Factsheet: Professional Competencies

Guidance on appointing the right consultant team to develop a decarbonisation plan.

Published 30 October 2025

The production of a decarbonisation plan requires the input and coordination of a number of different built environment professionals. In the context of historic and listed buildings, it is important to find professional advisors and contractors with appropriate and demonstrable skills, ability and experience in this area (referred to as competencies).

Depending on the nature of the building, a decarbonisation plan may require input from the following professionals:

Architect
Conservation expert (may be the Architect or other professional accredited in building conservation)
Building Surveyors
Mechanical & Electrical Engineers
Structural Engineer
Cost Consultant/Quantity Surveyor

For projects that require certification under PAS 2035 or PAS 2038, there a number of distinct roles required to ensure compliance. Refer to the Retrofit Academy guidance for further information.

Professional	Competencies	Professional Accreditation
Architect	The role of the architect includes a range of skills and knowledge in design, technical expertise, project management and regulatory compliance. The ARB categorises the core competencies under five key headings: - Contextual and Architectural Knowledge - Design - Research and Evaluation - Management Practice and Leadership - Professionalism and Ethics	Architects Registration Board (ARB): The Architects Register
Conservation expert	Heritage specialists can assess the history, architectural characteristics, and significance of the building. They can also provide advice on appropriate measures and construction techniques that maintain and enhance heritage values and historic features. An architect with experience in the conservation of historic and listed buildings may be able to undertake the role of conservation expert. Accreditation schemes can demonstrate skills specifically related to working with older buildings.	Members of Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC) RIBA Conservation Register Register of Architects Accredited in Building Conservation (AABC)
Building Surveyor	Building surveyors have technical knowledge in building pathology, construction technology, contract administration and design, and the skills to carry out site inspections to assess building condition and identify defects. Conservation accredited building surveyors have specialist knowledge of historic and listed buildings.	RICS Building Conservation Accreditation Scheme
MEP Engineers	MEP engineers specialise in the design of Mechanical, Electrical, and Public Health (or Plumbing) services, coordinating and integrating systems within buildings.	CIBSE - Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers iMeche – Chartered Institution of Mechanical Engineers IET – Institute of Engineering and Technology
Cost consultant / Quantity Surveyor)	Technical competencies include: - Construction technology and environmental services - Contract practice - Procurement and tendering - Project financial control and reporting - Quantification and costing of construction works - Building information modelling (BIM) management - Commercial management of construction - Design economics and cost planning	Accreditation from RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors)
Structural Engineer		Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE) Conservation Accreditation Register for Engineers (CARE)
Retrofit Assessor	A retrofit assessor assesses and gathers information about a domestic dwelling and provides it to the retrofit coordinator for use by a retrofit designer. They are domestic energy assessor (DEA) certified and registered by an assessor body. For historic or traditionally constructed buildings, this person should also be a conservation accredited professional (CIAT, CIOB, CARE, AABC, RIBA, RICS) and/or hold a ‘Level 3 Award in Energy Efficiency for Older and Traditional Buildings’.	Level 3 or Level 4 Retrofit Assessor (as appearing on the register maintained by Ofqual) Conservation Accreditation and/or ‘Level 3 Award in Energy Efficiency for Older and Traditional Buildings’
Retrofit Coordinator	Retrofit coordinators are experienced construction and design professionals who have undertaken training in the project management of domestic retrofit projects, ensuring compliance with retrofit standards such as PAS 2035. For historic or traditionally constructed buildings, this person should also be a conservation accredited professional (CIAT, CIOB, CARE, AABC, RIBA, RICS) and/or hold a ‘Level 3 Award in Energy Efficiency for Older and Traditional Buildings’.	Level 5 Diploma in Retrofit Coordination and Risk Management Conservation Accreditation and/or ‘Level 3 Award in Energy Efficiency for Older and Traditional Buildings’
Retrofit Lead Professional	Similar to a domestic retrofit coordinator, a retrofit lead professional undertakes a project management role in the retrofit of non-domestic buildings under PAS 2038. This role may be undertaken by the architect or MEP engineer. For historic or traditionally constructed buildings, this person should also be a conservation accredited professional (CIAT, CIOB, CARE, AABC, RIBA, RICS) and/or hold a ‘Level 3 Award in Energy Efficiency for Older and Traditional Buildings’.	Qualified Non-Domestic Energy Assessor (NDEA) Conservation Accreditation and/or ‘Level 3 Award in Energy Efficiency for Older and Traditional Buildings’

For more information see Finding the Right Professional Help.

Historic England, Cadw and Historic Environment Scotland have developed a Course Handbook for learners undertaking the ‘Level 3 Award in Energy Efficiency for Older and Traditional Buildings’ qualification. It is a useful resource to support guided learning from a registered training provider. It can also be used independently of the award for those looking to improve their technical understanding of retrofit for traditional construction.