MP tours Ideal Heating’s UK Technology Centre as showpiece R&D facility prepares to open

October 29, 2025

Ideal Heating has given Hull MP Dame Diana Johnson a tour of its flagship UK Technology Centre, as development of the facility enters its final stages.

The UKTC is a purpose-built centre, at Ideal’s headquarters site in National Avenue, Hull, focused on pioneering low carbon heating technologies. The £19.2m facility is an integral part of Ideal’s pivot towards heating solutions which will help to decarbonise UK homes and business premises.

It will house more than 100 Ideal specialists, in roles ranging from R&D and product management, to design engineering and software development.

Ahead of the completion of the building’s fit out, Ideal invited Hull North and Cottingham MP Dame Diana Johnson for a tour of the showpiece facility in her constituency. Dame Diana was shown state-of-the-art facilities, including climatic chambers, where heat pumps are tested in a range of temperatures and conditions, and anechoic chambers, designed to monitor acoustic levels.

Hull North and Cottingham MP Dame Diana Johnson, centre, with Ideal Heating’s Chief Operations Officer Jason Speedy and Engineering Director Helen Villamuera

Dame Diana, who is also Minister of State in the Department for Work and Pensions, said:

“It’s fantastic to see such a significant investment being made right here in Hull. The UKTC is an impressive facility which reflects Ideal’s leading role in the heating industry.

“Ideal is one of Hull’s great business success stories, with a long and proud history of innovation and employment in the city. This R&D centre will not only safeguard jobs in Hull, it will create new opportunities and skills well into the future, and support the transition to clean energy.”

The UKTC is a major statement of intent from Ideal, as the UK boiler market leader invests significantly in heat pumps and other low carbon technologies. It forms part of a £60m investment programme, spanning manufacturing, engineering, logistics, R&D and training.

idealheating.com