Interface Simplifies Management of Matter Smart Homes

TR-517 enables service providers and application developers to scale new services designed to improve smart home experiences for customers. New services designed to enhance smart home experiences can now be developed and deployed faster following the launch of a new interface from the Broadband Forum. The ‘Matter Service API’ is described as the first standardised solution to give service providers a complete view of all Matter-powered devices on a smart home network, regardless of manufacturer. Instead of developing separate services to manage individual Matter ecosystems, broadband service providers and application developers can develop and launch a service once across compatible devices. "Industry efforts around Matter have successfully made smart home devices work together, but access to those devices is still frequently controlled through proprietary ecosystems," says Jason Walls, Connected User Work Area Co-Director at the Broadband Forum and Director of Technical Marketing at QA Cafe. "This means that customer experience services, such as diagnostics, automation services, energy management solutions and customer support tools can be deployed at scale to fix Matter-related smart home issues before customers even notice them," Walls continues. Matter is a universal connectivity standard designed to allow devices from different manufacturers, including Apple, Google, Amazon and Samsung, to communicate with each other across a smart home network. As the number and variety of devices using Matter increases, the need for a common service layer is also growing. Recent Matter releases have expanded support to include cameras, energy management devices, appliances, sensors, shading systems and other categories that increasingly form part of connected home environments. This broader reach also increases the potential relevance of Matter to electrical contractors working across smart home, energy management and building technology projects. "Many Matter-enabled smart home deployments remain tied to proprietary cloud platforms, mobile applications and vendor-specific integrations. As a result, service providers and third-party developers often face a fragmented landscape when attempting to build services that work across devices from different manufacturers," says Xavier Roubaud, Connected Home Product Line Director at Orange Innovation. "Thanks to the Matter Service API, gateways and smart home hubs can now become stable platforms for innovation, making it easier for service providers to launch new monetisable services." The MatterService Data Model for USP Enabled Devices (TR-517) combines the Broadband Forum’s User Services Platform (USP/TR-369) with the Matter protocol, establishing a consistent API and unified platform for managing the customer experience through broadband gateways, routers and smart home hubs. Because the model is automatically aligned with Matter’s evolving device definitions, the Broadband Forum says service providers gain a framework capable of adapting as new device types enter the ecosystem. For electrical contractors increasingly involved in connected homes, energy management and smart building infrastructure, developments such as TR-517 underline how Matter is moving beyond straightforward device interoperability. Creating a more consistent management layer could make larger and more sophisticated multi-manufacturer smart home deployments easier to support, potentially opening the door to more scalable services around energy, diagnostics and ongoing system management.

Fergus Data Reveals UK Trade Employment Splits Sharply By Region

New research from Fergus has revealed significant regional differences in employment, earnings and working conditions across the UK’s skilled trades, with electricians among the professions experiencing particularly sharp variations. The job management platform’s UK Tradespeople Hotspots Index compares 11 regions across seven trades: electricians, plumbers, carpenters, bricklayers, roofers, painters and decorators and construction and building trades supervisors. Using eight measures including pay, employment growth, working hours, housing affordability, living costs, self-employment and insurance costs, the research suggests that higher headline wages do not necessarily translate into better prospects for tradespeople. The North East emerges as the most consistently strong region across the seven trades, helped by comparatively affordable housing and good local earning power. At the other end of the table, London finishes last overall despite offering the highest wages for five of the seven trades studied. East Midlands Leads For Electricians For electricians, the East Midlands achieves the highest overall score of any trade-region combination in the research. Weekly pay stands at £836.20, while electrician employment has increased by 34.8% over three years. The North West follows closely, while Yorkshire and the Humber and London present a very different picture. Despite offering above-average pay, electrician employment has fallen by 31.4% in Yorkshire and the Humber and 49% in London. The figures underline the extent to which employment prospects for electrical professionals can vary depending on location, even where headline earnings remain attractive. Plumbing Opportunities Strong In Yorkshire Yorkshire and the Humber tops the rankings for plumbers, heating and ventilating installers, supported by 42% employment growth and relatively strong housing affordability. Scotland and the North West follow. London offers the highest weekly wage for the trade at £857.90 but drops to seventh place overall once housing and other living costs are considered. Construction supervisors experience an even more dramatic divide. The West Midlands leads the rankings, while London records the highest weekly wage at £975.30 but finishes last overall. Employment among construction and building trades supervisors in the capital has fallen 64.5% in three years – the steepest decline recorded for any trade-region combination in the study. Elsewhere, Yorkshire and the Humber leads for roofers, with employment increasing 68.8%, while Wales ranks first for painters and decorators. The North East tops the rankings for carpenters and joiners and the South East leads for bricklayers. The research also highlights considerable differences in working patterns. Self-employment ranges from 32.7% among carpenters in the East Midlands to 95.7% for painters and decorators in the East of England. Mark Bartels, CEO at Fergus, says: "There's a common assumption that the best opportunities for tradespeople are wherever the wages are highest, but our research shows that's not always the case. In many parts of the UK, tradespeople can earn slightly less on paper but end up with a better quality of life and stronger long-term prospects because housing is more affordable, costs are lower and demand remains strong. "For trade business owners, that's an important lesson. Success isn't just about chasing the biggest contracts or the largest cities – it's about understanding where demand is growing, where skilled workers can afford to live and where businesses can operate sustainably. "As the construction sector continues to evolve, we expect regional differences to play an even bigger role in shaping opportunities. The businesses that pay attention to those shifts will be best placed to attract talent, win work and grow in the years ahead." The UK Tradespeople Hotspots Index uses data from sources including ONS ASHE, the Annual Population Survey, UK House Price Index and Registers of Scotland and ONS Family Spending, alongside insurance quote data. Northern Ireland was excluded due to insufficient data coverage.

