Speaking at the Association’s Annual General Meeting, he welcomed the challenge of taking up the reins of UHMA at such an important time in its history, when the energy saving potential of underfloor heating is more important than ever.

Mike Lamb thanked Rod Hickmott the outgoing Chairman for his achievements. “During Rod’s year of office,” he said, “UHMA membership has increased by over a third and now virtually every major player in the industry is either a Member, or in the process of making an application to join. We’ve also established working links with industry bodies such as CIBSE, IPHE, IDHE and, of course, we are now working with HVCA on a joint initiative to bring underfloor heating into the SkillsCard scheme.

“2006 will see the 10th anniversary of the founding of the UHMA. Huge progress has been made. Underfloor Heating is now accepted as part of the mainstream of UK Building Services and is a standard solution for many types of project. In the commercial sector this includes foyers, atria, in fact, almost any area with a high ceiling, while domestically the major penetration of the self-build market is now accompanied by real interest from builders and developers of all types of homes.”

However, the new Chairman warned that it would be foolish to pretend that all resistance has been swept away. UHMA must concentrate on overcoming the last barriers to total acceptance.

“Strength and weakness can walk hand in hand,” he said. “Underfloor heating is strong because it becomes an integral part of the building structure. In the past it has been weak because it has to interface with a huge range of structural components and materials - in a way that other building services do not.”

The AGM also saw the election of Rex Ingram as Vice Chairman (and Chairman elect for 2007) and Martin Coates as Treasurer. Brian Sensecall continues in the post of UHMA Secretary.

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