“Hack The Heat” – Baxi & Tech Central

Sarah Windrum writes for Tech Central. Tech Central is a networking group based in the Midlands bringing together businesses who want to evolve and innovate using technology.

Local business people, representatives from our Universities, as well as Warwick District and Warwickshire County Council’s Economic Development teams gathered to ‘Hack the Heat’ last month in a joint Tech Central and Baxi hosted event.

Baxi, a 150 year old manufacturing business, has a share of Warwickshire heritage following its purchase of Potterton’s in 1999. Now the former Potterton’s warehouse is a hub for the firm’s innovation programme. 

“What is the future of heat?” Dave Willetts asked his audience as they took part in various activities in the Innovation Bunker including discussing how to use their skills to start their own heating business.

And the event was well timed. With the West Midlands Combined Authority launching their Energy Capital programme and the demand for power predicted to increase six fold year on year, it is crucial to evaluate all our energy needs. With employers like National Grid, Severn Trent, and Baxi and fantastic research institutions like Warwick and Coventry University we have a significant role to play in the future of energy innovation. 

 “Smart meters, sensors, app development will all have their part to play in the future of heating our homes and Tech Central was created to bring these organisations together.”  Sarah Windrum, CEO of The Emerald Group and CWLEP Board Director explains. “Tech Central was established in 2016 and is a business led networking group with crucial support from both Warwick District and Warwickshire County Council.” 

Chris White was among the guests and he spoke about the importance of highlighting the innovative eco-system we have in this area. “We have all the skills and talent we need right here” he told the room, “and it’s great to see groups like Tech Central bringing the innovators together.” 

 Tech Central will be hosting its next event at The Star & Garter on 22nd June at 6.30pm followed by a jointly hosted event with Black Pepper Software in the near future.  

The above article was originally published in Warwickshire Means Business in May 2017