SIA Operations Team

Andy Hill
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.

David Hamilton
Head of Membership
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David Hamilton is the SIA’s Head of Membership, responsible for leading membership growth, engagement, and retention across all sectors represented within the Association. As the primary point of contact for SIA members, David manages day-to-day member relationships, supports the delivery of member services, and helps facilitate participation in SIA General Meetings. Through his proactive and relationship-centred approach, David plays a vital role in strengthening the SIA community and ensuring that members feel supported, informed, and connected.

Erica Malkin
Executive Director
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Erica Malkin is the Executive Director of the Stove Industry Association (SIA), leading the organisation’s strategic direction, stakeholder engagement, and operational delivery. Drawing on her experience in communications, policy, and association leadership, Erica oversees the development and execution of the SIA’s long-term vision and works closely with the Chair and Board to ensure effective governance and strong organisational performance. Erica is the SIA’s primary spokesperson, representing the stove and fireplace industry to government, regulators, media, and key industry bodies. She is responsible for shaping and delivering the SIA’s advocacy strategy, building influential relationships, and ensuring the sector’s voice is heard in policy and public-affairs arenas.

James Verlaque
Director of Policy, Regulation & Technical
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James Verlaque is the SIA’s Director of Policy, Regulation & Technical, leading the Association’s work on technical governance, regulatory engagement and industry standards, and provides authoritative insight across a wide range of regulatory, environmental and performance issues affecting the stove and fireplace sector. James chairs the SIA Technical Committee and its sub-groups, ensuring that industry expertise is coordinated, evidence-based, and aligned with the Association’s strategic priorities. He provides regular technical and regulatory risk assessments to the SIA Board, supports the Operations Team, and acts as a technical sign-off or spokesperson on key matters. 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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John Dyson
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David Van Vuuren
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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.
John Farrell
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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 25th 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.



