Speaking at the 2026 FETA Annual Luncheon held in London last week, Trewhitt welcomed representatives from across the built environment, including manufacturers, contractors, policymakers and academia, and thanked them for their continued support of the Federation.
He said the past year had been “formative” for FETA, set against a backdrop of political, economic and environmental change. With new governments prioritising energy security, decarbonisation and industrial collaboration, Trewhitt stressed that the sector is now firmly in the spotlight.
“The work we do in heating, ventilation, air conditioning, refrigeration, building controls and smoke control is no longer background infrastructure – it is critical national capability,” he said.
Trewhitt highlighted the increasingly important role trade associations play in shaping policy, revealing that FETA had taken part in an unprecedented number of consultations over the past year. A new structured workshop model has enabled faster, more robust responses to key issues including F-Gas regulation, construction product reform and late payment practices.
This collaborative approach, he said, has strengthened FETA’s standing with policymakers while setting “a new benchmark for industry engagement”.
The Federation’s profile has also grown significantly, with its combined LinkedIn following surpassing 31,600, helping to attract new members and amplify the industry’s voice.
Trewhitt extended a warm welcome to those new members, describing their involvement as vital to strengthening expertise across the organisation.
Providing an update from FETA’s associations, he pointed to progress across multiple areas. The Association of Ductwork Contractors and Allied Services (ADCAS) continues to lead on competence through EBSSA, while the British Flue & Chimney Manufacturers Association (BFCMA) is advancing work on standards and preparing for updates to Approved Document J.
The British Refrigeration Association (BRA) has focused on safety across all refrigerants and played a key role in F-Gas consultations, while the Building Controls Industry Association (BCIA) has expanded to nearly 200 members and more than 270 apprentices, with its recent white paper influencing Net Zero policy discussions.
In the heating and ventilation space, HEVAC has made progress on embodied carbon and standards alignment, reflecting rapid changes in the built environment.
Trewhitt also marked a major milestone for the sector: the merger of the Heat Pump Association, Ground Source Heat Pump Association and Heat Pump Federation to form HPA UK in January 2026, creating a single, unified voice for low-carbon heating.
Embodied carbon emerged as a key theme of the speech, with Trewhitt noting growing momentum behind FETA’s work in this area. Its Embodied Carbon Group is developing guidance and supporting industry readiness for potential regulation, including the proposed Part Z framework.
He also addressed the impact of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, stating that competence and certification are now industry-wide expectations. FETA’s associations are responding with new training, guidance and certification schemes, particularly in areas such as smoke control, ventilation and refrigeration safety.
Reflecting on the year, Trewhitt said the industry is becoming “stronger, more confident and more influential”, pointing to rising membership, increased visibility and deeper collaboration across associations.
He concluded by emphasising the importance of unity as the sector navigates political change, regulatory reform and technological advancement.
“When we work together, our industry is stronger, our voice is louder, and our impact is greater,” he said.