This spring, Erica Burlace joined HETAS as head of operations, while Kaye Welfare takes a position on the Board as non-executive director. In their new roles, Erica and Kaye will help consolidate HETAS’ continued commitment to environmental responsibility and bring together the business community with a shared purpose.

Chief executive of HETAS, Bruce Allen, said: “We’re very pleased to welcome Erica and Kaye to the team at HETAS. Already we can see their backgrounds and combined experience will improve the sustainability of our work, both financially and environmentally.”

Erica’s background is very varied having spent a decade managing operations for The Crown Estate, and more recently working with several start-up companies to establish strategic direction and secure resources. She was also director and chair of Worcester Business Improvement; creating financial certainty for projects to add value to the local economy.

In her new role, Erica will work with the HETAS team to help the organisation achieve sustainable future growth.

Kaye has experience of working in private, public, and voluntary organisations. Her knowledge of leadership and experience of the environmental sector will help challenge and support HETAS in developing its strategic direction over the coming years. 

As managing director at The Glass Lift for six years, Kaye developed inclusive leadership programmes and supported organisations to improve performance. She has also been assistant chief executive for Severn Wye Energy Agency, an environmental charity involved in climate change and fuel poverty, and chair of the Board of Energy Advice South West. 

She currently holds a Board position as deputy chair of trustees for the Centre of Sustainable Energy in Bristol, a national charity that aims to reduce fuel poverty and tackle climate change.

HETAS works for consumer safety and the wider public interest in the safe and environmentally responsible use of biomass and other solid fuels.