Kidde, which manufactures smoke, heat and carbon monoxide alarms, has appointed a new managing director, following the retirement of Andy Burnett

Kidde UK sales director Freddie Collins succeeds Mr Burnett and was appointed to the role on July 3. He has been with the company for 10 years and held the position of UK sales director for the past four years. In that time, he has diversified and strengthened the customer base, forged a unified, strong and committed sales team, grown sales and developed partnerships with key trade customers, said the company.

Mr Collins said of Mr Burnett’s retirement, which comes as Kidde celebrates its centenary this year: “Throughout his 13 years at the company, Andy Burnett has set a high benchmark in driving the company forward. All of us at Kidde thank him for his tireless commitment and wish him well for the future. I am committed to continuing his work in providing first class safety products and also the highest quality service for specifiers, customers and trading partners.”