The Future Homes Hub caught up with Matthew Pratt, CEO of Redrow, to hear about his new role of Co-Chair of the Future Homes Standard Implementation Board.

It’s a privilege to be taking up the role of co-chair of the Future Homes Standard implementation board alongside Catherine Adams, helping to collaboratively drive vital change through our industry. 

Transitioning to new, low carbon forms of energy is something I’ve always been passionate about and since becoming CEO of Redrow in 2020, we’ve worked hard to respond to the climate crisis as one of our highest business priorities. 

This culminated in our announcement in January 2023 that all upcoming Redrow developments would feature air source heat pumps, two years ahead of the Future Homes Standard deadline. I felt strongly that by making this change now, rather than incremental steps in the build-up to 2025, it would ensure our homes are future proofed for customers and it’s been very encouraging to see such a positive reception to the announcement. 

We have seen the demand for energy-efficient features from homebuyers increase substantially in recent years. In fact, research we conducted recently shows that three quarters (74%) of UK adults admit that living in an energy efficient home is more important to them now compared to a year ago, while 83% said they would be willing to pay more for an energy efficient home*. 

It’s worth remembering, of course, that new homes are already extremely energy efficient in terms of the fabric of the home compared to those on the second-hand market. Continuing to build on these gains and working towards zero-carbon homes is a natural next step as the industry continues to look for ways to innovate and improve our homes for customers and plan for the long term. 

This also provides further advantage over the second-hand home market in terms of customer appeal, by helping new home purchasers to future-proof their heating, enjoy even more energy efficiency gains and significantly reduce their carbon emissions. 

However, no individual business can achieve the pace of change required alone, so we must work together across the whole of our value chain to make our shared journey to a net zero future a reality. It is here that the work of the Future Homes Hub and its new implementation board will prove so vital in preparing the ground for the transition to Future Homes Standard, bringing together industry leaders, key stakeholders and relevant government bodies to anticipate, identify and monitor the key issues and actions required for successful implementation. 

The Future Homes Standard represents a significant and early milestone in England’s pathway to net zero, with substantial implications for how new homes are built. Successful implementation is therefore critical for the future residents, the homebuilding sector and Government. 

I’d like to close by thanking everyone who has helped to get the Future Homes Hub where it is today, and I very much look forward to engaging with members at all levels over the coming months as part of my new role as co-chair of the implementation board. 

Read our Future Homes Standard: Ready for Zero report.

*Opinium survey of 2,000 UK adults - December 2022 

 About Future Homes Standard Implementation Board 

The Hub is now setting up the Future Homes Standard Implementation board to enable the industry, Government and all relevant stakeholders to work together over the next three years on delivery of the Future Homes Standard – expected this month - at scale across the sector, supported by expert working groups. The Board will anticipate, identify and monitor the key issues and actions required to secure successful delivery of Future Homes Standard 2025.