this episode we speak to three guests: David Etheridge, Carl Ohrman and Andy Taylor to hear their experiences on the highs and lows of the last few months. In addition, they each offer practical advice and tips on how installers can use some of the lessons from lockdown to boost their own business resilience and ensure that the bounce back is bigger than the set back.

Carl Ohrman is the owner of Midland Domestic Services based in Coventry. A second-generation family business, which was established in 1985 by Carl’s father. A small business, serving the Warwickshire and West Midlands area, Carl now employs three engineers alongside his wife.

David Etheridge is one of the Directors at Gasman Energy, a premium business, offering high end quality products to its customers. Based in Glasgow, the business has been running for just over 12 years and currently employs 14 engineers, 

Andy Taylor is Commercial Director at Electric House, a social media publisher behind online communities including On The Tools. Created especially for those working in the trades, On The Tools now has more than 4.5 million followers. The business itself is based in Birmingham and employs 64 people across a variety of functions including creative, production and design.

Looking for some tools and advice to boost your business resilience?

Vaillant Advance, for exclusive product offers, cash and credit rewards, extended guarantees and handy resources to help build your business resilience: https://vaillant-advance.co.uk

Quick Books: https://quickbooks.intuit.com/uk/

Info on card readers: https://www.mobiletransaction.org/card-machine-small-business-uk/

For advice and support on marketing your business, The Vaillant Podcast episode 2 featured expert advice and practical tips – listen here: https://bit.ly/2EbjcsE 

TradeGaze.com – a remote surveying tool, which can help save time when quoting jobs: https://tradegaze.com/register

To further support installers Vaillant has also launched its homeSAFE programme which is designed to help protect installers and their customers. From an in-depth health and safety training course, to handy infographics and marketing support, homeSAFE offers installer expert advice to assist you with building your business, following a long period of uncertainty: https://www.vaillant.co.uk/for-installers/services-and-support/homesafe/

For more information on how Vaillant is proudly supporting installers, please visit www.vaillant.co.uk/businesssupport and follow us on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.

The Vaillant Podcast is a heating industry podcast designed to support installers with every aspect of their working lives: from mental health to marketing, fitness to finances; installers can tune in to learn how to enhance their earnings, learning and wellbeing. 

In this episode, we speak to father and daughter team Danny and Sian Tickner from Samsian Ltd about the ups and downs of running a family business, and the perspectives of two different generations on the future of the industry. 

Established in 2010 and with more than 30 years’ experience, Samsian Ltd is a family-run business operating in Kent and South London, specialising in boiler installation, repair and service for domestic and commercial customers.

For more information and support with running a plumbing and heating business, visit www.vaillant-advance.co.uk 

#VaillantAdvance #BeyondtheBox #ProudlySupportingInstallers

The Vaillant Podcast is a heating industry podcast designed to support installers with every aspect of their working lives: from mental health to marketing, fitness to finances; installers can tune in to learn how to enhance their earnings, learning and wellbeing. 

In this episode we speak to two guests: James Lacey and Holly Hickey, to get their advice on how installers can use marketing basics to grow or maintain their businesses, without needing to be experts in the field or have a huge budget. 

James started off as a one-man band and grew his company, JLN Plumbing, to a limited business with more than 14 employees. His brand positioning, website, social media presence and customer service are excellent examples of best practice for a small business in this sector, providing inspiration for other installers who want to scale up their operation. 

Holly is a consultant for a specialist trade marketing agency that provides services to businesses in the plumbing and heating, construction and electrical sectors; from large conglomerates to small firms with one or two employees. Her work involves understanding complex trade businesses and providing tailored, realistic and scalable advice to enhance their reputations, communicate with customers and drive leads.

Looking for some tools and advice to improve your marketing credentials?

Vaillant Advance, for exclusive product offers, cash and credit rewards, extended guarantees and handy resources such as marketing packs to help build your business: https://vaillant-advance.co.uk

Facebook Analytics: https://analytics.facebook.com/

How to set up automated messages for Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/business/learn/lessons/set-up-automated-responses

Nextdoor, for local leads and getting to know your neighbourhood: https://nextdoor.co.uk/

Wix, free easy to use website builder: https://www.wix.com/

Sproutsocial, a tool for managing multiple social media accounts: https://sproutsocial.com/

Google AdWords, for online advertising through Google: https://ads.google.com/intl/en_uk/home/

Charted Institute of Marketing (CIM), if you want to take your marketing knowledge to the next level with an official qualification: https://www.cim.co.uk/

For more information on how Vaillant is proudly supporting installers, please visit www.vaillant.co.uk/businesssupport and follow us on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.

The Vaillant Podcast is a heating industry podcast designed to support installers with every aspect of their working lives: from mental health to marketing, fitness to finances; installers can tune in to learn how to enhance their learning, earnings and wellbeing. 

In this episode, installer and mental health advocate Gary Bedford speaks to expert Lauretta Wilson about how tradespeople can manage their mental health and support those around them. 

Lauretta is a HCPC and BPS-registered counselling psychologist with more than 20 years' experience working with children and young adults, adults, couples and families in the NHS, voluntary and charity sectors. At her private practice, The London Psychologist Centre, Lauretta uses solution-focused therapies which empower people to learn better ways to manage their stresses and strains. 

Gary is a Gas Safe registered engineer with more than two decades of experience in the trade, and has his own company, GRB Plumbing & Heating Limited. Gary is an advocate for mental health in the trade, and has led a number of discussions around the topic on social media and in the press.

Need more guidance on managing mental health issues?

NHS resources for stress, anxiety and depression

www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/

MIND, the mental health charity

www.mind.org.uk

Mates in Mind, a charity addressing the stigma of poor mental health and promoting positive mental wellbeing across workplaces

www.matesinmind.org

The Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM), a movement against suicide, the single biggest killer of men under 45

https://www.thecalmzone.net/

For more information on how Vaillant is proudly supporting installers, please visit www.vaillant.co.uk/businesssupportand follow us on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.