Meet the Experts: Matthew Brookes, National Training Operations Manager

Matthew Brookes’ journey in the heating and hot water industry began in 1991 when he joined British Gas as a Service Engineer straight out of school. Over the next three decades, he built an impressive career, excelling in roles like Technical Support Manager and Training Manager, where he led teams, developed apprentices, and delivered technical training to thousands of engineers across the UK.

In November 2020, Matthew joined Ideal Heating’s Expert Academy as a Technical Trainer. At the time, the Academy was a small team of five, working out of two training rooms in Hull. However, it didn’t take long for Matthew’s expertise, leadership, and vision to shine.

Rapidly promoted to Senior Training Manager, Matthew now oversees national operations for the Expert Academy, which has grown to become a cornerstone of Ideal Heating’s training arm. Under his leadership, the team has tripled in size, and the Academy has expanded its facilities and course offerings, including a flagship training centre in Hessle.

“It’s been an incredible journey,” Matthew reflects. “When I joined, the business was already making strides in low-carbon technology. Over the last four years, we’ve expanded our expertise, introduced new low-carbon courses, and built partnerships with awarding bodies to become an approved training provider for assessed low-carbon courses. I’m proud of the role I’ve played in enhancing our training offerings and preparing our engineers for the future.”

Matthew’s work has also supported the development of new technologies and products. His expertise has taken him across Europe to partner sites, where he’s collaborated on projects that keep Ideal Heating at the forefront of the industry.

He’s particularly proud of securing accreditation to deliver certified F-Gas training, a milestone that met a critical business need as demand for heat pumps surged.

“Our industry is fast-paced, and our team has to stay ahead of the curve,” he explains. “The combination of innovative facilities and our team’s expertise means we’re equipping installers with the skills they need to thrive in a changing market.”

Matthew’s passion for preparing installers to embrace low-carbon technologies is unwavering. “The transition to energy-efficient heating systems is essential for the future, and we need skilled engineers to lead the way,” he says.

With Matthew at the helm of the Expert Academy’s operations, Ideal Heating is empowering installers to succeed in the industry’s low-carbon future.

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