Mr Yates succeeds Caitriona Deakin, who left the company in December last year, having been chief executive of Corgi Services since 2011.

Mr Yates will take up his new post on March 1. With a strong background in the gas industry, he brings considerable knowledge and experience to Corgi Services and has 18 years’ experience working in the sector. 

He has held a number of senior positions, including his most recent role as managing director at Johnson & Starley, a manufacturer and supplier of warm air heating systems and boilers. Prior to that, Mr Yates was deputy director of the Heating and Hotwater Industry Council (HHIC).  

He said: “I am delighted to be joining Corgi Services which is a very strong brand with both trade and consumers. 

“I’m very much looking forward to developing the brand further and through it, strengthening the excellent work that the Gas Safety Trust is undertaking.” 

The Gas Safety Trust (GST) is a registered charity that operates to improve gas/fossil fuel safety for the public and industry. All the funds raised by Corgi Services through its licensed businesses are gift aided to the GST to support its research work. 

Roger Webb, non-executive director of Corgi Services said: “I am delighted that Chris has decided to join us. Having worked closely with Chris at HHIC I know that he will work well with the companies that use the Corgi brand and will provide the leadership that Corgi needs for its future development and growth.”