New Ollerton business to go head to head with Hotel Inspector

TV star Alex Polizzi will cast her eye over A1 Flue Systems after the company was shortlisted for a prestigious award.

The feared Channel 5 TV star will quiz directors for an hour.

TJ Moir and John Hamnett from the family-run firm will face Ms Polizzi and four other judges at a panel interview for the Midlands Family Business Awards later this month.

TJ said: “We’re looking forward to meeting Alex Polizzi and the rest of the judges to talk through our award submission and explain how we’ve increased the profits and turnover of our business in very challenging personal and professional circumstances.”

The winners will be revealed at a glittering event in Birmingham in November, hosted by the granddaughter of the famous hotelier Lord Forte.

Rather than being put off at the prospect of facing the combative Ms Polizzi, TJ is relishing the prospect of putting her case forward as to why A1 Flue Systems should scoop the Family Business of the Year crown.

She added: “We have three generations of the family working at A1 Flue Systems and we have battled through tough times and come out stronger as a family and a business as a result.

“A1 is going from strength to strength and we’re looking forward to telling Alex Polizzi how we’ve done it.”

A1 Flue Systems has also been shortlisted for Business Innovation at the same awards.

The company is also celebrating as it has been shortlisted for Contractor of the Year at a trade awards event – the HVR (Heating and Ventilating Review) Awards.

The event will take place in October at London’s Millennium Gloucester Hotel.

TJ continued: “It’s such a huge honour to be shortlisted for two prestigious awards that recognise the efforts of family-run businesses.

“Our success as a business and the fact that we’ve been recognised by the organisers of the awards are testament to the 130-strong team at our factory in New Ollerton that give their all for A1 Flue Systems.”

For more information visit www.a1flues.co.uk.