Blane Judd is to replace Robert Higgs as HVCA chief executive in July.
A chartered engineer and fellow of the Institution of Engineering and Technology, Mr Judd brings experience of the energy and building services engineering sectors. He served as operations director of sector skills council SummitSkills for three years from 2003 to 2006, and for the past five has been chief executive of the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE), which he led to the achievement of a Royal Charter in 2008.

Mr Judd also spent a decade with the Electricity Association, rising to the position of director of education standards and training.

HVCA president Martin Burton said: 'We were deeply impressed by Blane's determination, and perceived ability, to square up to the many challenges presently facing the Association, further to develop its profile with a broad range of stakeholders, and to grow its membership across building services engineering.'

Mr Judd said: 'I look forward to the opportunity to raise the status and enhance the effectiveness of the Association even further - and to develop the added value the HVCA already provides to its members.'

CIPHE chairman Reg James said: “We will be sorry to see Blane go, but would like to congratulate him on his new appointment and thank him for the major contribution he has made to the Institute during the five years he has worked with us... The CIPHE has a long standing relationship with the HVCA and we look forward to working with Blane in his new role.”

Rod Pettigrew continues as HVCA deputy chief executive, a position he has held for more than two years. Mr Higgs told H&V Review: 'In this post, Rod is playing a key role in developing the Association's footprint at a time when working practices and the scope of what our members are doing are changing.'

Mr Pettigrew will also work with the HVCA's head of sustainability, David Frise, to ensure that the Association is 'the natural home for specialists in renewable technologies' and he has been charged with ensuring that the HVCA's range of services continues to meet members' requirements.

The post of chief executive designate was created following the decision of current chief executive Robert Higgs OBE to retire in July of this year. Mr Judd will work with Mr Higgs over the next few months, and will progress to the role of chief executive on July 25, 2011.