A Look Ahead – What’s Next for Qualitymark Protection?
9th September 2026
If you’ve kept pace with our news, you’ll have seen that Qualitymark Protection recently celebrated a major milestone. This year marks 30 years of Qualitymark Protection, reflecting three decades of commitment to financial protection within the home improvement industry for consumers and installers alike.
But while we’ve spent some time over the last few weeks looking back, our 30th anniversary is another opportunity to look forward. The industry is changing – from government funding and legislation to new technologies and evolving expectations – and staying ahead of those changes is essential.
The biggest reason behind that is the UK’s 2050 Net Zero target. That’s so much closer than many assume, and getting there is a concentrated effort from all aspects of the energy market, from major corporations right down to end users. It’s that lofty goal that sparks the next steps in the journey, and where we find our main consideration for the future.
Our market is undergoing a major transformation, and grant-funded projects rub shoulders with conscientious homeowners who are looking to prepare for the future of energy. Both of those are pivotal moving forward, with Government programmes, like the Warm Homes Plan, paving the way for social housing to match the pace of the private sector, and more and more installers are investing in innovation to facilitate the growth.
Scott Day, Managing Director of Qualitymark Protection, is at the forefront of that, and his perspective is one of positivity and excitement for the future.
Wherever the next steps come from for changing the UK’s energy outlook, whether that’s self-funded works or the government’s much-needed grants, it’s a move in the right direction. Technology in the energy sector is at its peak, and it’s one of the most exciting times I’ve seen since I was appointed MD in 2024.
“We’re on the cusp of a massive boom in renewable energy, as well as wider innovations in tech that modernise insulation and home improvements. Whether it’s solar, air source heat pumps, or warmer homes for winter, insurance backed guarantees are absolutely crucial in protecting consumers and reassuring buyers.”
We see ourselves as a leader in the field. Regulated Insurance Backed Guarantees (IBGs) are an essential part of consumer protection and creating a more sustainable environment for customers and installers alike, and new grants, funding streams and government initiatives don’t change that.
We’re also looking to apply that same pioneering attitude to AI and behind-the-scenes tech, too. For our installers, that’ll mean faster turnarounds for those all-important IBGs, and a more intelligent approach to the essential checks we conduct as an FCA-regulated provider. Above all, though, it means a sleeker, smarter package that installers can see the difference in.
Operationally, that’s taking shape. Rachel Blundell, Qualitymark Protection’s Director of Operations, points towards a more streamlined approach to due diligence and processing going forward.
I view AI as a complementary tool, rather than a way to replace the experienced people we have. We’ve built a great team that I trust implicitly with managing the demands of being an FCA-approved business and delivering a clearly defined pathway for Installers to become accredited, remain compliant with Qualitymark Protection’s high standards and deliver consistently high levels of service to consumers.
“I’m involved in lots of conversations around AI and its use within processes at Qualitymark Protection, and while we’ve made progress, we are very much in a test-and-learn stage, but it’s definitely an exciting time to be in our sector. We’re driving efficiencies and streamlining the process to provide consumer protection to more people than ever before.
“What it won’t ever replace, however, is that human touch – we’re a people-led business, and no AI can replace the insights and sector experience my teams offer.”
We view ourselves as pioneers of our sector, trailblazers who see the IBG as a must-have rather than a nice-to-have, and however we opt to implement AI won’t change that.
Futureproofed, Flexible Protection – Today, Tomorrow, Always
While funding can be uncertain, and the introduction of AI brings with it more questions that are still to be answered, we’re built on firm foundations of consumer protection and installer support. Those will never change, and our next decade (and beyond) looks to replicate that. To echo our Managing Director Scott Day’s words as part of our 30th anniversary celebrations:
“Our role is to continue providing the protection and support that helps businesses grow while giving homeowners confidence in the decisions they make.”
That remains the crux of what we do, and more recent conversations with Scott hammer home the idea that we’re here to be unmoving in the face of a changing energy sector.
“We’re here to give homeowners the reassurance they deserve, and to offer extra support for our installers. Upgrading your home – whether it’s through a grant or your own money – isn’t a stress-free process, and choosing an installer matters. An IBG offers that peace of mind, even when everything might be uncertain.”
Times may change, but our commitments won’t. We strive for quality, for compliance, and for consumer protection in all we do, and whether it’s the Warm Homes Plan in 2027 or self-funded consumer investments in home improvements, we’ll stand by that goal.