School-leaver replaces company founder as MD

A school-leaver who started work making flues 33 years ago has become that company’s managing director, taking over from the company’s founder.

John Hamnett joined A1 Flue Systems in 1986 when the Nottinghamshire company was 13 years old and its founder, Colin Moir, was 44.

The business has grown to employ 140 people and has annual sales of £11m. It lays claim to being the UK market leader in the design, manufacture and installation of commercial and industrial chimney, flue and exhaust systems.

A1 Flues has recently secured a multimillion-pound contract to manufacture nine 100-metre tall chimney systems to be installed inside two of the four chimneys at Battersea Power Station in London.

Hamnett, who has been a director for eight years, said: “I really did start at the bottom, making flues in our factory and then working on sites across the UK installing them – and this grounding has been fundamental in understanding every aspect of the business and industry.

“I’m very grateful to Colin Moir for giving me a job all those years ago and now for the opportunity to become managing director. I appreciate this isn’t an easy decision for Colin to make because A1 Flues has been his life’s work, and it’s a privilege that he has entrusted it to me to drive the business forward.”