Mike Cherry met with three of the directors during a tour of the firm’s head office in Boldon, South Tyneside, where he learned more about its plans to further grow its branch network.

Mr Cheery said: “Part of my role as chairman is to meet our members face-to-face to help inform and shape future FSB policy. It’s been instructive to hear directly about how Flame is constantly innovating and diversifying to grow the business.”

He also chose to visit Flame after the company picked up the FSB’s UK Scale Up Business of the Year award in May 2019 as part of the Celebrating Small Business Awards 2019.

Mr Cherry continued: “It’s an exciting time for Flame Heating Group, which was a very worthy winner of the award. Having visited the company and met several of its staff, I’m confident it will continue to build upon its considerable achievements.”

Flame is set to build upon last year’s record revenues of £16.6m and profits of £2.87m with continued growth, sustained by investments in its infrastructure, branch network and the launch of new trade counters and bathroom showrooms.

Sean Langston, trading director at Flame Heating Group, said: “It was great to meet Mike and to hear how the FSB is representing and promoting the interests of member businesses such as Flame.

“He was very interested to learn more about how we have expanded - our business model, how we are developing our staff, Flame’s support for the apprentice programme and its recently-launched Azure bathroom range.”

Earlier this year Flame expanded its network with the launch of its 12th trade counter in the North West, this followed the successful launch of three trade counters in Scotland in 2018.