Chris Caton

Chris Caton is the Product Director for commercial products at Groupe Atlantic, with responsibility for shaping the product strategy across its commercial heating brands, including Ideal Commercial Heating.

With his earlier career spent in the automotive afterparts industry, Chris joined Ideal Commercial Heating in 2014 as the Commercial Brand Marketing Manager. Chris has progressed alongside the business as it has evolved into part of Groupe Atlantic, developing expertise in product development, market analysis and strategic roadmap planning, enabling him to take on broader responsibilities across multiple brands and technologies. Today, he leads the commercial product management team, overseeing the development and delivery of product roadmaps that respond to changing legislation, market drivers, emerging technologies and customer needs. Introducing the right product at the right time is at the heart of his ethos, as is ensuring that innovation is always aligned with real-world application.

Chris has played a key role in bringing several leading products to market, including the launch of Evomax 2, which is the UK's No.1 wall mounted commercial boiler. Chris has also been instrumental in expanding Groupe Atlantic’s commercial heat pump offering - including Ideal Commercial Heating’s own Ecomod range - helping to establish low carbon technologies within a business traditionally associated with boiler manufacturing.

Putting the customer at the heart of decision making is fundamental to Chris and his team. Understanding customers’ differing needs, be they specifiers, installers, or building operators, has enabled Ideal Commercial Heating to provide practical support in their decarbonisation journey. We see the future of sustainable commercial heating not defined by a single technology or pathway, but with multiple technologies that provide flexible, practical solutions. In many cases, hybrid systems that combine heat pumps with boilers provide a pragmatic balance between decarbonisation, cost control and operational confidence.

But it’s not all about product. Taking a holistic view of product development, Chris recognises that a successful product extends beyond the appliance itself to include brand perception, customer experience, and pre- and post-sales support. It’s very much an all- encompassing approach.

Outside of work, Chris enjoys bouldering, mountain biking and working on his kit car, although he admits that a walk with his dog at the end of the day is often the most rewarding way to switch off.