Financial Protection for home improvements, repairs, maintenance or energy efficiencies in or around the home

gazza — Fri, 17 Jan 2020 13:34:06 +0000

Financial Protection for home improvements, repairs, maintenance or energy efficiencies in or around the home gazza Fri, 17/01/2020

A new Financial Protection Panel of independent experts and industry representatives has been formed by TrustMark, the Government Endorsed Quality scheme, to assess the financial protection available to consumers looking to undertake any home improvements, repairs, maintenance or energy efficiencies in or around the home.

The panel aims to provide reassurance to consumers that if they employ a TrustMark Registered Business they will have the correct financial protection mechanisms in place, such as insurance backed guarantees and warranties, that will protect prepayments, deposits, post completion workmanship, rectification of defects or major damage and non-compliance with Building Regulations as a minimum.

Chaired by TrustMark’s Non-Executive Finance Protection Director, Lynn Hugo, the Finance Protection Panel is a working group that consists of two layers – the ‘Finance Protection Oversight Panel’ and the ‘Industry Assessment Panel’. Together their collaboration will bring together a wealth of knowledge, proficiency and views to ensure that the financial protection stage of the consumer journey is safer and there are no gaps in the provision of consumer protection.

The Finance Protection Oversight Panel is made up of well-respected senior industry experts in regulation, insurance, finance, consumer protection and legal and they will appraise and validate the different financial protection policies from the TrustMark Scheme Providers to ensure they are providing fair terms without consumer detriment and abide by the Consumer Rights Act 2015. Supporting this panel will be the Industry Assessment Panel, which is a representation of TrustMark Scheme Providers, and they will review and focus on each of the financial provider policies to ensure they are all offering a robust and impartial method of financial protection for use within their schemes.

Lynn Hugo, says: “The Financial Protection Panel is a collaborative approach from the industry to provide the consumer with optimal protection for any work they choose to have carried out by a TrustMark Registered Business. We will only accept financial protection schemes that have been through rigorous approval and meet the TrustMark Framework Requirements and appropriate standard of financial protection. We have a fantastic team who are committed to enhancing consumer protection, and by working together, we can ensure that the consumer journey is as safe and secure as possible. Consumer protection is at the heart of TrustMark’s vision and service delivery, so this is one important step to achieving this.”

A register of verified financial protection schemes will be published by TrustMark and be publicly available for both consumers and businesses on the TrustMark website under ‘Services’ heading. All works carried out in and around the home will have financial protection as required by the Framework Operating Requirements including all energy efficiency improvements, and have a duration cover of a minimum of two years, with the exception of certain energy efficient measures that will require a minimum of 25 years.

The Financial Protection Panel is one of three councils being developed to support the TrustMark Board with the strategic direction of the organisation, as well as providing strong collaborations and developments to serve the industry and consumer.

For further information about TrustMark and the services it offers, visit www.trustmark.org.uk.

trustmark financial protection

Lynn Hugo

TrustMark Registered Electrician

trustmark

TrustMark's new Board of industry experts

gazza — Wed, 14 Nov 2018 19:18:28 +0000

TrustMark's new Board of industry experts

gazza Wed, 14/11/2018

A new independent Board of industry experts has been appointed to TrustMark, the Government Endorsed Quality Scheme for tradespeople, to further enhance the levels of consumer protection, whilst achieving better business for reputable tradespeople. The Board, which comprises of a new Chairman and seven non-executive directors, ensures adequate representation of all the industry sectors TrustMark works with, coupled with experts from a wide range of industries, to provide a fresh knowledge and insight to the running of TrustMark.

A number of councils are being developed, including a Consumer Protection Council, in order to support the Board with the strategic direction of the organisation, as well as providing strong collaborations and developments to serve the industry and consumer.

The change of Board has taken place to help facilitate a number of significant developments at TrustMark following the industry led, Government commissioned Each Home Counts Review. This review led directly to the expansion of TrustMark’s scope in order to become the new all-encompassing mark of quality, that consumers can recognise and trust when selecting a tradesperson to carry out any type of work in or around their homes.

The new Board includes:

Chairman - Ranil Jayawardena
Ranil has a background in financial services at the UK’s largest mortgage lender, as well as being heavily engaged in exploring the complexities and implications of ‘Brexit' in his role as a Member of Parliament and on the House of Commons International Trade Committee. Ranil’s strategic leadership will be invaluable in his role as TrustMark Chairman, and galvanised by the experiences from local government, HM Courts and Tribunal Service, and a housing association, he will be well placed to support the organisation through the challenges ahead.

Non-executive Directors

Julie Hunter
Julie has worked exclusively in the field of consumer advocacy, policy and protection for almost 20 years. She has developed an enviable network and reputation in this field and has considerable experience of media engagement and will assist TrustMark with new initiatives and aims.

Emma Clancy
Emma is a well-known and respected voice within the construction sector with considerable senior level experience in other industries including consumer protection and financial services. This, along with her role on several significant committees, will make Emma a highly valued technical as well as strategic voice within the Board.

Anna Scothern
Anna is a long-standing leader within the built environment and housing sector with a focus on improvements to all aspects of energy and health in the home. She is keen to contribute to TrustMark as an evolving organisation, utilising cross industry and consumer champion expertise, alongside a talent for future thinking and scenario forecasting in order to help achieve TrustMark’s corporate vision.

David Oakley

David has an enviable track-record in senior roles at global corporations such as Twinings, Coca-Cola and KPMG, and is a passionate, entrepreneurial leader. His strategic leadership expertise will be invaluable, as will his ability to manage stakeholder engagement.

Lynn Hugo
Lynn has a broad background at senior level encompassing FTSE 100 and Global plc organisations, but also not for profit, public sector and enterprise start-ups. This range gives her considerable insight into the diversity that comprises TrustMark’s stakeholders. Lynn’s values, combined with experience in human resources, law, business transformation, organisational development and design, culture change and improved ways of working will make a significant contribution to TrustMark.

Richard Saggers

Richard brings an understanding of how to create customer proximity in order to drive new revenue opportunities, due to his experience in senior roles at international telecommunication businesses, as well as the establishment of a trade association. He has an excellent track record of innovation, operational leadership and value creation both in the UK and internationally and will help shape the organisation going forward.

Stephen Huller

Stephen has over 20 years’ experience in a variety of senior financial roles and a special interest in helping consumers save money and reduce carbon emissions through access to appropriate energy efficiency measures. He will assist and guide TrustMark in the implementation of a robust and fair finance and insurance structure that will protect consumers making such improvements to their homes.

Simon Ayers, CEO of TrustMark and executive director on the Board, says:

“TrustMark is at an important stage as an organisation where it has a genuine opportunity to create far-reaching, positive change and significantly enhance the levels of protection consumers can rely on. The directional support and input of this new Board will be invaluable and we look forward to working together to deliver the best outcomes possible for both consumers and the trades within our scheme."

Simon Ayers is the only executive director on the Board and has been TrustMark’s Chief Executive Officer for over four years. Prior to TrustMark, Simon’s career included many leadership roles within the energy and consumer protection sectors.

For further information about TrustMark, visit www.trustmark.org.uk

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