Launch of The Installation Assurance Authority Federation

We are delighted to announce the launch of The Installation Assurance Authority Federation (The IAAF), as an industry federation aimed at supporting Small to Medium Enterprises operating across the Energy Efficiency, Renewable Energy and Low Carbon Heating Footprint.  This newly formed federation will represent the interests of  installers and individuals, who will primarily deliver the Energy Efficiency Retrofit of the UK’s 29 million existing homes, as well as our public and private sector building stock.  It will provide representation for the industry nationally and help to support and shape Government(s) policy, ensuring that practical standards can be consistently delivered, to high quality.
 
The new federation will build upon the work and membership of the existing Installation Assurance Authority,  to provide both an inclusive support environment for existing and newly incorporated organisations and a clear focal point for the Governments of England, Scotland and Wales.  It will be chaired nationally by Mr Tony Hardiman MBE, who brings over 40 years of essential industry experience, of which over 16 has been as the leader of an industry federation.  Tony will help grow the federation to be the largest representative voice in our industry with Nigel Donohue, who will be The IAAF  CEO.  To ensure representation of the differing agendas in both Scotland and Wales, there will also be an IAAF Scotland chaired by George Donaldson and an IAAF Wales, chaired by Brian Canning.
 
Tony Hardiman MBE, the National Chairman of The IAAF said “This is an important time for the industry and the right time to be launching this new initiative in what is an election year.  I firmly believe is needed to help provide practical solutions that help unlock the supply chain and realise our Net Zero ambitions.  I am personally looking forward to engaging with the industry to better understand  their support needs and deliver some very real tangible outcomes.”
 
Nigel Donohue, The IAAF  CEO, said “The  new federation formalises our position as one of the largest representative bodies in the sector working with Government(s) and key stakeholders to help shape future policy, standards, training and skills and, importantly, provides an opportunity to broaden our support across the industry to  provide business advice and encourage growth at a time when our  industry is faced with huge opportunity.  Our focus on supporting SMEs as the key organisations that will deliver Net Zero, reflects our ambition to deliver sustained employment in the green jobs sector.  We are looking to work closely with existing like-minded bodies to ensure that policies are deliverable and practical, when it comes to their implementation and deliver the best value for money.”
 
 
George Donaldson The IAAF  Scotland Chairman said “Scotland has some real opportunities and a well-motivated supply chain. This new federation will help provide the support our industry needs to unlock public sector procurement and deliver  opportunities to  all levels.  We must work with the Scottish Government to ensure we have the right skills and key policy leavers to deliver an extensive retrofit programme for Scotland’s Homes.”
 
Brian Canning  The IAAF  Wales Chairman said ““For too long the industry has suffered at the whims of policy change making it challenging for SMEs to stay in the sector. With recent funding programmes, we’ve seen a resurgence but we have to maintain the momentum.  More needs to be done to grow the sector from the ground up, as well as from the heights of policy making, to ensure  a more sustainable and vibrant jobs market, providing a future for us all. That’s why The IAAF is a good thing. It will challenge the industry to do more, it will look to evidence growth in local jobs and the wider economy and be part of the spring board that will bring the country back to prosperity.”
 
The following organisations support the new IAA Federation:

Ian Rippin, CEO of MCS said, “I welcome the formation of this progressive cross-industry federation and as we navigate towards Net Zero, a representative body that recognises the interplay between renewable energy, energy efficiency, and low carbon heating is of the utmost importance.”
 
Sarah Kostense-Winterton, Chair of the EEIG said “As a supply chain representative coalition, the EEIG welcomes the launch of the IAAF to bolster support for the SME businesses that are on the front line of delivery in homes across the UK and are vital for the success of government energy efficiency and low carbon heat policy. The EEIG looks forward to working alongside the IAAF to develop and deliver practical, evidence-based policy with the government and further strengthening an industry with quality assurance and consumer confidence at its heart, whilst boosting both local jobs and economic prosperity. The IAAF will give the SMEs a vital voice with government and within the industry, and guiding these important businesses as they navigate the potential change with a new government after the general election later this year.”
 
 
Background Information - The IAAF
 
The Installation Assurance Authority Federation (The IAAF) provides Small to Medium Enterprises in the UK operating across the energy efficiency, green energy and low carbon heating footprint, with representation within the industry nationally, helping to support and shape Government policy and deliver high quality standards within the industry.  The federation is governed by both National Chair and Chairs for both Scotland and Wales, to ensure both inclusive representation across the UK and recognition of the differing policies for the devolved administrations.  
 

 

	Tony Hardiman MBE, Chair, The IAAF   Tony has been on CIGA’s Council since April 2010 and has always been a strong advocate of the industry and the benefits of insulation measures to help assist those in fuel poverty. Tony was awarded an MBE by HM the Queen in 2012 for services to the energy industry.   Latterly Tony was the MD and part owner of Dyson Energy Services and having left there in 2017, Tony now works to support CIGA’s Council as the Non-Executive Chairman and Chairman of The IAA. He continues to pursue his passion for the industry and has recently launched TH Energy Consulting offering support to manufacturers, installers, and energy suppliers.
	Nigel Donohue, CEO, The IAAF   Nigel has been the Chief Executive Officer of CIGA (Cavity Insulation Guarantee Agency) since 2016 and following the launch of The Installation Assurance Authority (The IAA) in April 2020 and The IAA Commercial Services (IAA CS) in October 2021 operates as the Group Chief Executive.   Nigel has been responsible for the transformation of CIGA into what is now a market leading compliance body across the insulation and renewable energy sector.  The IAA provide support to members with Government engagement, legal advice and support, consumer support and direct support to businesses with advice, guidance, and commercial services.  Nigel is the insulation installer lead on the PAS 2030 and PAS2035 Steering Group collating and representing industry views on the development of standards and sits on several bodies including the CLC People and Skills Working Group, The Government Green Jobs Taskforce and the Optimised Skills for Retrofit Working Group in Wales.    Nigel has led on the development of Insulation and Building Treatments Occupation Standards across the insulation sector and ensured that these are mirrored across the mandatory technical competencies required for the Competent Persons Schemes (CPS).   Under Nigel’s leadership The IAA has grown to be the largest representative body for the insulation sector covering all building fabric measures and it is increasingly expanding its reach across all renewable technologies and low carbon heating.
	Brian Canning, Chair, The IAAF Wales   Brian is currently the Managing Director of Evolve Home Energy Solutions Ltd, a whole house retrofit installer based in South Wales. Brian has over 20 years’ experience in the industry, delivering large scale energy efficiency programmes the length and breadth of the UK and Europe. He brings a wealth of knowledge and strong leadership to the role and is passionate about job creation, achieving net-zero and alleviating fuel poverty.
	George Donaldson, Chair, The IAAF Scotland   George is the Managing Director at Insulation Solutions (Scotland) Ltd and has been involved in the insulation industry in Scotland for many years.  He has the critical ear of the Scottish Government, including key opposition figures and as such is well placed to canvas for the industry on behalf of the federation.