National Renewable Certification Scheme relocates

11th February 2019

A NATIONAL certification scheme is set to relocate from London to a new headquarters at The Innovation Centre at Sci-Tech Daresbury in Liverpool City Region.

MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) is a nationally recognised quality assurance scheme, supported by the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS). It certifies the microgeneration technologies used to produce electricity and heat from renewable sources.

The move will see MCS’ recently appointed Chief Executive, Ian Rippin, and his team working from the campus to fulfil the scheme’s vision of embedding national reach and securing long term success. Ian brings a wealth of experience of leading and transforming technical and professional service organisations with an impressive track record of leadership in the certification sector.

MCS, which was originally founded in 2007, became fully independent of government through novation in April 2018. It aims to strengthen compliance and enforcement of renewable installations and to build consumer confidence in microgeneration technology while enabling industry to thrive.

Ian Rippin has said, “Our move to new headquarters represents the start of the next chapter for MCS. It is a key stage in our evolution as we realise aspirations to build a successful, standalone company with a strong consumer focus to help shape the future landscape of the UK’s small-scale renewable electricity and heat products market.”

“It comes at a time when we are seeing record levels of the UK’s electricity generated from renewable sources. The Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy reported that almost a third of electricity was generated by renewables in 2018.”

John Downes, group Chief Executive of Langtree and chair of the Sci-Tech Daresbury joint venture company, said: “We are very pleased to welcome MCS to Sci-Tech Daresbury. Every business that arrives on the campus finds that we are committed to ensuring our eco-system is underpinned by collaboration, co-development and business support which will bring great benefit to MCS.

“Furthermore, the North West is one of the UK’s key locations for delivering the Government’s green, clean renewable energy challenge and I am confident MCS will fulfil their growth ambitions here.”

MCS will be relocating a Helpdesk function alongside several other operational roles.