Selco launches competitive price matching and new loyalty programme

Selco Builders Warehouse has launched two major new initiatives: Sharp Prices and tradeREWARDS, following its largest-ever customer listening programme.  Over the past 12 months, Selco has worked closely with customers to better understand the challenges they face every day, trialling a series of solutions across the country to identify those that would deliver the greatest benefit to the tradespeople it serves.  The result is two initiatives developed in partnership with Selco’s customers and designed to make life simpler for the Trade by reducing complexity, increasing trust and delivering greater value, allowing them more time to focus on running and growing their businesses. Built on genuine customer insight, Sharp Prices and tradeREWARDS form part of Selco's new Sorted campaign, reinforcing the business's commitment to listening to the Trade and responding with tangible solutions that make a real difference. The research found that today's tradespeople are under increasing pressure, with limited time, rising costs and complicated buying journeys making it harder to stay focused on the job. Through Sorted, Selco aims to remove as many of these challenges as possible, giving customers confidence that Selco is with them for every job. Sharp Prices is a pricing strategy designed to reduce wasted time in the customer journey by monitoring prices daily across a range of Selco’s core products and best-selling lines. By providing transparent, competitive pricing that customers can trust across every channel, Sharp Prices removes the need to spend valuable time shopping around, comparing prices or negotiating. With prices reviewed and adjusted daily to ensure they stay sharp, and backed up by Selco’s nationwide store network, strong product availability and knowledgeable colleagues. The initiative gives customers confidence they're getting the right products at the right prices, so they can get in, get what they need, and get back to the job.  Complementing Sharp Prices is a brand-new loyalty programme designed to reward tradespeople and their businesses. Created to give more back to customers every time they shop, tradeREWARDS is built around a straightforward premise: the more you shop, the more you save.  With three tiers – Bronze, Silver and Gold  – customers earn discounts on their purchases when they maintain a minimum monthly spend. The Bronze tier gives customers access to the special offers available with a Selco Trade Card, including Real Deals and Mega Deals.  Customers who spend an average of £300 inc VAT in a calendar month will move up to the Silver tier and unlock 6% off all purchases, while those who spend an average of £1,500 inc VAT per month will enter the Gold tier and unlock 10% off all purchases. This system ensures that the business’ most loyal customers receive even greater value for choosing Selco. "Listening and responding to our customers has been at the centre of these two initiatives,” says David Lennon, Commercial Director at Selco Builders Warehouse. “We’ve undertaken the biggest customer listening programme in Selco’s history to better understand the frustrations tradespeople face every day and the role we can play in helping them overcome them.  “What we heard was clear: consumer confidence remains low, inflationary pressures continue to affect businesses, and every minute spent away from the tools matters. Tradespeople told us that they want greater consistency, more transparency and less complexity when buying the products they need.  We’ve worked alongside our customers to test and refine solutions that genuinely make a difference, supporting a key part of our economy in the local communities we serve. Sharp Prices removes the guesswork from pricing by checking our prices every day against the best visible prices in the market, while tradeREWARDS recognises customers for their loyalty and gives them a simple, accessible way to create more value for their businesses every time they shop. “Together, these two initiatives form part of our new Sorted proposition, which is all about making life easier for the Trade. Whether customers are visiting a store, ordering online or using the app, it’s all about keeping things simple: great value, what they need, when they need it and less time hanging around so they can get on with the job.” 

