← About HRS

Our Team

The people making fire more efficient — across India, Australia, and the Himalayas.

Core team

Russell Collins

Russell Collins

Founder / CEO / Lead Designer

Russell developed the Himalayan Rocket Stove project after many years traveling in the Himalayas and witnessing deforestation and climate-related change. He also developed the formula for the Smokeless Cookstove, now being rolled out by the Smokeless Cookstove Foundation. Based in Australia and working in India, he juggles his life and work between the two countries. Beyond HRS, he founded and runs Rocket Man Designs and Eco Stoves Australia — extending clean combustion work through design practice and Australian-market stoves alongside the Himalayan programme.

Abhishek Negi

Abhishek Negi

Founding Team · GM / Director

Abhishek Negi brings his engineering expertise to the critical role of overseeing everything from production and quality control to team cohesion and product design. Being from the mountains, he understands intimately the importance of what we are doing — and how to communicate it to collaborators.

Chozang Namgial

Chozang Namgial

Founding Team · Regional Manager / Director — J&K and Ladakh

Chozang Namgial has been involved with rocket stoves in Ladakh since he first built one at SECMOL institute. He has been part of the HRS project from the very beginning, including through the prototyping phase in Ladakh. He is one of the company directors and Regional Manager for Ladakh and J&K.

Tanzin Rigzin

Tanzin Rigzin

Founding Team · Product Testing & Customer Service

Tanzin Rigzin has been working with Russell since the very beginning — involved in early-stage prototyping and development that led to the Smokeless Cookstove Foundation. He has first-hand knowledge of all aspects of both projects and now focuses on sales in the Himachal region.

Pallvi

Pallvi

Assistant Manager — Sales

Pallvi specialises in pre and post-sales operations. She is a dedicated and detail-oriented professional known for her sincerity and positive approach. Her ability to balance creativity with practicality makes her a valuable asset to the organisation.

Rakesh

Rakesh

Accounts Manager

Rakesh brings over 19 years of experience in accounts management. He is well-versed in all accounts operations pertaining to an organisation. A fun-loving man with a keen interest in sports, music, and cinema.

Komal

Komal

Accounts Executive

Komal handles accounts and general operations for HRS, bringing five years of expertise to the company. Hobbies include cooking, music, gardening, and planting.

Reena

Reena

Social Media & Sales Executive

Reena manages social media and general sales operations for HRS. She is fond of music, dance, and keeping the community connected with what we do.

Ajay

Ajay

Service Executive

Ajay joined from Telecom, bringing six years of service experience. He is a jolly man who loves to accomplish service tasks with honour. A keen traveller, socialiser, and cricket lover.

Bhupender

Bhupender

Production Support

Bhupendera believes in 'Never say Never'. He is always ready to do whatever it takes to get the task done. His attitude defines his altitude. Professionally or personally, he is there for everyone.

Namgial

Namgial

Shop Assistant — Leh, Ladakh

Dedicated and hard-working, Namgial ensures that everyone who comes into the Leh store is served efficiently and well.

Sahil

Sahil

Service Assistant

Sahil is an all-rounder and expert in all types of service operations. Always jolly and happy to accomplish any assigned duty. Fond of cricket and socialising.

Lucky

Lucky

Store Executive

Lucky has six years of experience in handling and maintaining store operations. A positive resource with efficient skills in store management. Loves to travel and socialise.

Vinod

Vinod

Logistics & Support

Vinod drives stock and the support team wherever they need to be. Our all-rounder driver-cum-helping-hand in everything — and a great comedian.

Bittu

Bittu

Production Support

Bittu is a silent and serious team member who gives great technical support to our production and quality team.

Rohit

Rohit

Office Assistant

Rohit is our key member who looks after everyone. Always on his toes to get duties accomplished without hassle. Fond of cooking, gardening, and music.

Saneha

Saneha

Office Assistant

Saneha keeps the office running smoothly — scheduling, paperwork, and day-to-day coordination so the team can stay focused on customers and production.

Gurdev

Gurdev

Factory Assistant

Gurdev supports factory operations with hands-on help across the shop floor, materials movement, and whatever the production team needs to ship quality stoves on time.

Heera Lal

Heera Lal

Service Assistant

Heera Lal backs up the service team with field preparation, customer follow-up, and practical support so installations and after-sales care stay responsive.

Manmohan

Manmohan

House Keeper

Manmohan keeps our workspace clean, organised, and welcoming — looking after housekeeping, common areas, and the small details that make the office a better place to work.

Rigzin Angmo

Rigzin Angmo

Sales Executive

Rigzin Angmo works with customers on enquiries, model selection, and order follow-up — helping families and businesses find the right HRS solution with clarity and care.

Advisors & mentors

Keeping us focused on what matters.

Ajay Muttreja

Ajay Muttreja

Strategy Advisor & Mentor

  • National Startup Committee, FICCI
  • IvyCap Ventures Capital Advisors
  • Global Advisory Council, TTC
  • Confederation of Education Excellence
  • Indo-US Science & Technology Forum
  • Advisory Board INVENT
Chetana (Karen Wilson)

Chetana (Karen Wilson)

Co-Founder & Advisor

Chetana has a long connection with India and the Himalayas. She has been part of the rocket stove journey from the very beginning and oversaw the development of the project from the early days of prototyping in Australia. She brings project management and funding expertise to the core team.

Michael Collins

Michael Collins

Technical Expertise and Oversight

Michael has been a key advisor on various aspects of product development, assessment and testing protocols. He contributes structured critique through design reviews, helps define repeatable verification approaches for prototypes and production units, and supports alignment between laboratory-style benchmarks and what matters in the field — durability, operator safety, and reliable performance under Himalayan fuels and usage patterns.

What drives us

Solving problems

Working on deforestation, indoor smoke, heating fuel costs, black carbon, and more.

Innovative ideas

Bringing innovative ideas to the problems that need solving. Not all ideas are new — they just need the right application.

Appropriate technology

High tech is good for some situations, but a low-tech solution is often best when scaling to meet massive demand.

Clear communication

We aim to keep a clear line of communication between all stakeholders and interested parties.

Want to get in touch with the team?

We're a small, direct team. Message us on WhatsApp or drop an email — we respond to genuine enquiries.