Decarbonising homes isn’t just about technology – it’s about people, places, and the connections we make along the way. Over the past six months, I’ve had the privilege of stepping into a part-time secondment with Energy Systems Catapult, alongside my role in the Net Zero Heat team at Innovate UK.
It’s been a chance to see the world from a different angle – to explore how innovation can be not just smart, but fair, inclusive and rooted in real lives.
One of the highlights of my secondment was working with Francesca Davey, an Energy Analyst at the Catapult. Together, we tackled the complex world of funding for social housing retrofit – a landscape that can often feel like a maze of overlapping schemes, from the Warm Homes Social Housing Fund and ECO4 to the Great British Insulation Scheme and devolved initiatives.
Our report pulled apart some of the key challenges: grant incompatibility, stretched local authority capacity and the ever-important issue of tenant engagement. But we didn’t stop there – we also spotlighted good practice, innovative models, and the power of place-based, people-first approaches.
We wanted this to be more than just words on a page. So, we hosted a workshop where colleagues riffed on the idea of “the Catapult could…”. The session was buzzing – creative, lively, and full of energy – and the ideas fed directly into the Catapult’s refreshed commercial strategy. The report itself will become an external publication and companion blog, helping share insights with social housing providers, local authorities, innovators and community groups.
Alongside the report, I often found myself acting as a bridge – linking colleagues to contacts, conversations and opportunities that could move things forward. Some of my favourite moments included advising on UK Research and Innovation application processes, facilitating new collaborations with Innovate UK Business Growth, chairing discussions on Research & Technology Organisation grant schemes and introducing networks such as the Healthy Homes Hub.
These weren’t just nice-to-haves – they helped unblock projects, spark partnerships and strengthen the Catapult’s place in the wider innovation ecosystem. For me, this was a reminder that reports and research are vital – but it’s in the conversations, the connections, and the testing of ideas in real-world contexts where change really happens.
Of course, no secondment is just about the work. Joining a new organisation – even for two days a week – can feel daunting. But from my very first day at Catapult HQ, I was welcomed in. My manager, Becky Sweeney, encouraged me to be curious, ask questions and make the most of experiencing two organisations at once.
The culture stood out straight away. There were open Town Halls with Chief Executive Guy Newey where questions ranged from how parts of strategy fit together for innovator impact to more emotional human topics like “have you ever cried at work?”. There were also new-starter lunches with the exec team, and a Homes team Teams channel that mixed collaboration with genuine care.
Becky’s leadership set the tone: balancing professional drive with kindness. As Innovate UK’s Tom Adeyoola often says: culture eats strategy for breakfast. At the Catapult, it’s clear that both are thriving.
Reflecting on my time with the team, Becky shared: “When I heard Hannah might be interested in a secondment with the Homes team, I jumped at the chance. Having already worked with her through the usual Innovate UK Catapult channels, I knew her passion for putting people at the heart of the knotty questions of home decarbonisation would bring something special.
“We’ve really learned a lot from each other, and I’m proud the team could play a big part in Hannah’s journey, just as her insights and fresh perspective shaped ours.”
This secondment has been a chance to combine analysis with action, and strategy with culture. Working with Francesca was a highlight – blending her sharp analytical insight with my focus on practical collaboration.
I leave with a real sense that we’ve planted seeds that will grow into projects delivering healthier homes, fairer futures and innovation that truly includes everyone.
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