Will Hoyer Millar, co-founder of Installio, shares how his company is using technology and workforce development to scale heat pump deployment in the UK and how the newest addition to the Installio team, Lord Callanan, will accelerate this visionary company’s ambition to transform the heat pump industry.
From startups to sustainability
Will is no stranger to building businesses that solve large-scale operational problems, having previously founded Lantern, a staffing solution for NHS locum doctors, and Geomiq, a marketplace for custom-manufactured parts. Two very different markets but combining to enable Will to acquire invaluable expertise in the development of tech solutions in workforce management and quality control. Now, he is applying those lessons to the clean energy transition with Installio.
“I wanted to work on something that would get me jumping out of bed in the morning,” Will explains. His co-founder, Michael May, a former McKinsey consultant in green ventures, had been working in Germany, where companies were making good progress in deploying heat pumps at scale. Together, they identified a critical bottleneck in the UK: the lack of trained installers.
The installer bottleneck
“We simply don’t have enough qualified installers to meet government targets,” says Will. “It takes three years to train a heating engineer, and there are only around 9,000 in the country who can install heat pumps. With a target of 600,000 installs per year as soon as possible, the numbers just don’t add up.”
Installio is tackling this issue through a two-pronged approach:
- Firstly, digitising installation workflows to increase efficiency and maintain quality.
- Secondly, breaking down barriers to entry by enabling new workers to enter the trade quickly and safely.
The Installio approach
At the heart of Installio’s model is an ‘Installer Copilot’—a digital tool designed to guide workers through installations step by step, ensuring quality control at every stage.
“The technology effectively gives people 20 years of experience in the palm of their hands,” Will explains with evident enthusiasm. “It allows us to rapidly onboard new installers who, from day one, can contribute to delivery of the bulk of the project that does not require them to have formal qualifications.”
While key steps – such as decommissioning gas boilers and final commissioning – require a certified engineer, Installio’s system allows less experienced workers to handle the bulk of the installation process under expert supervision. This model mirrors successful strategies in Germany, where companies train and deploy workers in just seven weeks.
A business-to-business model
Unlike other startups focused on the customer journey, Installio is dedicated to the installation process itself. “We’re completely B2B,” Will comments. “There are companies experiencing this bottleneck problem due to installer capacity constraints. We want to be their tech-driven installation partner. We work with energy providers, heat pump manufacturers, and social housing projects to deliver high-quality installations at scale.”
New network model
Initially, Installio set out to train, hire, and deploy its own internal teams and training academies to de-bottleneck the labour shortage of heat pump engineers. However, the company quickly realised that there is an abundance of skilled workers who are inhibited by perceived lack of experience and high entry barriers such as certification and training.
Installio removes these traditional barriers by providing on-the-job training and accelerating the entry process for new installers.
The addition of Raph Sibille as Head of Product and Rob Reid as Founding Engineer has further strengthened Installio’s senior team, with Raph bringing over a decade of experience in technology, home energy and heat pumps and Rob, with18 years industry experience, having overseen over 800 installations.
Under this powerful leadership, the company now aims to be the platform that enables the UK’s largest independent network of heat pump installers, equipping them with cutting-edge technology to scale operations and address the critical labour shortage.
Tech-enabled installation platform
The Installio Installer Co-Pilot is central to this approach, unlocking the full potential of a national network of installers.
The Co-Pilot tool:
- Digitises and standardises installation workflows to enhance speed and accuracy.
- Provides step-by-step guidance, simplifying complex tasks into manageable actions.
- Offers on-the-job training and real-time technical support through an “Engineer-on-Demand” feature for less experienced installers.
Key features include:
Seamless job management
- Installio designs, manages, and ships jobs via its platform directly to its vetted network of installers, covering everything from home surveys and system design to commissioning and aftercare.
- Every stage of the process is optimised for efficiency and quality.
Stage-gated workflow and rigorous quality control:
- Digital workflows and mandatory photo uploads ensure transparency and accountability.
- Regional Installio teams onboard and vet installers, inspect completed jobs, and provide rapid responses for issues and aftercare.
Integrated B2B approach:
- Installio collaborates with energy providers, OEMs, regional installers, and house builders to offer end-to-end installation-as-a-service.
- The company takes full responsibility for quality control, job coordination, and technical support.
Workforce development focus:
- Installio removes traditional barriers like lengthy certification processes, empowering new installers and maximising skill utilisation.
- The Installer Co-Pilot accelerates onboarding and training, addressing labour shortages and enabling rapid growth.
- Regional support provides dependable coverage across the UK, empowering partners to scale confidently.
Lord Callanan joins Installio
In a major milestone for the company, Installio has welcomed Lord Martin Callanan as its newest Non-Executive Director. A champion of energy efficiency and green finance, Lord Callanan has played a pivotal role in shaping policies to electrify home heating and reduce carbon emissions.
As Minister for Energy Efficiency and Green Finance, he championed policies to ramp up heat pump installations, strengthen energy independence, and ensure the UK remains a leader in the green transition. With a background in engineering and a legacy of driving impactful change, Lord Callanan brings invaluable insight to Installio’s journey.
“We didn’t think it was possible to find someone even more passionate about heat pumps than we are – but we found that in Lord Callanan,” says Installio CEO and Co-Founder Michael May. “His unmatched expertise and commitment to scaling clean energy make him the perfect partner as we continue to innovate and grow Installio.”
Reflecting on his new role, Lord Callanan said: “I’m honoured to join Installio at such an exciting time. Heat pumps are critical to achieving our net-zero goals, and Installio’s innovative approach is exactly what we need to accelerate adoption and make clean heating the norm. I look forward to working with Michael, Will, and the team to scale this game-changing solution.”
The future for heat pump installations
Lord Callanan’s involvement comes as Installio accelerates its mission to address the skilled labour shortage and unlock the UK’s heat pump potential. By combining its rapidly growing network with cutting-edge technology, Installio is redefining what’s possible for the clean energy transition.
“We’re at an inflection point,” Will concludes. “If we get this right, we can help make heat pumps the default heating solution in the UK.”
The main image shows the Installio senior team (from l to r): Rob Reid Founding Engineer, Michael May Founder & CEO, Will Hoyer Millar Founder & CCO and Raphael Sibille Head of Product.
Images provided by Installio