RAW Charging launches 28-bay EV charging hub in Southeast London

RAW Charging has expanded its EV charging network in the capital with the opening of a new 28-bay charging hub at Charlton Riverside in Southeast London. The new site, located at SE7 7ST, combines 12 50kW DC rapid charging bays with 16 22kW AC fast charging bays, providing options for drivers making both shorter stops and longer visits. Positioned close to London City Airport and a range of retail and leisure destinations, including Sainsbury’s, M&S, Boots, Decathlon and PureGym, the hub is designed to serve shoppers, gym users, commuters and local residents. The opening forms part of RAW Charging’s continuing expansion across East and Southeast London. The company has already opened ultra-rapid hubs at Eastern Avenue Retail Park, Gallions Reach Shopping Park, Merrielands Retail Park and Forest Hill, with these locations collectively providing more than 65 charging bays. The latest installation also supports the wider expansion of charging infrastructure required as the UK continues its transition towards electric vehicles. With EV and hybrid adoption increasing, RAW says convenient charging at retail, leisure and other frequently visited destinations can help make lower-emission transport more practical for drivers. RAW Charging works with property owners and investors including Landsec, Aberdeen and Aviva Investors to install charging infrastructure at retail and leisure destinations. Its turnkey approach is designed to help landlords utilise available land while supporting sustainability and ESG objectives. The company was also recently recognised with the Zapmap Best Destination Network Award 2026 and ICC Gold accreditation. Jason Simpson, CEO of RAW Charging, comments, “We are pleased to open our latest EV charging hub at Charlton Riverside, adding important charging capacity in a well-connected part of southeast London. With 28 new bays, the site gives drivers convenient access to reliable charging while supporting the continued shift towards lower-emission transport.” The Charlton Riverside opening follows RAW Charging’s recent launch of a 32-bay EV charging hub at Xscape Milton Keynes, highlighting the continued growth of large-scale destination charging infrastructure across the UK.

Aubrey Allen expands to third phase of rooftop solar investment

Premium food supplier Aubrey Allen has expanded its on-site solar for a third time after the success of its existing rooftop solar installations, reinforcing its long-term commitment to sustainability, reducing energy costs and improving operational resilience. Aubrey Allen first partnered with Ineco Energy to reduce the significant energy demands of its factory, where refrigeration systems operate around the clock, while supporting the company's wider sustainability ambitions.  The initial phases of the rooftop solar project have delivered significant financial and environmental benefits, generating a projected lifetime solar value of more than £166,700 to date while reducing reliance on grid electricity and lowering carbon emissions. Having seen the proven performance of the existing system, Aubrey Allen has continued to invest in expanding its rooftop solar capacity, with phase three representing the latest step in its long-term energy strategy. Following completion of Phase Three, the site will have a combined installed capacity of 431.1 kWp, comprising 944 solar panels and generating an estimated 377,236 kWh of renewable electricity annually. The expanded system will continue to support the company's long-term energy strategy, reducing operating costs, strengthening energy resilience and helping to lower carbon emissions for years to come. Russell Allen, Managing Director at Aubrey Allen, says, “Our commitment to sustainability is about more than reducing our own environmental impact. We believe it is our responsibility, as a business and as part of the wider food industry, to lead by example and continually raise the standard.  “By investing in meaningful, long-term improvements, we aim not only to reduce our carbon footprint but to inspire positive change across our sector. Sustainability is embedded in the way we think, operate and plan for the future, ensuring we create lasting value for our customers, our communities and the environment.”  The phased approach has enabled Aubrey Allen to build its renewable energy capacity over time, maximising available roof space while continuing to invest as the business has seen the benefits of each installation. Angus Rose, Director at Ineco Energy, adds, "The greatest endorsement of any renewable energy project is when a client chooses to invest again. Phase Three is a reflection of the confidence Aubrey Allen has in the performance of its existing solar installations and the value they continue to deliver. Rather than viewing solar as a one-off project, Aubrey Allen has taken a strategic approach, expanding its generation capacity over time as the benefits have become increasingly evident." The installation was delivered while maintaining normal operations, ensuring minimal disruption to the site's day-to-day activities.

