With over 30 years of leadership experience in cross-cultural business across the USA, Nordics, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, Henrik joined Vaillant in 2016 and has been managing director of the group’s UK and Ireland operations since January 2022. As chair of HHIC, he is positioned to guide efforts supporting the UK’s ongoing decarbonisation programme, ensuring a swift and sustainable industry transition.
“The HHIC has a vital role to play in the complex challenge that is decarbonising heat. As a whole industry across manufacturers, merchants and installers, we must all be active and engaged when it comes to educating and raising awareness of the challenges the heating industry faces, whilst seeking to help others working in the arena to see the issues from several points of view,” he says.
“As an industry, we are technology agnostic. A multi-technology approach is likely the most pragmatic solution to move swiftly and effectively.
“We are at a pivotal time in the heating industry so Government and industry need to work closer than ever to transition to a low carbon future. Broader collaboration is needed across industry to help give the consumer more choice and more opportunities when choosing a new heating system, providing clarity and direction to homeowners across the UK.”
Meeting the challenges of decarbonising heating and hot water
HHIC Director Stewart Clements welcomed Henrik’s appointment: “We are very pleased to announce Henrik’s appointment as Chair and extend our thanks to outgoing Chair, Karen Boswell. As an organisation, we are incredibly fortunate to have Henrik’s leadership alongside an experienced and diverse Board from organisations across the industry.
“The HHIC is the UK’s leading body in domestic heating and hot water and we are committed to using our knowledge and expertise to navigate the journey to Net Zero. A technology-agnostic and system-wide approach is key for the industry to be able to move forward with practical solutions to meet the challenges in decarbonising heating and hot water in the incredibly varied housing stock we see in homes in the UK.
“I want to thank Henrik for his commitment to the industry and also for giving up his time to support the organisation at this pivotal time.”