News
The FirstPort Group Forms Dedicated Energy Team to Meet New Regulatory Standards
Property management company The FirstPort Group, which manages over 100 heat networks across the UK, has set up a dedicated Energy Team. The team will support clients in meeting the requirements introduced under the Energy Act 2023 – a landmark reform set to transform the management of communal heat networks and enhance service reliability for residents.
The Act, which began rolling out earlier this year, introduces mandatory registration, performance monitoring, and compliance standards for communal and district heat networks, which are systems that supply heating, hot water, and sometimes cooling to multiple homes via insulated pipes, using fuels such as gas, electricity, or biomass.
These changes are designed to give residents greater protection, including fairer and transparent billing, improved communication, and a more reliable service from heat network operators.
Ofgem has been appointed as the official regulator, requiring owners and operators – such as building freeholders – to register their heat network by the end of 2025.
The heat networks will be covered by Ofgem’s Heat Network Technical Assurance Scheme (HNTAS), which sets clear standards for data capture, service quality, and transparency.
Property managers like FirstPort will play a critical role in ensuring compliance and the Energy Team will be essential in making sure these measures are fully implemented in line with the Act’s requirements, giving clients confidence that their heat networks comply with the new regulations.
To navigate this transition, FirstPort’s Energy Team brings together technical and financial expertise into one unified function, covering:
- Energy procurement
- Operational delivery
- Metering & billing services
- Customer services
- Technical oversight
The new Energy Team consists of:
Stuart Wilcox CEng MIET – Head of Critical Infrastructure
As one of the UK’s leading energy management experts, Stuart provides strategic oversight of critical assets across FirstPort developments.
Stuart said: “The Energy Act 2023 marks a significant shift in how energy centres are regulated and managed. At FirstPort, we’re committed to staying ahead of these changes to ensure our developments remain compliant, efficient, and future-ready.
“Expanding our specialist team enables us to deliver the high standards our customers expect while embracing the opportunities these reforms bring for smarter, more sustainable infrastructure.”
As part of Stuart’s work at FirstPort, he spearheaded the launch of its AI-powered smart buildings platform. During the pilot, the software identified more than 5,000 litres of water per hour being unnecessarily heated and unused. After adjustments, the system is projected to save homeowners over £26,000 annually.
Ana Poianu MSc – Energy Manager
Ana brings extensive experience to her new role, including three years within FirstPort’s technical team. Ana oversees sustainability initiatives, cost optimisation, and regulatory compliance.
Claire Barnett CPFA – Head of Energy Finance
Claire oversees financial planning and compliance for energy operations, ensuring cost-effective reforms. Her focus is on transparency, strong controls, and robust debt management to meet client and customer needs.
Janine Johnson – Smart Buildings Project Manager
Janine oversees the implementation of heat network regulatory requirements. Her role is key in ensuring the successful rollout of its smart buildings platform, which monitors the performance and condition of a building’s essential systems – from heat networks to lifts – in real time. Much of her work will be essential for compliance with the Energy Act.
With the Energy Act setting a new benchmark for heat network regulation, FirstPort’s Energy Team is not just responding to change, it’s driving it.
By combining technical expertise, financial rigour, and smart technology, FirstPort is ensuring its clients stay ahead of compliance while delivering smarter, greener, and more reliable energy solutions for residents across the UK.
Principle Celebrates Seventh Chartered Surveyor and Trio of Staff on Prestigious List
The qualification of a seventh Chartered Surveyor has been celebrated at Principle Estate Management, along with three other staff members achieving coveted places on a prestigious property sector list.
The Birmingham-based company’s property director Polly Dyer has become a Member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (MRICS).
And Esme Williams, operations manager at Principle, along with Jessica Deller and Tanya Malik, both property managers at the company, all appeared on the latest Property Management 50 list, which highlights the top 50 property managers across the UK.
Brett Williams, co-founder and joint managing director at Principle, who supported Ms Dyer’s progress as her official RICS counsellor, said: “Congratulations to Polly on her accomplishment.
“Polly is our seventh Chartered Surveyor at Principle which, out of just over 100 people, is a high percentage for any managing agent.
“Her dedication and perseverance throughout this journey exemplifies the leadership we value at Principle.
“As our sector heads towards formal regulation, having Chartered Surveyors in the business could become a mandatory requirement, which we would welcome, as we have three more colleagues on the route to becoming Chartered.”
Ms Dyer worked in a range of property management roles over the past decade before joining Principle in November 2023, following a career in the RAF.
She now leads on all the company’s property management functions, overseeing the management of its portfolio to make sure it is maintained to the highest standards.
Ms Dyer said: “This achievement is more than a personal milestone, it embodies the very heart of Principle’s competency framework, a structured approach designed to nurture talent, promote progression and future-proof our business.”
Meanwhile Joe Jobson, joint managing director at Principle, congratulated the company’s three staff who made the Property Management 50.
Mr Jobson said: “We’re delighted and very proud that three of our team have been named in the Property Management 50.
“Ms Williams made the Rising Star category after she was nominated for managing significant concurrent projects that drive operational improvements across the business.
“Ms Deller was named in the Property Manager category after being nominated for her exceptional client service, technical competency, and commitment to professional excellence.
“And Tanya Malik, also named in the Property Manager category, was nominated for her project delivery capabilities, and commitment to going above and beyond for every stakeholder.”
Future Group Expands Fire Division with Specialist Smoke Control Department
Future Group has announced the launch of a new specialist department within its Fire Division: Future Smoke Control Solutions. This development reflects a growing focus on smoke control as a critical component of fire safety across the leasehold sector.
The newly established department will concentrate on the design, installation, and maintenance of key smoke control systems, including:
- Smoke Extraction Systems - Safely removing smoke to protect both occupants and property.
- Car Park Extraction Systems - Ensuring visibility and safe evacuation in enclosed parking areas.
- Pressurisation Systems - Maintaining smoke-free escape routes during fire events.
- Fire Curtains - Containing fire and smoke spread in open-plan spaces.
- Automatic Opening Vents (AOVs) - Supporting natural smoke and heat ventilation.
- Fire Dampers - Protecting ductwork and compartmentalising smoke within buildings.
- Luke Clarke, who is leading the department, commented:
"The launch of Future Smoke Control Solutions marks an exciting step for our Fire Division. It enables us to deliver specialist smoke control solutions with the same high standards and reliability Future Fire is known for."
The introduction of this specialist department underscores the increasing importance of smoke control expertise in modern fire safety. It also highlights Future Group’s commitment to innovation and maintaining safe, well-protected buildings through dedicated technical knowledge and a structured approach to complex fire safety challenges.
For more information on Future Smoke Control Solutions, reach out to Future Group today.