A NEW appointment at a Reading-based firm is hot stuff.
Leep Utilities, owner and operator of last-mile utility networks across the country, has appointed Richard Long as its director of heat.
For this role, he will lead the development of Leep’s heat business, aimed at helping customers have innovative and sustainable heat solutions.
He has played a key role in the development of the company’s heat strategy, and the direction and recent publication of its Heat Solutions brochure.
An expert in the UK’s heat market, Mr Long has more than 30 years’ experience delivering bespoke conventional and renewable heat solutions. This includes combined heat and power (CHP), district heating, heat pumps, biomass, wind, waste, heat storage, nuclear and other low-carbon technologies.
He brings a broad range of experience to Leep, having developed solutions to customers in the commercial, industrial, residential, water and public sectors, and has previously worked with Leep on a consultancy basis.
As Director of Heat, Richard will be responsible for leading Leep’s current heat activities and future growth within the sector – supported by the company’s industry-leading delivery, operational and business development functions.
It is part of the company’s expansion plans. In July, the last mile network utility operator secured additional investment from its majority shareholders Ancala Partners and The Peel Group. The new investment is helping Leep to deliver its significant order book and roll out new sites across the UK, along with further investing into its decarbonised heat initiatives.
Over the past year, Leep has doubled its vehicle fleet and increased its headcount by more than 80 per cent. The business now has a workforce of over 130 people.
Louise Manfredi, CEO of Leep Utilities, which recently moved into larger offices in the town’s Green Park business park, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Richard to Leep. His experience and expertise in low carbon, urban heat projects will help us further enhance our heat proposition.
“We can’t wait to work alongside him to provide innovative and sustainable heat solutions to our customers.”
And Mr Long said he was excited to be joining.
“Leep’s growth speaks for itself. I am really impressed by the potential of Leep’s existing MediaCityUK heat network, the breadth of its multi-utility business and the strength of the entire team,” he said.