Humax and Paua Simplify EV Charging for Fleets

Humax EV Charging has partnered with Paua to help UK fleets simplify electric vehicle charging by bringing home, workplace, public and depot charging together within a single connected platform. The partnership combines the Humax MX7 Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G)-ready smart charger with Paua’s fleet charging platform, with a particular focus on simplifying home charging reimbursement for electric fleets. Using ISO 15118 technology, the Humax MX7 automatically identifies compatible company vehicles when they are plugged in at home. This enables Paua to capture charging data and reimburse drivers based on actual energy usage, removing the need for manual submissions, mileage estimates or complex expense claims. The companies say the collaboration also addresses the wider challenge of managing fleet charging and reimbursement across multiple locations. Organisations can currently find themselves using separate charging providers, reimbursement tools and reporting systems, making it difficult to gain a complete picture of charging activity. By bringing charging data, reimbursement and reporting together, the combined solution is designed to help fleet operators automate home charging reimbursement, distinguish company vehicle charging from personal household EV charging and manage charging across home, workplace, public and shared depot locations. Fleet managers can also gain centralised visibility of charging activity, costs and reporting while reducing the administrative workload associated with operating an electric fleet. The partnership is also intended to provide a foundation for wider intelligent fleet charging. Later this year, Humax plans to expand its commercial charging portfolio with a new 22kW AC charger for workplace and depot environments. The charger will use the same intelligent vehicle identification technology, allowing charging sessions to be automatically linked to individual vehicles across different charging locations. Jeff Kim, President of Humax, commented, “As more businesses electrify their fleets, we're seeing a growing shift towards drivers charging their vehicles at home. It’s more convenient for drivers, reduces downtime and makes day-to-day fleet operations more efficient. However, it also creates new challenges around accurately identifying company vehicles and reimbursing drivers for the electricity they use. “Our partnership with Paua addresses those challenges by combining the Humax MX7's intelligent vehicle identification technology with Paua’s fleet charging platform. Together, we're making home charging reimbursement simpler, more accurate and fully automated, while giving fleet operators greater confidence and visibility into charging activity across their fleets.” Niall Riddell, CEO and Co-Founder of Paua, added, “Electric fleet charging cannot be solved one location at a time. Drivers charge at home, at work, on the public network and increasingly at shared depots. Fleets need those environments connected, not four separate systems held together by spreadsheets. “Paua was built specifically to provide that connection. By integrating Humax's intelligent charger technology, we can provide businesses with greater confidence that the right charging activity is being attributed to the right vehicle, while giving fleet managers a complete view of charging across every location.”

How electricians and HVAC engineers are building £2 million businesses without a degree

