From January 2026, Ofgem began regulating heat networks for the first time — a significant step forward for consumers who, unable to switch supplier, have had limited formal protections and, in some cases, faced issues with pricing, service quality, and redress. rb&m, as the Heat Trust's sole appointed auditors since the voluntary scheme's inception and co-producers of the Ofgem/Heat Trust gap analysis, examines what the new Authorisation Conditions mean in practice for operators who must now get regulation-ready.

2023 was a busy year for rb&m with one major market research report published and several other projects started including continuing work on consumer protection in the energy flexibility sector, technical research comparing wind energy forecasting methods and an examination of the thermal performance of properties in the Scottish Highlands.