From National Recognition to Proactive Protection: The Story Behind PH247’s Next Chapter

Written by Louchavan Lemard, Company Director, PH247

Winning the National Plumber Award at InstallerSHOW 2026 was one of the proudest moments of my career. To be recognised by my peers at a national level is an honour that I will never take for granted. However, for me, this award was never the destination. It was the beginning of a much bigger mission.

When people see the award, they often see the success. What they do not see is the journey that made it possible. You can read the story of the win itself in our earlier article, PH247 Louchavan UK Best Plumber Award 2026 Winner, and the wider industry coverage on PHAM News and PHPI Online.

Why PH247 Exists

When I was ten years old, my family became homeless after being affected by the actions of a rogue plumber. That experience shaped the rest of my life. It taught me that poor workmanship is not simply an inconvenience. It can have devastating consequences for families, homes and people’s financial security.

Growing up, I was surrounded by deprivation, gangs, drugs and violence. I lost a close friend to knife crime and witnessed another young person from my local community become the victim of gun crime at just thirteen years old. I knew from an early age that if my life was going to be different, I had to find another path.

I also left school without a single GCSE and was told on my final day that I would never amount to anything. Thankfully, one person looked beyond my qualifications and gave me an opportunity within the plumbing industry. That opportunity changed everything.

Today, I have the privilege of leading PH247, serving as a Trustee of the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE), co-chairing the City & Guilds Employer Industry Board for Building Services Engineering, helping shape the future apprenticeship standards for our industry, and being recognised as the National Plumber Award winner.

Everything I have achieved started because somebody believed in me. That is why I have made it my life’s purpose to protect consumers, raise standards and create meaningful opportunities for the next generation.

The Evolution of PH247

PH247 began like many plumbing and heating businesses by responding to breakdowns, leaks and emergency call-outs. Over the years, one thing became clear. Too many of the problems we were attending could have been prevented.

Poor design, incorrect installation, inadequate commissioning, lack of maintenance and the absence of independent verification were costing building owners thousands of pounds while reducing the performance and lifespan of valuable assets. We realised that simply repairing failures was no longer enough. Our industry needed to become more proactive. That is why PH247 has evolved into an independent business focused on protecting buildings through evidence-based assessment.

Introducing Independent Plumbing, Heating & Mechanical Risk Protection

Our proactive model helps developers, housing providers, landlords, build-to-rent operators, managing agents, local authorities and commercial property owners protect their assets before problems occur. Through independent assessments we identify installation defects, operational risks, performance issues and maintenance concerns before they develop into expensive failures.

Our mission is simple: Protect Assets. Reduce Risk. Build Confidence. Because prevention will always be better than cure. You can see the full range of what we do on our plumbing and heating services page.

Turning Recognition into Opportunity

Powered Now generously donated a £1,000 holiday voucher as part of the National Plumber Award. Rather than keeping the prize, I donated it to the Euston Skills Centre in Camden to fund an opportunity for a disadvantaged young adult to experience WorldSkills Shanghai 2026.

CT1 immediately matched the donation with a further £1,000. Dr Henry Hung donated another £1,000. Richard Soper pledged £500, and several leading manufacturers committed to providing professional starter toolkits and branded workwear. What started as one donated prize has become a growing industry movement built around opportunity and collaboration. Our thanks also go to award sponsors including Kingsbridge and Polypipe Building Products — you can watch a short clip from the awards here.

The scale of that opportunity was brought home at the World Plumbing Conference 2026 Gala Dinner, where our industry came together with plumbing teams from around the world — a reminder that raising standards is a global effort.

Creating a Bridge into Employment

Together with the Euston Skills Centre, we are developing a structured work experience programme that creates a genuine pathway into apprenticeships and long-term employment. Students will gain workplace experience, mentoring and a professional portfolio while employers help shape the next generation of skilled professionals.

Looking Ahead

Winning the National Plumber Award is an achievement that I will always treasure. However, I believe the real measure of success is not the awards we receive but the difference we make. You can hear more of the story on the podcast episode about the win, and follow the official Plumber Awards for future recognition in the sector.

Work With PH247

Whether you are a developer, housing provider, local authority, managing agent, commercial property owner or manufacturer, we would welcome the opportunity to work with you. Our Independent Plumbing, Heating & Mechanical Risk Protection Assessments help protect assets, reduce risk, improve operational performance and support better long-term investment decisions.

One opportunity changed my life. Today, PH247 exists to help protect buildings, improve our industry and create opportunities that change the lives of others. Get in touch with PH247 to start a conversation.