For as long as there is a memory of them, they live on in our hearts
The passing of our beloved friend and colleague, Rosemary Coyne, has profoundly saddened the SHAP community. Her passion, intelligence, determinedness and generosity of spirit are sorely missed. In this newsletter, we pay tribute to her joyful personality and the impact she made in our sector and on the world. We have interspersed messages from our network with details of a few pieces of work we know Rosemary was particularly, and rightly, proud of. Video messages are being shared directly with Rosemary's family.
We will endeavour to keep Rosemary's legacy alive by continuing the critical work of SHAP, which we know was very close to her heart.
I was so saddened hearing of Rosemary’s loss.
Rosemary and I worked in the Birmingham City Council and afterwards as she got frustrated by the slow pace of addressing more efficient and sustainable building. She was a fantastic networker and was able to challenge and yet, with her friendly infectious smiles and zest for life, enthused so many of us, including myself.
I retired from my job in 2014, but kept in touch with Rosemary from time to time. We only had an email exchange in January this year, so it really has come as a shock to me.
My thoughts are with her family.
Sandy Taylor
I was shattered to hear the news of Rosemary’s death, and would like to express my condolences to everyone at SHAP and her family.
I have worked with Rosemary from the beginning, although less so for the last few years, but to me she was to me simply a constant of life in the sustainable energy sector in the West Midlands. I am crying writing this, because the region will not be the same without her. I last spoke to her almost exactly a year ago when she called to ask me to send flowers to another stalwart who we also lost then (Linda Forbes) but she said nothing about her own situation.
SHAP was Rosemay and Rosemary was SHAP. She was always sympathetic as well as enthusiastic, and optimistic, positive and committed even when SHAP had no income and the situation appeared hopeless. Her annual conferences were a rock on which the regional sustainability community was built. And she was always right to be positive. She made a massive difference and had major impact in her field in a way that is priceless but rarely attracts the kind of praise and recognition that people who shout louder or who are focused on recognition alone crave. Rosemary’s contribution was far more valuable and important than this. She is irreplaceable, and will be missed across the community.
I cannot believe she’s gone. The world will not be the same.
Matthew Rhodes, Camirus
Warm homes save lives
I have known and worked with Rosemary for over a decade, firstly with her work at Accord Housing, then as a climate coach at Climate-KIC, then at SHAP. During all of this time, Rosemary was an inspirational leader, mentor and friend at the same time.
Rosemary knew how to set visionary targets that could show the need for change, yet never shy away from the difficult barriers that existed. When I worked with Rosemary on the Warm Homes Saves Lives programme in 2019, she kept stressing the damage that fuel poverty causes – expensive energy bills, cold houses and unhealthy living conditions. She knew that the only way to tackle such a systemic problem was to think large scale and long term. Rosemary insisted that the recommendations should ask for £50m for the West Midlands to tackle fuel poverty – not that this would fix the problem but was enough to start an ambitious programme and create awareness of the scale of fuel poverty that existed.
Following the publication of the report, retrofitting energy-inefficient houses became an important part of the WMCA's #WM2041 programme, which sets out how the West Midlands aims to become carbon neutral no later than 2041.
Rosemary was fun to work with and could liven up dull meetings or workshops with energy, enthusiasm and a reminder of why the project was important. She could convince people that difficult work and hard choices were worth it.
We will miss Rosemary’s drive and commitment to make the planet a better place to live. I will miss Rosemary as a warm friend and inspiring work colleague.
Richard Bubb, SHAP Associate
I was very saddened to hear about Rosemary. Having not been involved very much with SHAP for some time, I wasn’t aware that she had been away from work so this news has come as a shock. I was always impressed by Rosemary’s personality, drive, spirit and dedication to the work of SHAP. The struggle to achieve the goals of SHAP always seemed to be possible with Rosemary at the helm. I hope her influence, values and vision can live-on to ensure that the goals can indeed be achieved. I feel privileged to have known Rosemary and would like to pass on my condolences to her family and colleagues.
Andy Thorpe, Healthy Development & Pollution Control Lead, Sandwell Council
I am greatly saddened to read the news of Rosemary’s passing on twitter. I worked with Rosemary between 1998 and 2002 at the Environment Agency.
She was a good friend, I went to her wedding. We kept in touch quite a lot over the years. My family and I always loved visiting her and Bob at the Hayes. I knew she was ill, but I had not been in touch recently, so did not know the cancer had returned.
Rosemary was an inspiration. She was so passionate about the environment, I learned so much from her. Her knowledge and dedication to her work and the world around her was always hugely impressive. She was a pleasure to spend time with, such fascinating conversation about so many various cultural, social and environmental topics.
Ruth Needham, Nee Hering
So very sorry to hear of the passing of Rosemary, I had the great pleasure of working closely with her over the last few years. I was pleased to support Rosemary with the fantastic work she drove to reduce fuel poverty, helping those who need it most to keep fed and warm.
Rosemary was passionate, diligent, and highly professional in everything she did.
My thoughts are with Rosemary’s family at this very sad time. I hope Rosemary is in better place.
