Blue Flame is celebrating 35 years of success with some very exciting news this year! The award-winning company’s founders, Mark Bolitho and Paul Smith, will be retiring after more than four decades in the heating industry and their business will become 100% Employee Owned as they step into a well-earned retirement. This exciting transition to Employee Ownership will take place from April 2024, with long-standing employees Matt Dennison and Grant Doe being appointed as Company Directors of the new Employee Owned business.
Having begun their careers with Blue Flame more than 20 years ago, Matt and Grant are long-established staff members, joining the heating, renewable and electrical company in the early days. Working their way through the ranks under the watchful eyes of Mark and Paul, they have both spent significant time as apprentices, engineers, technicians, in design & specification roles, as well as department team leaders and over the last several years as senior managers. In fact, there is no aspect of the business that Matt and Grant aren’t familiar with thanks to the support and guidance of Mark and Paul. Both founders have been far more than mentors to Matt and Grant who share fond memories of sitting in the vans with the owners and their mums making extra sandwiches for them each morning before the convivial lunchbox raiding from the boss!
It is this strong bond, echoed across the entire business, that Matt and Grant are committed to preserving, using it to build a thriving future for their staff and customers. Over the years Mark and Paul have constantly recognised the efforts of their team with both founders equally enthusiastic for this move. As Mark explains “We have always considered our incredible team the backbone of our company’s success. Transitioning to an employee-owner model is Blue Flame’s proactive commitment to preserve our identity, promote employee well-being and provide long-term stability.” Paul continues “Employee ownership aligns the interests of our workforce with our long-term business goals, fostering a sense of shared responsibility, innovation and commitment.”
Both Mark and Paul will step back from Blue Flame in April as Matt and Grant take the reins for this next chapter. More like family than mentors, Mark and Paul are confident that they have firmly embedded the Blue Flame values into Matt and Grant, thrilled to see their next generation take the lead.
As Matt explains “We have spent over 20 years of our lives dedicated to Blue Flame, working closely under Mark and Paul whilst progressing through the ranks taking the time to understand every angle and aspect of the business.” Grant continues “I felt a connection with Blue Flame from my first day of work experience and it is a total privilege to be handed this responsibility.”
Keen to continue Mark and Paul’s legacy, they are excited with the move to Employee Ownership, knowing it will enable their staff to feel more engaged whilst making a significant difference to their daily lives. This next chapter for the company symbolises Blue Flame’s commitment to collaboration and a shared success across the entire team
With such a rich history behind them and innovation on the horizon, the future certainly looks bright for Blue Flame.