Level 6 NVQ in Operations Management Retrofit Coordinator and Compliance Manager at Efficient Energy Services (EcoGiants), Sonny Collins is passionate about retrofit
You started at 16 and have already made huge strides. Tell us more.
At just 20, I’ve worked across over 1,000 domestic retrofit projects through ECO4, LA FLEX, and GBIS schemes – overseeing PAS 2035 compliance, installer performance and audit quality. I currently lead quality assurance and process improvement across insulation, ventilation and fabric-first measures.
I’m passionate about improving industry standards, empowering younger professionals and creating clearer, more practical compliance processes for retrofit delivery. I’m also the founder of Clear Charge Claims, helping businesses reclaim hidden energy broker fees, and an advocate for modernising the retrofit workforce through better training and collaboration.
You feel strongly about compliance issues. Can you explain?
Retrofit compliance isn’t just about ticking boxes – it’s about creating homes that perform as designed. Across thousands of audits, I’ve seen that many failures stem not from poor intent, but from poor process. Installers and coordinators often work in isolation, with unclear communication between assessment, design and delivery.
The biggest improvements come from structured collaboration and shared accountability. When assessors, designers and installers communicate throughout the project lifecycle – not just at handover – the rework rate drops dramatically. Compliance becomes an outcome, not an obstacle.
What is the challenge for retrofit?
The retrofit sector faces a major skills gap. Thousands of qualified coordinators, assessors and installers will be needed to meet government targets – yet few young people see retrofit as a viable career path.
Having entered the industry at 16, I’ve seen first-hand how rewarding it can be. From technical learning to problem-solving and helping households improve their comfort and bills – it’s a sector that gives purpose. We need stronger visibility, mentorship and structured training pathways to attract the next generation.
Auditing thousands of retrofit projects has shown me that the challenge isn’t just collecting data – it’s using it effectively. By linking assessment findings, design intent and install performance data, coordinators can identify trends early and focus resources where they’re most impactful.
Digital tools can support this, but only when teams understand the ‘why’ behind each metric. Smart compliance means smarter delivery – not more admin. The goal is to build a process where data drives improvement, not paperwork.
