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RISE podcast

RISE podcast

Retrofit Information, Support and Expertise 128 Episodes Aug 19, 2026

Retrofit Information, Support and Expertise (RISE) is a Government-backed, expert-led service offering free training, guidance and support to social housing providers and local authorities. These podcasts share insights, good practices, and lessons learned from domestic retrofit and Warm Homes projects. They are intended for informational purposes only and do not endorse specific suppliers or products.

Episodes

Shaping housing policy with Jade Advocacy
Shaping housing policy with Jade Advocacy Aug 19, 2026 00:25:03 Claire Brown is joined by Jade Lewis, Chief Executive and Consultant at Jade Advocacy, to explore how cross-sector collaboration can help turn housing policy into meaningful action.Jade shares her journey into advocacy and the retrofit sector and explains how she works with government departments, local authorities, industry and parliamentary groups to influence policy around energy efficiency, ho
Thermal comfort all year round with Klimatica
Thermal comfort all year round with Klimatica Aug 12, 2026 00:28:38 In this episode, host Adam Armour-Florence is joined by Dr Victoria Tink, co-founder of Klimatica and a leading expert in energy efficiency, thermal comfort and overheating risk. Drawing on her experience developing UK Building Regulations, Victoria explores why creating comfortable homes throughout the year is a fundamental part of successful retrofit, and why overheating should be considered alo
Optimising management of assets for long-term retrofit projects with Cotality
Optimising management of assets for long-term retrofit projects with Cotality Aug 5, 2026 00:31:41 In this episode of the RISE Retrofit Information Support and Expertise podcast, Claire Brown is joined by Russell Smith, Director at Cotality, to explore the vital role of asset management in delivering successful large-scale retrofit programmes. Drawing on his experience in decarbonisation, data, and infrastructure asset management, Russell explains how a structured, data-driven approach helps or
Blended funding with SMS Energy
Blended funding with SMS Energy Jul 29, 2026 00:21:41 In this episode, Claire Brown is joined by Tom Woolley, Director of Low Carbon Residential at SMS Energy, to explore the role of blended funding in delivering retrofit at scale. Drawing on SMS Energy's experience of deploying millions of smart meters through private infrastructure investment, Tom explains how similar funding models can be used to accelerate the rollout of technologies such as
Training future retrofit workers with Capital City College
Training future retrofit workers with Capital City College Jul 22, 2026 00:23:45 In this episode, host Adam Armour-Florence is joined by Mishary Alfahad, Head of the Green Academy at Capital City College, to discuss the growing retrofit sector and the skills needed to build a future-ready workforce.Drawing on his experience in employability, skills development and green training, Mishary shares how education providers are helping people access careers in retrofit through pract
Heat pumps in retrofit schemes
Heat pumps in retrofit schemes Jul 15, 2026 00:17:18 Claire Brown is joined by Stevie Mardy, Key Account Manager at Panasonic Heating & Cooling Solutions, to explore the growing role of heat pumps in retrofit projects.Stevie shares insights from working with housing associations and local authorities to deliver low carbon heating solutions, discussing the practical opportunities and common challenges of installing heat pumps in existing homes. T
Retrofit guides for residents
Retrofit guides for residents Jul 8, 2026 00:26:25 Host Claire Brown explores the importance of retrofit guides for residents through a case study from Stoke Climsland Parish Council in the South West of England.Claire is joined by Richard Davies, Vice Chair of Stoke Climsland Parish Council and Chair of its Carbon Zero Committee, who discusses the council’s work to support whole-house retrofit across the parish. The conversation introduces the lo
HPA UK, the heat pump market and what's to come
HPA UK, the heat pump market and what's to come Jul 1, 2026 00:49:04 In this episode, Adam Armour-Florence is joined by Charlotte Lee, Chief Executive of the Heat Pump Association UK (HPA UK), and Laura Bishop, Co-Chair of HPA UK.  The discussion begins by introducing the newly formed organisation, which brings together three previous trade bodies to provide a single voice for the sector. HPA UK works with government and industry to improve standards, support insta
Transition from ECO to Warm Homes with InstaGroup
Transition from ECO to Warm Homes with InstaGroup Jun 30, 2026 00:23:21 In this episode, host Adam Armour-Florence is joined by Ed Andrews, Commercial Director at InstaGroup, to explore the transition from the ECO and GBIS funding schemes to the government's new Warm Homes Plan.Drawing on InstaGroup's extensive experience in retrofit delivery, Ed discusses how the sector is adapting to a fundamentally different operating model that places greater emphasis on whole hou
The importance of ventilation with Farmwood
The importance of ventilation with Farmwood Jun 24, 2026 00:38:10 Adam Armour-Florence speaks with Nathan Wood, Managing Director of Farmwood, about the growing importance of indoor air quality and building health in the drive towards more energy-efficient homes.Nathan shares insights from over two decades working across residential and commercial ventilation systems, discussing how retrofit projects can succeed or fail depending on whether ventilation is proper
Retrofit Credits with HACT
Retrofit Credits with HACT Jun 10, 2026 00:25:32 In this episode, Claire Brown is joined by Antoine Pellet, Head of Retrofit Credits at HACT, to explore how social landlords can unlock additional funding from retrofit projects through the Retrofit Credits programme. The conversation examines how retrofit measures such as insulation, solar panels and heat pumps can generate verified carbon credits, alongside measurable social value linked to impr
LGBTQ+ focused resident engagement
LGBTQ+ focused resident engagement Jun 3, 2026 00:34:03 Host Claire Brown is joined by Jack Mason, LGBTQ+ Housing Pledge Coordinator at Stonewall Housing, and Sarah Willcox-Jones, Property Services Improvement Specialist at L&Q, to explore the importance of inclusive resident engagement within retrofit programmes.The episode highlights the unique housing challenges faced by LGBTQ+ residents, including safety concerns, isolation, discrimination and

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