I will miss her and will forever remember the great contribution she made.
Mike Leonard, Building Alliance
This is incredibly sad to hear. I would like to believe that I did get to know Rosemary a bit through all our Rugeley work together. I did always look forward to seeing her at our various meetings and always appreciated her warmth and her commitment.
Well, I can only wish that she may rest in peace and that her efforts will not have been in vain.
Philipp Thiessen, Business case and impact assessment team lead, Connected Places Catapult
I worked with Rosemary over a few years and in different roles and partnerships- she was always so passionate and brought an energy into the room. Latterly when we weren’t working together we would occasionally message or speak and it was usually about our shared love of our dogs.
Rosemary leaves a legacy professionally and also has a spot on many people’s hearts.
Sally Hancox, former SHAP board member
We are very sorry to receive the sad news of Rosemary's passing. Our sincere condolences to you all.
Though I didn’t get to meet Rosemary, we heard of her dedicated work at SHAP and I was looking forward to meeting her soon. I know this is a big loss for the team and wishing you all strength and peace at this difficult time.
May Rosemary rest in peace and her great work live on in the efforts of SHAP and the wider industry.
With heartfelt wishes,
Rachna Leveque, Connected Places Catapult
I first met Rosemary in the early days of the conception of SHAP. I was a newly promoted Affordable Warmth Project Officer for City of Wolverhampton Council, and feeling slightly overwhelmed and out of my depth. Rosemary, a true academic and expert in her field, never patronised or talked down to me, but always listened and made me feel that my opinion mattered. She gave me the confidence to have a voice. She lit up any conference or workshop with her knowledge, passion and winning smile.
Thank you Rosemary - a true mentor to me and a lovely, lovely lady, who will be sorely missed, but fondly remembered
Mandy Findlay, Surefire
Zero Carbon Rugeley
Zero Carbon Rugeley was a multi-faceted, multi-partnered project looking at how to decarbonise a medium-sized town. Rosemary was as always central to SHAPS’s work in this project, communicating with all partners including local community groups, Keele University and Equans, to steer our direction and ensure everyone understood what partners were doing, to achieve the best outcome for the project and ensure the household occupant was central to the solutions. The project created a plan to decarbonise Rugeley's housing and transport, using a smart local energy system to achieve this at least cost to the community, whilst minimising local energy network upgrades. SHAP created the plan for the housing stock based on a fabric first approach to ensure the householder benefits from warm homes and low bills. This included detailed retrofit energy plans (including design detailing) and modelling. Our learning points from this project can be reused for other retrofit programmes and have furthered SHAP’s detailed understanding of this work. Rosemary was key to SHAPs success in this project.
Duncan Sluce, SHAP Associate
I only did a bit of work with SHAP but it was really instrumental in building up knowledge around buildings and energy, and Rosemary was always so supportive and wonderful to work with.
She will be truly missed. I'm so sorry for this loss for all of you who worked closely with her.
Debbie Haynes, Oxford City Council
I have very fond memories of Rosemary, and a huge respect for her brilliance in the field of sustainable, warm homes. She was a tenacious and creative advocate for zero carbon, as well as honest and straightforward about the challenges it presents for us all. Rosemary is someone for whom I have always had huge respect, and I am so sad to hear of her loss to us all.
With greatest sympathy to her friends and family
Jane Trethewey, Assistant Director, Homes & Communities, Shropshire Council
I was very saddened to hear the news this morning, and on reflection very honoured to have known and worked with Rosemary. She bought enthusiasm and passion to every project and I have fond memories of the occasions our meetings over ran into a local hostelry. My condolences to all of her family and friends, the absence of her light must feel like a great loss.
Paul Davies, former SHAP board member
I was very sad to hear of Rosemary’s passing. I worked with her in the early days of SHAP as a part of the Community Green Deal steering group. Her enthusiasm and positivity was infectious and she had an excellent insight into the realities of the housing industry and the technical challenges that needed to be overcome. Above all she was a thoroughly nice person, supportive and collaborative and we are poorer for her absence.
Very best wishes to her family and friends from all at EH Smith
John Cave, Executive Director – Group, EH Smith Builders Merchants
This has taken a while because I have been trying to find the words. I think I was hoping that a little time would make it easier. Now I need to admit that I’m just not going to find the words that would do justice. I worked with Rosemary on and off, here and there, sometimes directly, sometimes tangentially. She will be a big miss for SHAP, but also for the wider sector[s]. More importantly, in this context, I will miss her – because apart from those important work qualities she was just a lovely person to be with (even when the work was tough and problematic). I hope it provides her family with a comfort to know that she touched so many people.
Arnout Andrews
I am deeply saddened to hear the terrible news of Rosemary’s passing. I met Rosemary 8 years ago as part of the Climate KIC Pioneers into Practice Programme and in more recent years I have occasionally worked with her in my role at the Midlands Net Zero Hub. Since I have known her, she has always shown passion, determination and dedication to her work and the fight against climate change. Her knowledge and approach to ‘get things done’ will be missed by the whole next zero community who has lost a champion, a leader, a point of reference, a mentor and a friend. Please send my sincere condolences to Rosemary’s family, my thoughts and prayers are with them and all of you at SHAP at this difficult time.
