InstallerSHOW 2025: Kevin Wellman Joins the Conversation
In an interview recorded live at InstallerSHOW 2025, Kevin Wellman, CEO of the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE) was interviewed by Damian Walters, CEO of The British Institute of Kitchen, Bedroom & Bathroom Installation (BiKBBI) for a deep-dive discussion on a critical issue: Is licensing the key to raising standards for the plumbing and heating industry?
🎥 Watch the full interview here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2nUc614O7o
An Industry at a Crossroads
Speaking with passion and clarity, Kevin Wellman outlines the ongoing risks posed by the lack of consistent regulation and licensing in the plumbing and heating sector in the UK. He warns that while the industry plays a crucial role in safeguarding health, safety, and sustainability, not all practitioners are subject to the same levels of accountability.
"Without regulation, there’s no mechanism to guarantee competency," Kevin explains. "That puts both the public and the profession at risk."
Why Licensing Is Essential
Unlike the gas sector, where Gas Safe registration is mandatory, the wider plumbing and heating industry still allows unqualified individuals to operate under the radar. This opens the door to unsafe installations, poor workmanship, and serious consequences for consumers.
Kevin Wellman and the CIPHE believe it's time for change. Licensing would:
- Establish national standards for competence and safety.
- Protect the public from unqualified or negligent practitioners.
- Promote professional development and ethical conduct.
- Enhance trust in the industry and its skilled workforce.
Putting Public Safety First
The interview reinforces a shared view: public protection must come before commercial convenience. Regulation isn't about adding red tape; it's about ensuring that those who work on critical systems in homes and buildings are held to clear and enforceable standards.
As Kevin Wellman puts it, “Plumbing is not just about pipes. It’s about public health. The moment we treat it with the seriousness it deserves is the moment we start raising standards.”
What Comes Next?
The plumbing and heating industry is under increasing pressure to adapt - not just to technological change, but to growing consumer expectations and sustainability goals. Regulation and licensing are seen as fundamental tools to meet those challenges.
The conversation at InstallerSHOW 2025 signals a turning point in the ongoing campaign for reform. It sends a clear message: the future of the industry must be regulated, professional, and focused on protecting the public.