Energy Efficiency Partnership for Homes has appointed Professor David Strong as its new Chair.

The Partnership is an independent, collaborative network of more than 575 supply chain organisations involved in the delivery of energy efficiency products and services to UK consumers.  It acts as a neutral space for members to work together to inform the practicality of government initiatives on domestic energy efficiency, carbon savings, energy security and the eradication of fuel poverty.

The Partnership has been particularly successful in recent months in providing the Government with practical insights into the forthcoming Household Energy Management strategy, as well as the extension of CERT (Carbon Emissions Reduction Target) and the introduction of CESP (Community Energy Saving Programme). It has some 75 different streams of work covering topics as diverse as consumer electronics and white goods, local authority engagement, fuel poverty, glazing, heating, insulation and lighting, and newbuild and 'hard to treat' homes.

Professor Strong is chief executive of sustainability consultancy Inbuilt and also chairs DIAG, the group that advises on the implementation of the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive in the UK.  He will be working to build the Partnership's profile at government, civil service and industry level.

David Strong says:

"Since its inception over 10 years ago, the Partnership has grown and developed into one of the most effective and influential networks for improving the energy performance of homes and addressing fuel poverty in the UK.  I feel immensely privileged to be invited to Chair the Partnership and to build on the foundations so ably laid by my predecessor, Professor John Chesshire.  My priority is to work with the members to transform the way we achieve energy and carbon savings, particularly in the existing housing stock.  There are vital challenges ahead in meeting Government targets associated with carbon reduction and in eradicating the scourge of fuel poverty, and it is through the collaborative approach of the Partnership that we will achieve the most long-lasting, practical results."

Mark Brown, director of the Partnership, says:

"We have seen a dramatic increase in policy initiatives, regulations, programmes and schemes for energy and carbon saving in the household sector in the last 12 months alone.  We are delighted David Strong will be with us to provide high level leadership during this critical time to find new ways to cut carbon emissions from the household sector."

Andrew Warren and William Gillis, Deputy Chairs of the Partnership, say:

"As the two elected deputy chairs of the Partnership, we look forward to working with Professor Strong in ensuring that the Partnership continues to serve the best interests of the thousand or more people who are currently actively involved with our work, as well as those of all the different government departments we are pleased to work alongside to our mutual benefit."