Meet the team

SIA Operations Team

Andy Hill

SIA Chair

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Andy has worked in the UK organics and alternative fuels sectors for over 17 years, with 9 years spent at SUEZ recycling and recovery UK where his focus was on the commercial development of alternative fuels for a range of markets. Following his successful career at SUEZ, Andy set up his own consultancy business, Cynosure Partners, and he is also the deputy chairman of the Wood Recyclers’ Association, which represents both UK producers and European energy and panel board consumers, along with non-executive chair roles for Gavin Griffiths Group and RPM Plant, and as a senior advisor for N+P.

Erica Malkin

SIA Comms Manager & Treasurer

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Erica is responsible for the SIA’s administrative, communications and treasury functions and has worked in the stove and fireplace industry for the last 13 years. Prior to her role with the SIA, Erica was the editor of Fires & Fireplaces magazine and awards manager for the long-running fireplace industry exhibition, Hearth & Home. She has held a variety of marketing and PR positions within both the public and private sectors and now runs her own communications business providing copywriting services and social media content for a range of clients.

James Verlaque

SIA Technical Manager

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James oversees all technical matters and functions of the SIA. James has many years’ experience in the combustion industry, starting his career as a graduate trainee at the Coal Research Establishment (CRE) of British Coal. He has since worked across the board, from analytical and test laboratories to advising on strategic energy policy and played a key role in the transformation of CRE into a private commercial business. James helped implement the joint venture with Gastec NV and established the gas appliance laboratory which expanded to include oil and solid fuel appliance testing as well as offering consultancy services.

SIA Executive Committee

James Archer

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Once upon a time, in a small shed in the countryside, a man called James Archer loved the warmth and coziness of a wood-burning stove, but he felt that the traditional designs were lacking something special. He wanted to create a stove that was not only functional, but was also beautiful.

So, he set out to make his dream a reality. With nothing but his passion and a few simple tools, James began crafting his first stove. He named it the Blithfield, after the beautiful Blithfield Hall nearby. Despite the challenges and setbacks he faced, James never lost sight of his vision. He spent countless hours perfecting his design and honing his skills, and before long, he had created his stove.

Today, James’s stoves can be found in homes all across the country, spreading warmth and coziness wherever they go. And though much has changed since those early days in the shed, one thing remains the same: James’s love for his craft, and his commitment to creating stoves that bring people together.

John Dyson

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David Van Vurren

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Simon Attfield

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Simon set up Iron and Wood Ltd, an independent stove and fireplace retail showroom, in Banbury at the end of 2009 after being made redundant as a senior buyer for a large chain of builders merchants. A second branch in Kidlington was opened in 2017. Simon is also a Parish councillor in the village where he lives and until recently was a School governor.

Simon is Chair of the SIA Retail Group.

Peter Mintoft

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Peter has worked continuously in solid fuel/gas/electric appliance product development since 1988 and is also on the board of clearSkies Mark Limited. From an engineering apprentice, to now managing director of significant UK stove and fire manufacturer Charlton & Jenrick, he has amassed considerable product design and approval experience and holds several patents. Outside the industry Peter is a volunteer steam locomotive driver and private helicopter pilot.

Peter is Chair of the SIA Technical Committee.

Hugh Wells

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Hugh is Managing Director of AJ Wells and Sons Ltd, manufacturers of Charnwood stoves on the Isle of Wight. He joined the family business nearly 20 years ago after previously working within manufacturing engineering in both aerospace and automotive at GKN. Charnwood was involved with the inception of the SIA and Hugh has been SIA Vice Chair for the past 5 years. He is also a director of the Isle of Wight Cricket Board and a trustee of Isle of Wight Youth for Christ.

Hugh is Vice-Chair of the SIA.

Tracy Curneen

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Tracy is Head of Business Support for Kiwa Ltd, which is a testing, inspection, certification and consultancy organisation. She has recently completed her 25^th year of service. Throughout this time Tracy has been heavily involved in the solid fuel side of the business and deals with the approval of appliances for UKCA, Defra Smoke Exemption and Smoke Authorisation of Fuels. Tracy is responsible for the administration of the clearSkies Scheme on behalf of clearSkies Mark Limited.

Nic Snell

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Nic Snell is Managing Director of Certainly Wood, a business based in Herefordshire set up in 2005 with his brother George on the family farm. Certainly Wood pioneered the kiln drying of firewood and now the UK’s largest specialist producer of British kiln dried logs supplying across the UK. Nic has been involved with the SIA ever since it formed and was closely involved with the original Woodsure Quality Assurance scheme, now the Ready to Burn accreditation. Outside of the business Nic is also a Trustee of the Nuffield Farming Scholarship Trust and a keen sportsman.

Phil Wood

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Phil is managing director of Contura Stoves (UK) Limited, part of the Swedish NIBE AB Group of companies. He has worked in the fireplaces, fires and stoves industry since 1985, primarily in sales, marketing & management. Contura has been involved with the SIA since inception. Phil was previously chair of the SIA for seven years and now serves on the Executive Committee as a European manufacturer representative. Outside the industry, cricket, football and golf take up any of Phil’s spare time.