NACE Board | National Association of Chimney Engineers
NACE Board of Directors
Howard Cane
NACE CEO (Technical Director) - Howard Cane

Howard served a full term indentured apprenticeship within the building and construction industry on leaving the education system, during the following ten years a further two apprenticeships were completed, one as an Airframe Technician on the Saab - Fairchild A340, a Swedish twin-engine turboprop aircraft designed and initially produced by Saab AB and Fairchild Aircraft Company based in Linköping, Sweden, the other on generic diesel engines for the Henley Group/BLMC.

During the mid to late 1980’s Howard worked as a group director for a major central London based refurbishment contractor with overall responsibility for major shop fitting and building maintenance contracts in and around the M25 corridor, for the same organisation he was additionally responsible for trade union liaison, management of 14 National area offices, employment of office staff and over 2,400 sub-contractors.

In 1990 Howard was appointed MD to head up a specialist sub-contractor business for and on behalf of the Wembley Stadium Group Ltd reporting directly to their board of executives. Further management experience was gained whilst working for Euro Disney in Paris and on the multi-million pound Smith, Kline and Glaxo laboratory project in Stevenage, Hertfordshire.

In 1994 Howard launched a specialist building and refurbishment business focusing on the period home market, fireplace installation, structural chimney design and combustion appliance practicality.

In 2011 Howard was appointed NACE Technical Director and in 2018 NACE CEO, both positions he holds currently.

Trevor Hendes
NACE Executive Director, Training & Education – Trevor Hendes

Trevor joined NACE in June of 2019 responsible for NVQ level 2 assessment, competency training and CPD technical education, having spent six years as a senior manager for a well-established South West of England chimney and appliance installation contractor Trevor brings a wealth of technical knowhow, organisational management as well as regulatory and best practice expertise to the NACE board.

Before entering the chimney engineering industry Trevor acquired a BA in archaeology from Southampton University, after which he spent some considerable time within the contracting industry acting in the role of sub-contractor to both main contractor and individual client on small scale and larger built projects.

Alan Davies
NACE Membership Director - Alan Davies

Alan joined the NACE board in 1985 as Membership Director with responsibility for technical appraisal, site installation inspection and member competence.

Having served a four year apprenticeship as a welding fabrication and toolmaking engineer with the National Coal Board Alan went on to diversify into coal mining development and methods of coal extraction, in 1980 Alan launched his own domestic heating and installation business with specific interests in domestic chimney lining and relining which he continues to manage to this day.

Working over many years as both service provider and consultant for and on behalf of many well-known, established national organisations and businesses, major insurance underwriters, national housing associations and principal loss adjusters Alan continues to demonstrate the wealth of technical skill and knowledge necessary to appraise and define physical on-site competence and theory capability of those applying to join the NACE membership register.

Andrew J.S Hemsley
NACE Executive Director, Biomass Projects - Andrew J.S Hemsley

Commencing his employment in the forestry industry Andrew spent his formative years learning his trade in the chimney engineering industry. In early 1974, Andrew launched the very first retail outlet in Kent where he sold and carried out the installation of wood burning appliances and Biomass boilers.

Andrew was one of the founding members of NACE Ltd and has acted in the role of Chairman before standing down in 2014.

A prominent figure within the industry for nearly 50 years Andrew continues to head a well-respected and established family business who remain at the forefront of innovative work practices.

Andrew’s business has won many awards over the last four decades with recognition of his training of employees to the highest mechanical standards acknowledged by industry, he currently acts as a chimney engineering consultant as well as continuing to provide a ‘hands-on’ service and design facility for the installation and operation of woodstoves, biomass pellet, chip heating systems including solar PV and Thermal air source heat pumps.

John Lewis
NACE Executive Director, Operations - John Lewis

As well Johns board role with NACE he is also the Director of Operations and Training at the Lead Sheet Training Academy, training the next generation of lead and hard metal workers from City & Guilds accreditation through to Advanced Heritage level.

John has over 30 years’ experience in construction with training leadership and management roles developed over a 30+ year career, having achieved a broad set of competence based skills throughout his working career John brings considerable learning strengths and management skills to NACE.

During his 14 years serving in the Royal Engineers, (British Army) John took on many roles one of which was as an instructor for new recruits at the Royal School of Military Engineering. Throughout his career John has been passionate about sharing life and work related experiences with others in a learning and training environment leading to his appointment at the LSTA and NACE.

Following on from his Army career, John worked as a self-employed plumber. Later on he retrained to achieve his teaching qualifications and worked in a variety of roles within the school system, for charitable and private training organisations at Director level gaining valuable experience whilst setting up new programmes, teaching, training and assessing new students.

NACE General Enquiries:
Tel: 01526 322555
info@nace.org.uk
NACE Training & Education:
Tel: 01929 332332
trainingandeducation@nace.org.uk
NACE Technical Help Desk:
Tel: 01223 774477
technical@nace.org.uk
NACE Lecture Workshop Experience:
Tel: 0330 500 1030 
lectureworkshops@nace.org.uk

Fire Risk Guidance helpline 020 3030 5999 email: firekills@nace.org.uk
Carbon-Monoxide Guidance helpline 01793 221 999 email: carbonmonoxidekills@nace.org.uk

NACE Board Members | National Association of Chimney Engineers