Profile: Jeremy Hawksley,
Director General, OFTEC
Jeremy Hawwksley, Director General, OFTEC
Oil heating is an important sector in Northern Ireland, and one that is being given priority by OFTEC’s new Director General, Jeremy Hawksley...
• What is your background?
Originally I started out in public relations, and also worked for a lobbying organisation. I’ve spent the last 20 years in senior positions with trade organisations in the construction sector, something that has equipped me well for my new role with OFTEC.
• What is your view of the oil heating industry in Northern Ireland?
The sector remains very healthy, as it has been over the past 20-30 years. The majority of homes that have heating use oil. As there are a lot of rural properties without access to gas, we don’t envisage the market will change too much. Despite recent price hikes, oil is still good value compared to other fuels. The oil firing sector is also an integral part of the economy, with a lot of equipment and tank manufacturers based either in Northern Ireland or the Republic.
• What is OFTEC’s role in Northern Ireland?
Our aim is to lead the way with professionalism in the industry, through training of skilled technicians. Householders need to be secure in the knowledge that any work done in their home is safe and meets regulations. Heating systems that are designed and installed properly are more efficient, and save money for end-users.
• How does OFTEC operate in Ireland?
We have a manager for OFTEC Ireland – David Blevings – who is based near Belfast. In addition, Damien Keenan has just joined us as our representative for the Republic and is based in Dublin. With at least 300,000 homes using oil in Northern Ireland, and more in the Republic, the oil heating market is extremely important.
• What changes are happening in the oil heating market?
Mainly the move to condensing technology. Under Part L, all new or replacement boilers installed in Northern Ireland should now be high-efficiency condensing models. We’d like to persuade manufacturers to stop producing non-condensing models as, for the majority of installations, these are now illegal. The other trend is towards double skin or bunded plastic oil storage tanks. These are much safer than the old, single skin models.
• How is OFTEC Ireland changing?
To help raise standards within the industry, we’ll be launching a marketing campaign to persuade installers to become OFTEC registered. Registration gives installers status and credibility with householders, and means they are qualified to do the job properly.
Aside from that, OFTEC registration gives access to many other benefits such as free technical support, and a whole range of business services from an organisation called Prompt Payer, including low-cost debt collection. We’re also expanding the number of colleges that provide OFTEC training.
• Given environmental concerns over the supply of fossil fuels, can you give us your view on the long-term future for oil?
If only I had a crystal ball! Realistically, we are facing increasing pressure from Europe to cut carbon emissions, and some of this will be through draconian legislation. Biofuels offer a real chance to lower CO2 emissions, and studies have shown that using liquid biofuels for heating would be more effective than using them for transport.
We’re currently working together with several organisations to specify a B50 biofuel blend (50% biofuel) which will run on existing boilers.
That would mean householders wouldn’t need to change their existing boilers to help reduce carbon emissions. Hopefully the results will be available in the next 12 months, so watch this space!
For more information on OFTEC visit the website www.oftec.org
Return to the list of OFTEC news items