10 March 2026
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Linda Field, New Build and Social Housing Manager at Qvantum UK, she shares her journey from being a beautician and aerobics teacher to taking on an evolving role focused on building brand awareness and growing Qvantum’s customer base.
When I was fresh out of college at 18, I worked as a beautician and aerobics teacher at a local health centre, so yes, I did start out in a totally different field! I loved it, though, and it really gave me independence and confidence. Plus, I had to build my own customer base because there were other beauticians and classes people could choose instead. It taught me so much about working with people and providing excellent service, skills that definitely helped me later in sales.
How did you get into the heat pump industry?
I started out in sales within the plumbing and heating world, working for companies like Porcelanosa, Vaillant and Baxi. When my kids were little, I took a step back to manage some holiday cottages my husband owned so I could be closer to home. But I really missed the industry, so I started helping part-time at a small biomass boiler company nearby. What started as helping with trade shows quickly grew into a full-time sales role as my responsibilities increased. Once my kids were older, I jumped back in fully, and I have been working in heating — and renewables — ever since. Helping people find the right solution has always been what drives me.
I am currently the New Build and Social Housing Manager at Qvantum UK, and honestly, it’s such a breath of fresh air! The company is still relatively new to the UK, so my role is always evolving. I head up the new build and social housing team, which I have worked in for years, and my focus is building brand awareness and growing our customer base. No two days are the same, which keeps things interesting, and I love that Qvantum’s products are genuinely
different from other heat pumps, people are really interested in what we offer and how it can help them.
What are the challenges facing the industry?
There are a few big ones. Uptake of heat pumps has been slow because of uncertainty around the Future Homes Standard, which makes planning tricky for housebuilders. There’s also the “spark gap” homes with heat pumps can cost buyers more than traditional gas heated homes, so that’s a barrier too. And finally, we really need more young people coming into the trade. Apprenticeships aren’t always easy to get, and the industry needs to do more to make it appealing to the next generation.
Did you have any mentors or anyone who inspired you?
My dad was a huge inspiration, even though I didn’t fully realise it until later. He was a salesman in the days before emails and mobile phones, everything by post and I would spend so much time with him in his workshop, doing woodwork and fixing things. That probably explains why I was drawn to construction and heating. He had this saying, “The saddest words in the English language are ‘if only’,” which still sticks with me. It reminds me to take chances and not have regrets.
What would you say to other women considering the heat pump industry?
Absolutely go for it! The industry has changed a lot since I started. Back then, there weren’t many women, and it could be tough to be taken seriously. Now, there are so many amazing women doing brilliant work, and there are real opportunities to build a rewarding career.
What do you like to do outside of work?
Most of my time is spent with family — between my husband and me, we have six children and eight grandchildren. I also love spending time with friends, cooking, and having people over for dinner. And I enjoy walking my dog, though not quite as far as we used to, because she’s 15 now.
