A sweep from an early age, Ian brings a wealth of industry and business experience to the board. We are very much looking forward to working together for the benefit of members and the wider solid fuel industry.
Ian sent us the following words…
First of all, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the rest of the board of the Guild of Master Chimney Sweeps for welcoming me on as a director. It’s a real honour to be part of such a respected organisation within our industry.
A little about me — I started sweeping chimneys with my dad long before I even left school. He always swept from the top down, so from an early age I was up on the roofs with him learning the trade properly. In fact, the first chimney I ever climbed, I was about three years old… much to my mum’s horror — but that’s a story for another time!
Since those early days, a lot has changed in the trade. Equipment, regulations, and technology have all moved forward, but at its heart, the job remains the same. Even now, with two installation teams and two full-time chimney sweeps, I still class myself — and always will — as a chimney sweep, and I’m incredibly proud of that.
Over the years, the job has taken me further than I ever expected. I’ve travelled to America, Germany, and Italy, all through chimney-related work. It’s always interesting to see how others approach the trade, and you invariably come back having learned something new.
I’ve always been passionate about chimney sweeping and continuing to learn. I’m dyslexic, which has had its challenges, but it has never stopped me from pushing myself to improve, gain knowledge, and educate myself within the industry. If anything, it’s made me more determined to keep learning and developing.
One memory that always sticks with me is when my dad brought button ends for his rods back into the UK — something completely new at the time. He ended up getting stopped at customs and questioned about what they were for… which gave us all a good laugh!
I hope I can bring something a little different to the table in my role as director, and I’m looking forward to playing my part in helping move our industry forward.
Thank you,
Ian Paterson
Director, Guild of Master Chimney Sweeps
