15 April 2025
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Best known in the industry as the Treasurer and a Director of the Ground Source Heat Pump Association (GSHPA), Andrea Ellison shares her fascinating journey in the heat pump industry. From being an innovative risk-taker to growing a thriving family business and playing an integral role in the ongoing success of GSHPA, Andrea also discusses her thoughts on inspiring women to enter the industry and the challenges it faces.
At the age of 13, I started working part-time on a greengrocer’s stall in Burnley Market Hall. That experience gave me confidence in dealing with the public. Coupled with my first full-time job as an office junior in a printers and stationers, I gained a solid foundation for my career in administration and accounting.
I later worked as a manager in the accounts office of a large national brewery before becoming a maths teacher and eventually a headmistress. It has been a diverse but interesting career path, providing me with a wealth of skills and opportunities.
I became involved in the heat pump industry quite by accident. As mentioned, I was working as a headmistress at a private school. My husband, Geoff, had his own environmental consulting and engineering company. At the time several of his projects were on hold due to a shortage of drillers, so we decided to set up a drilling company.
It was a brave step to put our house on the line for a completely new venture, but that was 20 years ago, and we haven’t looked back.
As environmental drillers, we started off by installing environmental management systems on landfill sites including methane extraction for renewable power generation. We then moved into boreholes for water supply, including treatment. It was fortuitous that we were based in North Wales, which is the largest market for private water supplies in the UK.
Moving into ground source drilling was a logical step and we drilled our first ground source borehole in 2008.
At the time, I was still teaching, but I always played an active role in managing the accounts. As the business continued to grow, I decided to leave teaching to take on a full-time role to help drive the business forward. I quickly realised that ground source sector was the future for sustainable heating and cooling and became the company’s point of contact with the Ground Source Heat Pump Association (GSHPA).
I thoroughly enjoyed interacting with the GSHPA, became chair of their marketing group followed by treasurer and then a director in 2020.
Today, we have five environmental companies and 34 employees — what started as an idea over an evening meal in the kitchen has grown into a thriving business.
What does your current role involve?
I don’t have just one role — no two days are alike! I start my mornings by checking my phone diary to see what’s planned for the day.
I oversee the finance and administration for five businesses, which I own and run with Geoff and our two sons, Ben and Sam. These include:
• Ellison Environmental Services Ltd – an environmental consultancy
• Dragon Drilling (Landfill) Ltd – a landfill drilling business
• Dragon Drilling (Water) Ltd – specialising in water, ground source, and monitoring boreholes
• Dragon Renewable Energy Ltd – offering complete renewable energy packages
• Envirohire Ltd – an environmental engineering company, which is about to launch a patented ground loop testing system.
As the Treasurer and a Director of the Ground Source Heat Pump Association (GSHPA), I work closely with the other three directors as well as Stephen Bielby, our secretariat, and Ken Gordon, our CEO. I manage the day-to-day bookkeeping and accounts as well as organise and host working group meetings, assist Stephen with events, and represent GSHPA members at various exhibitions, shows, and industry events.
For the past three years I have worked alongside some of the GSHPA members, Charlie Allardyce of Landrilling NVQ and MCS to develop a drilling standard and audit. It has been a tough challenge at times, but our audit is now developed to match the requirements of the standard. All drillers, including non-members, can book an audit which we expect to become mandatory this year. This means that just as an installer must be registered with MCS for the customer to receive the BUS scheme, so too will the driller.
This is a really important step within our industry as drilling becomes better regulated and standards are in place. Each audit lasts for two years, it is not an annual one, and details can be obtained from https://gshp.org.uk/drilling-audit or by emailing [email protected].
What do you see as the challenges facing the industry?
The cost of electricity must come down, and the UK Government and devolved national Governments must actively support and encourage large financial institutions to invest in ground source infrastructure. We are on that path now, and once the new Heat Network Regulations are finally in place — covering shared ground loops and ambient heat networks — I believe there will be a significant increase in the number of heat pumps installed. Heat pumps will and must become accessible to everyone, rather than just the few, as is currently the case.
Did you have any mentors or anyone who inspired you?
Yes, five that have been my inspiration.
Firstly, my parents, who always told me, “There’s no such word as ‘can’t.”
Two of my teachers from my high school, Janet Sautejeau and Jim Taberner, who encouraged me to believe in myself, do the right thing, and aim for my goals. We have stayed in contact for the 46 years since I left school, and we even spent a weekend together last July.
And last, but not least, my husband who, for 43 years, has always encouraged me in whatever path my career has taken.
What would you say to other women considering joining the heat pump industry?
Go for it!
When I first started in this industry, I was very much “a woman in a man’s world.” At my first official heat pump meeting, I was asked if I was lost and in the correct room! How times have changed.
At GSHPA, we have four directors, three of whom are women. I have watched the industry embrace an increasing number of women across all levels. Our current Government minister for energy is a woman and this shift should be celebrated, as it shows how many opportunities exist for women in this field.
I believe this shift is becoming more evident. I was proud to have recently been recognised in the prestigious Trade Association Forum (TAF) 2025 Power List, which celebrates the most influential leaders in the trade association sector.
The GSHPA kindly mentioned in a recent post: “Andrea’s inclusion highlights her exceptional leadership and dedication to driving positive change within the sector. Her work is an inspiration to women across the industry, and her recognition serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of empowering women in leadership roles."
What do you like to do outside of work?
Family comes first. My three children and five grandchildren are my priority whenever I have free time.
Geoff and I love travelling, and we have several trips planned for 2025, including two conferences in the USA. I also enjoy socialising with family and friends, visiting my mum and stepfather in Cyprus, organising local and GSHPA charity events, and — when time allows — getting out my knitting needles!