As hundreds of thousands of students receive their A-level (13 August) and GCSE (20 August) results and consider their next steps, new Tradify research suggests some of Britain's most successful entrepreneurs are taking a very different route – building trade businesses that generate up to £2 million in annual revenue. Drawing on data from 3,271 UK trade businesses, analysis by Tradify, the UK’s leading job management software for tradespeople, reveals that tradespeople are successfully scaling from sole traders into sizeable companies employing teams and generating multi-million-pound revenues.  Overall, average revenue across the six major trades analysed has increased 14% year-on-year, challenging the long-held belief that university is the only route to financial success. The findings come as graduate recruitment has softened, tuition fees remain close to £10,000 a year and AI continues to reshape many traditional office careers. At the same time, the UK faces a critical shortage of skilled tradespeople, with industry forecasts suggesting a shortfall of almost one million workers by 2032.   Against that backdrop, the skilled trades are emerging as one of Britain's clearest routes to entrepreneurship, with practical skills that remain difficult to automate.  Tradify's latest figures show HVAC & Refrigeration businesses generated the highest average annual revenue this year at £428,538, while Carpentry & Renovations recorded the strongest year-on-year growth. Among larger businesses employing 13 or more staff, average annual revenue exceeded £2 million in both Electrical & AV (£2.09m) and Property Maintenance (£2.02m), while Plumbing & Gas businesses approached the same milestone (£1.99m). Meanwhile, sole traders generated more than £100,000 annually across every trade analysed, with HVAC & Refrigeration sole traders averaging £184,566. As industry demand continues to outstrip supply, skilled tradespeople are becoming increasingly valuable – creating strong opportunities for those entering the industry today.  For students considering a career in the trades, Carpentry & Renovations recorded the strongest year-on-year revenue growth of 25%. Electrical & AV also delivered strong growth (+19%), while Landscaping & Lawns (+18%) and HVAC & Refrigeration(+17%) continued to perform strongly.  Although HVAC & Refrigeration remains the highest-earning trade overall, with average annual revenue of £428,538, the year-on-year figures suggest there are growth opportunities across a range of skilled trades. Millie Mercedes from Millie Electrician London comments, "Learning a trade gave me skills that no one can take away, and over time those skills became a successful business. People often think the trades are just about working with your hands, but today you're running a business. You're managing customers, using management software, growing a team and building something that can provide a great living. "If I was collecting my exam results today, I'd want young people to know there isn't only one route to success. University is a brilliant option for many, but learning a trade can open doors you might never have expected."  Tradify found the most successful trade businesses combine practical skills with digital technology, using job management software to reduce admin, accelerate payments and convert around 85% of enquiries into paid work. Commenting on the findings, Michael Steckler, CEO, Tradify, adds, “For a long time, university has been seen as the traditional route to a successful career. But it’s far from the only option. Our data shows tradespeople across the UK building multi-million-pound businesses, creating jobs, and growing successful companies from the ground up. The trades shouldn't be seen as an alternative to academic success, but as another route to achieving real financial success – one that can lead not only to skilled employment, but to business ownership and long-term growth.”

86% of electrical professionals have experienced ‘electrical incident’ at work

Martindale Electric has published new research showing the true scale of electrical incidents experienced by professionals working with electricity every day. An ‘electrical incident’ or ‘near miss’ includes minor electric shocks, arc events and unexpected energisation. The findings, based on a survey sent to tens of thousands of electrical contracting professionals, were gathered to better understand real-world experiences of electrical safety, electrical incidents and incident reporting across the industry. Among the key findings, Martindale Electric found that 86% of electrical professionals have personally experienced at least one electrical incident while working, while 78% have experienced a ‘near miss’. Meanwhile, 64% have witnessed an electrical incident involving another electrician on the job. More than half of electrical professionals stated that the most recent incident or near miss they experienced or witnessed was not formally reported. Although 86% say they are very familiar with safe isolation procedures, only 55% always follow them in full before starting work. Among those who had not fully followed the safe isolation procedure before starting work, the most common reason given was ‘confidence the circuit was dead’ (46%), followed by ‘time pressure’ (25%). This gap between knowing the procedure and following it every time is where accidents happen. Martindale Electric developed ALIVE, a memorable five-step framework designed to make safe isolation second nature for anyone working on or near electrical systems: A is for approved kit (equipment must meet legal safety standards). L is for lockout ( point of isolation should be identified, locked out and tagged). I is for initial prove (voltage indicator should be tested against a proving unit). V is for voltage test (electricians must confirm there is no dangerous voltage in the circuit). E is for ensure (the voltage indicator must be re-tested against the proving unit before starting work). “These figures show that electrical incidents and near misses are still far too common on site and that too many go unreported,” says Steve Dunning, Managing Director of Martindale Electric. “It is positive to see that almost every respondent to our research recognises the Safe Isolation Procedure, but recognising it and following it fully every single time are clearly two different things. We really want to encourage everyone working around electricity to maintain their awareness of electrical safety procedures and use the resources available to keep their knowledge up to date on the latest safety practices and guidance. “Our ALIVE acronym is a simple, five-step routine that takes the guesswork out of staying safe and we’d encourage every electrical professional to make following it second nature, every single time.” The Martindale Electrical Safety in the Workplace Survey 2026 was conducted between June and July 2026 to gather original insight from professionals who work with or around electricity. More than 100,000 electrical professionals were invited to participate in the survey. For more detailed information relating to this survey, click here.

