Rippin to step down as CEO of the MCS
7th July 2026
UK: Ian Rippin is to step down as CEO of the MCS, after more than eight years at the UK’s quality mark for small-scale renewable energy systems like heat pumps.
Current chief operating officer, Lisa Cooke, has been appointed as managing director.
Rippin was MCS’ first chief executive, appointed following its separation from the government in 2018. Under Ian’s leadership, annual certified installations have increased by more than 500%, with nearly 6,000 MCS certified businesses now delivering quality installations across the UK.
Lisa Cooke was appointed COO in February last year, after joining the company as communications director in 2019.
Commenting on his decision to step down, Ian Rippin said: “My time as CEO of MCS has been one of the highlights of my career. With the redeveloped installer scheme being rolled out and set to transform the consumer protection landscape in the UK, now is the time for MCS to move to a new phase with new leadership.
“Lisa has been responsible for the delivery of our certification scheme and its newly built customer experience function, and has built our redeveloped installer scheme.”
Cooke will formally take up the role of MD on 1 August and will be supported by Ian in a handover and transition period until the end of 2026. After leaving his full-time role at the end of December 2026, Rippin will continue to support the wider MCS Group in a part-time consultancy role.
Cooke will be supported by MCS Group CEO Dr Garry Felgate, who joined in April 2025 to provide leadership to both MCS and The MCS Foundation, and will also join The MCS Foundation’s senior leadership team.
