A1 welcomes back Clare Swain (Hollinworth)

A1 Flue Systems has made a key addition to our UK-wide field sales team with the appointment of Clare Swain.

It’s a welcome return for Clare - who previously worked at A1 before she moved south and got married. She will service existing relationships and build new ones with construction companies in Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire and Derbyshire.

She brings more than 20 years’ experience to the role and said that it’s an exciting time to be re-joining the team.

“The opportunity arose to come back to A1, and I jumped at the chance because it’s a great company to be a part of, especially as it has a new Managing Director in place driving the business forward,” said Clare.

“I kept an eye on A1’s progress over the last decade or so, and its list of achievements has been incredible. Some of the projects are hugely impressive, including The Shard in London and, most recently, Battersea Power Station. 

“I also love the fact that A1 is a champion of British manufacturing and that all the flue systems it designs are made at the factory in Ollerton. Even now, A1 remains the only UK company to have achieved the CE Mark for a complete flue system – despite it being mandatory for manufacturers to apply CE Marking to products such as flues, stoves, radiators, fans and other HVAC products.”

She added: “My role will principally involve dealing with the regional offices of some of the UK’s largest construction companies on projects including hospitals, hotels, offices, schools and public buildings.

“A1 has a lot to offer, and in many cases it is the only company with the capabilities to engineer flue and chimney solutions for challenging and complex projects.” 

Most recently, A1 Flues has secured a multi-million pound contract to manufacture nine British-made 100-metre tall chimney systems to be installed inside two of the four iconic chimneys at Battersea Power Station in London. As part of the redevelopment of the site of the Grade II* listed building, the company has been working on-site at the main energy centre (MEC), installing the flue modules for the South West and North East Wash Towers. 

The new A1 Flues Managing Director John Hamnett is delighted to welcome Clare back.

“Clare has slotted straight back into the sales role she held with us previously and will be a real asset to the business,” said John. “Although she knows flues and chimneys, her wider HVAC experience will also be hugely beneficial to the role, and she’s already hit the ground running, making contact with our key customers and those that we want to build closer and stronger relationships with.”

Mum-of-three Clare said that one of the most reassuring things about re-joining A1 is that there are a lot of familiar faces who remember her as Clare Hollinworth.

“It’s lovely to come back and see so many familiar people. It is a testament to the business that it has so many long-serving staff, who have been the backbone of the success of the company.”