Serena Bacuzzi, Regional Principal Net Zero Projects Officer, Nottingham City Council
I'm so very sorry to hear that Rosemary has passed away. I worked with Rosemary in SHAP in the 2010s when I was a Policy Manager at Homes England (then the Homes and Community Agency). Her passion and commitment to sustainable housing, including the very challenging issue of retrofit of existing homes, and prevention of fuel poverty, were unparalleled. It was matched by her outstanding technical knowledge and ability, and her determination and perseverance, evidenced in the achievements of SHAP.
Rosemary really cared. Her contribution made a real difference. She was lovely to work with, an absolute inspiration, and I send my sympathy and condolences to her family and colleagues. She is missed.
Alison Mathias
A system change proposal to government
I first started working with Rosemary in 2021 and knew instantly that she would be fun, persuasive and a force to be reckoned with. Getting to know Rosemary and working under her guidance has been a highlight of my working life. She was kind, funny, hugely intelligent and patient. In the short time I knew her, Rosemary’s limitless, visionary thinking had quite a profound effect on me; instilling a belief that change is possible and we mustn’t minimise our ambitions in the face of adversity. Two significant pieces of work stand out for me that were born from Rosemary’s beautiful mind and have had a significant impact on SHAP’s network, with the ripple effects still being felt. The first is SHAP’s ‘Retrofit – a system change proposal to government’. Under Rosemary’s delicate leadership, this was a participatory piece of work, bringing together the expertise of SHAP’s network and summarising the systemic changes needed to overcome the barriers and mobilise the enablers that will catalyse the scaling of retrofit in the UK. The second was the joyful ‘retrofit snakes and ladders game’ that proved a huge hit at, and since, the SHAP 2023 Conference. The idea for this too was born from Rosemary’s creative mind. A fun but impactful way of emphasising the barriers and enablers within the housing sector and system at large, all who play it appreciate the more subtle message; that we must look beyond our own agendas and collaborate with others in the wider system; using our collective knowledge and expertise for the greater good and warm, safe homes for all.
Poonam, SHAP
We were so sorry to hear the sad news of Rosemary passing. Rosemary was a great colleague to work with during her time at Energiesprong UK. We have kept in touch since, really valuing her advice and support, warmth and good humour, along with her tireless commitment to make things better and to drive the retrofit sector forward.
Her last message to me was poignant so I thought it also worth sharing. "A lesson for us all to treat every decade and every year as the best of our lives. So hope you are making time for yourself and those near you whilst continuing to push for change. I'm off out to look for stars and planets before bed"
She will be sorely missed by those who worked with her. Our thoughts are with Rosemary's family and loved ones.
From all of us in the Energiesprong movement x
You hear stories of people that dedicate their lives to helping others, the only person I have known who fits that description is Rosemary. I will remember her as a woman who fought hard in all of her pursuits, and united hearts and minds. She is a true inspiration to all of us and a beautiful soul. Thank you for everything Rosie x
Becky, SHAP
As the previous Chairman of SHAP, I had the great privilege of working with Rosemary for many years in her principal role as SHAP Co-ordinator, a position that she held for well over a decade. Her passion, enthusiasm and incredible knowledge and insight enabled her to make a significant contribution to the work of SHAP, its partners and members. Rosemary had a deep understanding of the pathways to delivering low carbon housing, both newbuild and of course, the more complex challenge of delivering retrofit at scale. This included not just the technical and financial challenges, but always uppermost in Rosemary’s mind were the people who lived in these homes, especially those in fuel poverty. She knew just how important it was for those in housing need to live in warm safe, healthy homes and she never lost her ability to remind people of the need to place affordable warmth at the heart of any proposed solution.
Never one to take the limelight, Rosemary developed a great network of people across all sectors and had the ability to bring them together for the good of the causes that SHAP has always promoted. I remember one occasion when SHAP ran a workshop in Birmingham at the offices of Homes England. As was often the case, SHAP was operating on a tight budget and so Rosemary offered in addition to preparing the speakers and the technical literature for the event, to arrange the lunch for the delegates. She arrived early with a shopping trolley full of food and as she had been unable to buy any sliced bread, she produced some loaves of bread, a bread board and a long bread knife stating that delegates would need to make their own sandwiches. When I pointed out that it might not be a good idea to walk through Birmingham city centre with a 12-inch bread knife, Rosemary was totally unfazed, being totally focussed on the more important issues of the day.
Rosemary has left a significant legacy. You only need to look at the content of the SHAP website to see the range of research and reports that SHAP has produced over the last 15 years to know that these will continue to form the basis of delivering on the SHAP agenda. I am sure that SHAP and its members will continue the great work that Rosemary championed, in the knowledge that she really wanted to make a difference, provide better housing and lower the environmental impact of these homes. We all owe it to Rosemary to do our bit to deliver this agenda, now and well into the future in any way that we can.
She will be greatly missed, both personally and professionally.
Alan Yates OBE
