Lisa Cooke appointed MCS Managing Director as Ian Rippin prepares to step down
UK – Lisa Cooke will become Managing Director of MCS on 1 August 2026, succeeding Ian Rippin after more than eight years leading the certification scheme for small-scale renewable energy installations.
Rippin will support Cooke through a handover period until the end of December 2026, when he will leave his full-time role. He will then continue to support the wider MCS Group as a part-time consultant.
Cooke, currently Chief Operating Officer, joined MCS in 2018 and has led the redevelopment of the MCS installer Scheme, which is now being rolled out to thousands of businesses.
Record growth under Rippin
Rippin became MCS’s first Chief Executive following its separation from government in 2018.
During his tenure, annual MCS-certified installations increased by more than 500%, while the number of certified businesses grew to nearly 6,000.
“My time as CEO of MCS has been one of the highlights of my career,” Rippin said.
“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.”
He added that Cooke’s experience delivering the Certification Scheme, developing the Customer Experience function and building the redeveloped installer Scheme made her well placed to lead the organisation.
Consumer protection at the centre
Cooke will be responsible for shaping and delivering MCS’s next long-term strategy, with a focus on strengthening confidence in renewable energy installations.
Confidence in home-grown energy is vital to this continued growth, and that’s why we’ve redeveloped our installer Scheme to put consumer protection at its heart
Lisa Cooke, incoming Managing Director of MCS
MCS said 2026 was tracking to become the sixth consecutive record year for certified installations.
“I am honoured to have been appointed as MCS’ Managing Director at such a critical time,” Cooke said. “MCS has a critical role to play in accelerating the UK’s transition to home-grown energy.”
Leadership support
Cooke will be supported by MCS Group CEO Dr Garry Felgate, who joined in April 2025 to provide leadership across MCS and The MCS Foundation. She will also join The MCS Foundation’s Senior Leadership Team.
Felgate said Rippin had transformed MCS and the small-scale renewable energy sector, adding that Cooke had the experience, industry knowledge and stakeholder relationships needed to lead its next phase.
Karen Shearer, Chair of the MCS Board of Directors, thanked Rippin for his leadership and said Cooke had played a significant role in the organisation’s growth and development.
MCS sets product and installation standards for renewable technologies, including heat pumps and solar panels, installed in UK homes and small businesses.