RAW Charging Opens 32-Bay EV Charging Hub at Xscape Milton Keynes

RAW Charging has opened a new 32-bay EV charging hub at Xscape Milton Keynes, described as the largest EV charging installation in the region. The new ultra-rapid charging hub is now available to visitors and has been designed to support the growing number of EV drivers using the leisure and retail destination. The installation includes eight rapid bays and eight ultra-rapid chargers, providing options for both longer stays and quicker visits. Xscape Milton Keynes attracts millions of visitors each year with attractions including Cineworld, Volcano Falls, iFLY and Snozone, alongside a range of retail and dining facilities. RAW Charging says the new infrastructure will allow drivers to recharge while making use of the destination. The chargers support contactless payment and major EV charging apps. To mark the launch, drivers can also take advantage of free charging at the hub between August 11–13, 2026, by signing up to RAW Rewards. The installation forms part of a £24.5 million programme between RAW Charging and property company Landsec to deliver more than 1,000 new EV charging bays across 28 UK retail and leisure destinations. More than 150 bays have been delivered so far, with further sites scheduled to launch during 2026. Neil Broadbank, CCO at RAW Charging, says: "We are exceptionally proud to launch one of our largest charging hubs to date at Xscape Milton Keynes, in partnership with Landsec. "This is a destination where people come to experience something special and our mission is to ensure that EV charging is just as memorable, seamless, reliable and future-proof. By connecting EV drivers to amazing places like Xscape, we're not only supporting the UK's transition to electric vehicles but also enhancing the experience at every touchpoint." Dan Murphy, Centre Director at Xscape Milton Keynes, adds: "We're delighted to be working with RAW to install 32 brand new electric vehicle charging bays at Xscape Milton Keynes. "Our goal is to make it easy for visitors to enjoy all that we have to offer, with the peace of mind that their electric vehicles can be charged safely and conveniently while they shop, dine or take part in the array of leisure activities here at Xscape." RAW Charging was recently recognised with the Zapmap Best Destination Network Award for 2026 and has also achieved ICC Gold accreditation. The company is continuing to invest in charging infrastructure at retail, leisure and hospitality destinations as demand for convenient EV charging facilities grows across the UK.

Knightsbridge Unveils Complete Downlighter Family

Knightsbridge has introduced a comprehensive fire-rated downlighter portfolio, with RenuLED, CyroLED and SpektroLED EVO designed to address different project, performance and budget requirements across residential and commercial installations. At the top of the range, SpektroLED EVO offers what Knightsbridge describes as a ‘108-downlights-in-one’ solution. It combines selectable 5W/7W outputs with four CCT options – 2700K, 3000K, 4000K and 6000K – and multiple bezel finishes. This flexibility is designed to reduce the number of individual products installers need to specify and the stockholding requirements for distributors. Available in fixed, tilt and smart variants, SpektroLED EVO includes a 90° tilt option for directional lighting. The range is IP65 rated, fire-rated and IC compatible, while smart versions integrate with the Smart Life app for remote control of colour temperature, brightness and on/off functions. Installation features include first and second fix connectors with loop-in/loop-out capability and magnetic bezels for rapid customisation. SpektroLED EVO has a stated lifespan of 50,000 hours. Sitting below SpektroLED EVO, CyroLED provides fixed, tilt and anti-glare options. Quad-CCT selection – 3000K, 4000K, 5000K and 6500K – combines with selectable 4W/6W output to give installers flexibility over lighting appearance and performance. All CyroLED models are IP65, fire-rated, IC rated and acoustic rated. Twist-and-lock interchangeable bezels are available in several finishes, while a remote driver provides accessible wattage and CCT switching. Knightsbridge quotes efficiency of 120 to 130 lm/W and provides a five-year warranty. RenuLED completes the family as the entry-level option for everyday domestic installations. Available in fixed and tilt versions, it features TRI-CCT technology, with fixed models carrying an IP65 rating. The tilt version provides a 20° adjustment for directional lighting. Push-fit loop-in/loop-out terminals are designed to simplify installation, while interchangeable clip-on bezels are offered in five finishes. RenuLED is fire-rated for up to 90 minutes and carries a three-year warranty. Together, the three ranges give electrical contractors a choice of downlighter solutions spanning cost-conscious residential work through to more flexible and feature-rich commercial and residential lighting schemes.