A former senior director at Dyson, instrumental in launching some of the company's most iconic products globally, has been appointed as the chief executive of a fast-growing cleantech startup in Wiltshire.
From Hand Dryers to Home Heating
Herve Dehareng has taken the top job at Luthmore, a Chippenham-based company that has developed a battery-powered, zero-emission alternative to the traditional gas combi boiler. Mr Dehareng brings nearly two decades of experience from Dyson, where he served as director of operations and worked on the worldwide roll-out of products like the Airblade hand dryer and bladeless fans.
His extensive career also includes time at consultancy giant Accenture and involvement in major consumer product launches for brands such as Oral-B and Gillette.
The Luthmore Boiler: An "EV for Home Heating"
Founded by two ex-Dyson engineers, Luthmore has created a heating system designed specifically for small-to-medium homes facing the challenge of replacing gas boilers. The company's core innovation is a boiler that uses battery technology to store off-peak electricity and release it during high-demand periods.
The unit is designed to fit into the same space as an existing combi boiler, requiring no upgrades to radiators. It can deliver hot water at up to 30kW and central heating at 10kW. The system can also integrate with solar panels to enable fully electric, renewable heating and hot water.
"I want to make the Luthmore boiler the Electric Vehicle equivalent for home heating within three years," stated the newly appointed CEO, Herve Dehareng.
Significant Investment and Regulatory Tailwinds
In the three years since its founding, Luthmore has secured a total of £12.4 million in investment. A recent funding round of £5.5 million will fuel the next phase of the company's growth and expansion across the UK.
This latest round includes a £1 million investment from the British Business Bank, delivered through the South West Investment Fund managed by The FSE Group. The investor base comprises large housing developers, residential management firms, high-net-worth individuals, and plumbing agencies.
Ralph Singleton, head of equity South West at The FSE Group, highlighted the company's potential: “With clear regulatory tailwinds such as the Future Homes Standard (2026), a defensible patent portfolio, strong early traction with developers and installers, and a scalable manufacturing plan, we see a compelling near-term pathway for Luthmore to help households cut bills and emissions."
Mr Dehareng added that the substantial investment demonstrates a sector hungry for innovation and that Luthmore's technology will play a key role in helping the government meet its critical decarbonisation targets for homes.
