Cleaner Safer Group (CSG), parent company to independent not-for-profit organisations, HETAS and Woodsure, appointed Barry Cope as its new chief executive officer.
Barry has taken over from Bruce Allen, who has been in the role at HETAS since 2006 and at Woodsure since 2017. Bruce will remain with the organisations until he retires in September, working with Barry during the transition period.
According to a company statement, Barry brings a wealth of experience in the building, construction and air quality industries, specialising in testing and compliance. Over the last 10 years he was managing director of the Building Compliance Testers Association (BCTA) Group. The statement said he worked to strengthen the organisation’s domestic and global position. This involved the refinement, expansion and creation of new standards across certification, accreditation and training.
Barry will now turn his attention to focus on expanding the service and offerings of HETAS and Woodsure, it added.
He said: “It’s an absolute privilege to step into the role of CEO. The strong position we find ourselves in now is down to both Bruce’s leadership and the careful, hard work of the entire team over the last two decades.
“Across the group, we are fortunate to have some of the most knowledgeable and committed people in the industry. Over the coming years it’s important that we continue to utilise this expertise, while working closely with all stakeholders, including manufacturers, tradespeople and retailers as well as governments and local authorities, to ensure wood burning and biomass remains a trusted, sustainable heating option for future generations.”
Kaye Welfare, chair of CSG, added: “Over almost two decades as CEO of CSG, HETAS and Woodsure, Bruce has been passionately dedicated to strengthening each organisation’s focus on safety, developing a more sustainable environment and the expansion of our services. Bruce leaves behind an incredible legacy and a strong, group-wide culture of accountability, expertise and care, all of which will continue to shape our approach as we expand further. For that, we can’t thank him enough.
“We’re delighted to welcome Barry as our new CEO. His experience across sectors and managing corporate groups make him the ideal person to continue moving Cleaner Safer Group forward, utilising the trusted, leading voices of HETAS and Woodsure as foundations to grow and set best practices.”
Barry said: “Our mission is clear, through both HETAS and Woodsure, to continually improve the environmental performance of appliances and spearhead fuel quality across the UK, whilst educating consumers to make the right choices. This will only be possible if we continue to support all stakeholders with the best guidance, resources and practice. Our overall aim is to set the best standards internationally across both organisations, putting the UK at the forefront and creating a model that other countries want to follow.
“By utilising our combined knowledge, expertise and insight, it will enable Cleaner Safer Group to lead both HETAS and Woodsure, and support other organisations across all sectors in reducing their impact on the environment.
“I look forward to meeting and working with all our partners, experts and the wider industry over the coming months, ensuring we continue to lead the way with integrity, transparency and purpose.”