Ten years ago, when two graduate engineers walked into what was then a tiny office in Southwark to begin their careers in heat networks there were almost no regulations or consumer protection for residents connected to heat networks.

At their time of joining the only consumer protection governing the sector was the requirement to install end consumer meters following introduction of the Heat Network Metering & Billing regulation in 2014.

FairHeat was founded in 2015 with a clear vision to help improve the design, delivery, and operational standards of heat networks and to introduce much greater quality assurance into the sector to improve heat network performance. Just one year later Freddie Valletta and Dan Staunton joined when FairHeat was a team of just four people sharing a corner of an office above Borough Market.

The lack of quality assurance and regulation in the sector at the time is perhaps best summed up by one of Freddie’s earliest site visit- while he prepared to carry out an acceptance test exercise of the heat network a valve failed spectacularly and flooded an expensive apartment.

“It was my first afternoon carrying out acceptance testing on my own. Within about 30 minutes chaos had broken out. It was a nerve-wracking experience for a young engineer, but an investigation into the incident proved that the valve failed because the installation itself was faulty. When I look back on this now I think that my visit was symbolic of where the sector was at the time and a clear sign of why heat network regulation needed to be improved.”

Today, those same graduates are leading two of FairHeat’s departments.
And it’s a testament to how FairHeat have worked to improve the industry and how Freddie and Dan have grown that they are both now employed in senior company roles which focus on quality and technical standards with Freddie as Head of Quality Assurance, and Dan, as Head of Technical.

To celebrate their 10-year anniversaries at FairHeat, we sat down with them to reflect on a decade of growth, memorable moments, and what makes FairHeat such a special place to build a career. Back When FairHeat Was Four People and a Whiteboard

With FairHeat’s 100 or so staff now spread across three floors of Trowbray House in Southwark it’s hard to imagine that when Freddie and Dan joined, it was just four people in a small office with a whiteboard.

FairHeat’s current office is less than a mile from its first office but in terms of size and physical comforts the two workplaces are a world away.

“It was very much startup vibes,” Freddie recalls. “We were all sat around one table. The floor paint was peeling, there was a big grain hopper in the corner, and everyone knew everything that was happening across every project.”

Dan said: “I remember turning up (in a shirt that I still have in the cupboard). I don’t remember exactly what I did on my first day, but I do remember that it was focussed on the same issues we focus on today: how do we make heat networks better, how do we solve the problem it has, how do we deliver better standards so that there are less problems to solve.”

In those early years there were no sophisticated project management systems. Projects were tracked using sticky notes on a whiteboard, acceptance testing was completed using paper forms and clipboards, and many of the technical tools FairHeat has honed over the last decade, were only just being created.

More than Engineering

When asked what they’re most proud of, neither mentions a flagship project, a technical achievement or a promotion.

Instead, they both talk about people.

“The human side matters so much more than anything technical,” says Dan. “The biggest impact comes from those who bring others with them.”

One moment that stayed with Dan was helping a resident finally have a proper shower. He was investigating a heat network where a resident had endured four years of the water switching between hot and cold. The cause was two incorrectly connected sensors in a Heat Interface Unit (HIU). The resident has suffered with the problem for four years but after FairHeat were called in the fix took minutes. 

“We swapped the sensors and it worked straight away,” Dan recalls. “It showed me how getting these systems right can change people’s lives.”

The technical fix was simple, but reliable hot water restored the resident’s comfort and dignity. It reinforced FairHeat’s focus on the people who depend on every heat network.

“Residents have always been at the heart of our work,” says Dan. “Our projects and impact have grown, but that focus hasn’t changed.”

What makes FairHeat Different?

Freddie points to FairHeat’s culture as the company’s greatest achievement.

“We’ve grown from a handful of people into a business with multiple specialist teams, but we’ve managed to keep the same ethos throughout. People genuinely want to help each other succeed.”

That collaborative spirit came up again and again throughout the conversation.

“There’s a really non-competitive atmosphere here,” Freddie explains. “Nobody is trying to outdo anyone else. People support each other, share knowledge and help each other through challenges. I’ve made friends for life at FairHeat.”

Dan agrees.

“The people around you have far more influence on your career than they probably realise.”

Why Stay for 10 Years?

“The people around you have far moreIn a world where changing jobs every few years has become the norm, staying with one company for a decade is increasingly rare.

So why have they stayed?

For Freddie, it’s simple.

“The work has purpose. We get to improve people’s experiences of heat networks, support residents who rely on the, reduce carbon emissions and see the impact of what we do every day.”

For Dan, it’s about having the ability to shape the business.

“You can have ideas here. You can spot a problem, suggest an improvement and make a difference. That’s unusual. At some companies you’re just a cog in a machine. FairHeat has always encouraged people to contribute[DS1] .

“Me and Freddie spent our first two years at FairHeat developing processes, tools, and templates. They felt important and I believe they still are. But we aren’t wedded to those old tools and processes. The younger engineers now have free reign to reimagine those templates and processes and to develop new solutions. “We like to provide some guardrails but the key is not to block or get in the way of progress.”

“That means mentorship, guidance and having to swallow your pride and accept that there are better ways of doing things. The latter element of that means that we get challenged but the outcomes are always so rewarding!”influence on your career than they probably realise.”

The Secret to 10 Years?

Dan summed it up perfectly: “We’ve had a really good time along the way. There have been countless funny stories, lots of friendships, and plenty of opportunities to grow. That’s not something you should take for granted.”

Ten years on, Freddie and Dan have helped shape FairHeat into the company it is today.
And in creating new processes, new systems and new tools they’ve helped to lay the groundwork for higher standards, a process which FairHeat and industry partners are still working on with the development of the new, now draft,  Heat Network Technical Assurance Scheme (HNTAS).

Perhaps more importantly, they embody what FairHeat has always been about: curiosity, collaboration, purpose and a willingness to roll up your sleeves and make things happen.

Congratulations to both of them on an incredible 10 years. Here’s to the next decade.
And yes, Dan still maintains that joining two weeks before Freddie gives him permanent bragging rights.