Craig Gilhome from Prudhoe in Northumberland has been named as the UK’s Best Heating Installer 2025. Having won the title of Best Heating Installer in the North East earlier in the year, Craig went on to beat finalists from all other regions in the UK, and takes home the coveted award.
In addition to the national title, Craig also brought home the winner’s trophy for Best HVAC Installer 2025, which was a new award introduced last year, making Craig the second ever winner. The award celebrates installers who have delivered a system to customers that not only heats but also cools their homes, improving air quality and ventilation.
Loughton’s Shaun Bone of Blue Flame MK Ltd, who was awarded Best Installer in the South East earlier in the year, was presented with the award for the UK’s Best Sustainable Installer 2025.
Meanwhile Jessica Rose from Herefordshire was crowned the industry’s 2025 Rising Star, and Joshua Bond of Off Grid Plumbing and Heating Ltd from Cornwall was awarded the Heating Installer Awards 2025 National Runner Up trophy.
In a packed arena, the trophies were presented to this year’s winners by previous winners who have gone on to become some of the leading voices within the sector, championing sustainability and renewables in particular.
Commenting on his win, Craig said:
“I’ve seen how winning this award can change the future for an installer, and I’m just so humbled to win in 2025. The people I’ve been up against are some of the biggest names in the trade today. I knew I’d done a great job on a really challenging project, and I’m so happy that the work I put in has been recognised – thank you everyone.”
The nationwide awards scheme, now in its tenth year, recognises the achievements and raises the credibility of plumb ers and heating installers across the country who deliver excellent customer service on a daily basis. Representatives from the awards’ partners and sponsors CIPHE, Stelrad , The IPG, Polypipe Building Products, Refresh, Samsung Climate Solutions, and Powered Now, as well as a team of previous winning installers, judged the entries on problem solving, product knowledge and stand out work. To become a sponsor for 2026, please contact Laura on hia@refreshpr.co.uk.
Laura Mashiter, awards founder, said:
“Year on year our judges see the standard of entries getting higher and higher. Our regional finalists are all worthy winners, so those receiving trophies today have done incredibly well. Next year we launch The Plumber Awards to complement the Heating Installer Awards, and I’m sure the competition will be as high there too.”
All winners enter a project they have completed for a homeowner, followed by a technical challenge set by an industry-leading installer, to demonstrate their expertise, and an open vote. All three elements make up the final result.