Meet the Supplier: Get to Know Smart Energy West Midlands

In our latest Meet the Supplier feature, we caught up with Matt Dransfield, Managing Director of Smart Energy West Midlands, a supplier on the GFP Decarbonisation Delivery DPS. Matt shares how Smart Energy, which he founded over 10 years ago, puts customers at the heart of every installation and explains why successful retrofit goes far beyond simply installing insulation or renewable technologies.

What is your company’s mission statement/aims/objectives?

Our mission is: To improve lives by creating warmer, healthier and more energy-efficient homes through technical excellence, genuine care and an unwavering commitment to doing the right thing.

At Smart Energy, we’ve always believed everyone deserves a home that is comfortable, efficient and affordable to run. Whether a customer is receiving funded improvements or investing in their own property, our approach is exactly the same, we treat every home with the same care and attention we’d expect if it belonged to our own family.

We’re not simply installing insulation, heating or renewable technologies. We’re helping people feel happier, healthier and more secure in the place that matters most to them.

Every decision we make comes back to one simple question: “If this were our own home, would we be happy with this?” If the answer isn’t yes, we keep improving.

Can you give us a brief history of your company?

I founded Smart Energy West Midlands over ten years ago after spending a decade working across the energy industry.

During those ten years, I came to realise that delivering a successful retrofit isn’t simply about installing insulation or renewable technologies. It’s about joining the dots between technical excellence, commercial understanding, emotional intelligence, compliance and understanding how people actually live in their homes.

I’ve always enjoyed the detail, but I’ve also naturally looked at the bigger picture. I realised that technical expertise and emotional intelligence aren’t separate skills, they’re two halves of the same conversation. You can deliver the most technically perfect installation in the country, but if the customer feels confused, ignored or anxious throughout the process, you’ve missed the point.

That way of thinking became the foundation of Smart Energy.

We often say we’re not working on houses; we’re working on someone’s castle. Every property is somebody’s safe place. It’s where families grow, memories are made and people should always feel warm, comfortable and secure.

That’s why we put the customer at the heart of the home, and the home at the heart of every installation.

Over the years we’ve grown from an insulation specialist into a whole-house retrofit business delivering insulation, heating, solar PV, battery storage, ventilation, windows and doors. While the technologies have evolved, our philosophy hasn’t.

We still believe the best projects begin by listening, continue by educating and end with a customer who feels genuinely cared for.

What are the benefits of being on the GFP Decarbonisation Delivery DPS?

We enjoy working with organisations that genuinely want to improve people’s lives rather than simply complete projects. The DPS brings together partners who value quality, compliance and customer experience just as much as cost, making it an excellent fit for the way we work.

What services do you provide?

We provide a complete whole-house retrofit service including loft, cavity and internal wall insulation, solar PV, battery storage, air source heat pumps, ventilation, heating upgrades, windows, doors and electric heating. We believe the best outcomes come from looking at the home as a whole rather than individual measures in isolation.

Can you share some key achievements?

We’re proud of our accreditations and continued growth, but what matters most is our reputation. Much of our work comes through recommendations and repeat customers, which tells us we’re delivering the experience we set out to achieve.

What sets your business apart?

We don’t think customers buy insulation or solar panels, they buy warmer mornings, lower energy bills, healthier homes and peace of mind. Anyone can install products. Our job is to improve the way people feel about coming home.

How do you contribute to communities?

We recruit locally wherever possible, invest in training and apprenticeships and believe every installation should leave a lasting positive impact, not only through lower bills and reduced carbon emissions, but through healthier, happier homes.

What will be your focus over the next 12 months?

Our focus is on sustainable growth, improving our customer journey through technology and CRM development, strengthening partnerships and ensuring we continue delivering the same high standards as we grow.

What are the biggest challenges facing the housing sector?

The biggest challenge is creating long-term certainty. Stable funding, consistent policy and investment in skills will allow the industry to plan confidently and deliver better outcomes for residents.

What are the biggest challenges facing your business?

Our biggest challenge isn’t finding work; it’s growing without losing the culture and standards that built our reputation. We’d rather grow steadily than compromise the customer experience.

Are there any recent innovations that excite you?

For us, innovation is about making life easier for customers. Better communication, better systems, less paperwork and a smoother journey are just as valuable as advances in technology.

If you were Housing Minister for the day?

I’d bring long-term stability to policy and funding, giving businesses the confidence to invest in people, apprenticeships and innovation. I’d also make customer education a national priority because informed homeowners make better decisions.

Can you tell us an interesting fact about your organisation?

We often say we’re in the people business as much as the energy business. Some of our best improvements have come from listening to customers and our own teams rather than sitting around a boardroom table.

What is the biggest challenge in making housing more sustainable?

Retrofit isn’t just about products, it’s about people. Great technology only delivers its full potential when customers understand it, trust it and feel supported throughout the journey.