Nottinghamshire-based A1 Flue Systems — a market leader in the design, manufacture and installation of commercial and industrial chimney, flue and exhaust systems — has appointed John Hamnett as its new managing director.

He succeeds Colin Moir, who founded the company in 1973; it currently employs 140 people at its facility in Ollerton.

Mr Hamnett said (www.a1flues.co.uk): “I started working at A1 Flues straight from school, and I could never have dreamt that I would one day ascend to become managing director of a business that has grown to become what I believe to be the best flue firm in the UK.

"I really did start at the bottom, making flues in our factory and then working on sites around the UK installing them, and this grounding has been fundamental in understanding every aspect of the business and the industry.

“I’m very grateful to Colin for giving me a job all those years ago and now giving me the opportunity to become managing director.

"I’ve been a director for eight years and have played a key part in developing the business in that time, which has included securing some landmark projects, such as the Shard in London.

"I’m very excited about the next chapter for A1 Flues.”

The company recently secured a multi- million-pound contract to manufacture nine 100m-tall chimney systems — to be installed inside two of the four iconic chimneys at Battersea Power Station in London.