The Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (IPHE), has been awarded royal charter status.
The professional body for the plumbing and heating industry will become the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE) from this summer.

Making the announcement at the IPHE annual president's dinner on March 5, Grant Nicoll, the institute's president said 'Congratulations to our chairman Reg James, chief executive Blane Judd and all of the head office team who have worked tirelessly for the last two years to secure this recognition for the contribution our institute makes to the safety and health of the public and the environment'.

He added 'The granting of the charter also underlines the professionalism of our membership and in time the initials CIPHE will be recognised as the sign of professionally qualified and hence competent plumbing and heating engineers.'

For Nicoll, his year of presidency marks 50 years in the plumbing and heating industry, who began working as a self-employed plumber from Dundee in Scotland,

The president also announced a nationwide campaign amongst the 12,000 members of the IPHE to promote recognition of the chartered institute.