After more than eight years, Ian Rippin has announced he is standing down as CEO of MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme), the UK’s quality mark for small-scale renewable energy systems like solar panels and heat pumps.
Ian was MCS’ first Chief Executive, appointed following its separation from Government in 2018.
Lisa Cooke, currently MCS’ Chief Operating Officer, has been recruited to succeed Ian and lead MCS as its Managing Director. Lisa joined MCS shortly after Ian in 2018 and has led the redevelopment of the MCS installer Scheme, which is now being rolled out.
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. So, there is no one better placed than Lisa to lead MCS into its exciting new era – not only as the UK’s standard setter and quality assurance scheme, but as a consumer protection organisation.”
Lisa will formally take up the role of Managing Director on 1 August and will be supported by Ian in a handover and transition period until the end of 2026, when Ian will leave MCS in a full-time capacity.
Lisa Cooke said: “I am honoured to have been appointed as MCS’ Managing Director at such a critical time. With 2026 already tracking to be the sixth consecutive record-breaking year for certified installations and the case for home-grown energy strengthening by the minute, MCS has a critical role to play in accelerating the UK’s transition to home-grown energy. But we know that 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. I’m proud to be leading MCS through this critical chapter, as we roll out the redeveloped Scheme, and prepare for our next phase of growth.”
Image: Ian Rippin (MCS)
