About the Institute of Refrigeration

The Institute of Refrigeration (IOR) is an independent registered charity run for the public benefit with a membership of over 2200 individuals reflecting the diversity of the refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump sector. The Institute provides a central resource for people from all over the world to improve the application of refrigeration and allied fields for the general good of society with particular emphasis on environment, efficiency, safety and innovation.

Charitable objectives

• to provide a forum for all those involved professionally in refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump science and engineering.
• to promote the technical advancement of refrigeration in all its applications, in relation both to the perfection of its methods and the minimisation of its effects on the environment.
• to encourage the extension of refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump services for the benefit of the community.
• to promote means of communication for exchange of expertise and interchange of views, and to communicate knowledge of refrigeration and its communal benefits to the outside world.
• to encourage invention and research in all matters relating to the science and practice of refrigeration.

History and heritage

The Institute was founded in 1899 as the Cold Storage and Ice Association and was the first national society of mechanical refrigeration in the world. In 1944 qualified membership was introduced in order to raise the status of the association and of those engaged in the science and its practice, and the present name of the Institute of Refrigeration was adopted.

Governance

The IOR is registered with the Charity Commission as a Charitable Incorporated Association, an educational and scientific body (reg no 250 081 and 1166869). It is governed by an elected Board of Trustees, and has a permanent staff of five based in offices in Carshalton, Surrey.

• The IOR Constitution was reconfirmed with the Charity Commission on 3rd May 2016 (registered charitable incorporated organisation 1166869).
• Each year the IOR publishes a Trustees Annual Report and Accounts which is presented to members at an AGM.
• Trustees and President of the IOR are elected regularly by our members in accordance with the constitution.

• IOR activities are led by members volunteering in standing Committees and Working Groups. 

About our members

The Institute of Refrigeration has a Code of Conduct adopted by its membership and members are expected to order their conduct in accordance with this Code.  

Current Committees and Working Groups

• Board of Trustees (Executive Council) (Chairman - Kevin Glass FInstR)
• Finance Committee (Chairman - Nick Rivers FInstR)
• Membership Committee (Chairman - Rob Lamb FInstR)
• Technical Committee (Chairman - Andy Pearson FInstR)
• Papers and Publications Committee (Chairman - Colin Vines FInstR)
• International Refrigeration Committee (Chairman - Andy Pearson FInstR)
• Service Engineers Section Management Panel (Chairman - Gordon Adams FInstR)
• Education (Chairman - John Skelton FInstR)
• Sustainable Innovation in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning steering group (Chairman - Graeme Maidment FInstR)
• Trailblazer Employers Group (Chairman - John Austin-Davies FInstR)

Procedure for joining Committees

Each Committee shall be appointed or disbanded by the Trustees of the Institute of Refrigeration and is responsible to the Council for carrying out of activities and duties within their stated terms of reference.

1. Committees shall operate to written terms of reference, agreed by the Council. The terms of reference should include but not be limited to: objectives; recommended composition of the Committee; frequency of Meetings and quorum; standing agenda items; specific activities this group is responsible for;  financial responsibilities and delegated decision making authority.

2. The terms of reference must be reviewed annually by the committee and changes referred to Council for approval.

3. The Chairman of the Committee is appointed by the Council on recommendation of the Committee. The person holding the role of Chairman shall be reviewed every three years and may be reappointed. The Chairman must be a member of the Institute (any grade).

4. The role of the Chairman is:

• To chair Committee meetings, review minutes and progress actions.
• To report items of strategic importance to the Council
• To represent the work of the Committee to members
• To liaise with the secretariat on actions

5. Election of Members to Committees.  The membership of each Committee should represent the skills and interests necessary to carry out their work effectively. Membership should be reviewed annually.  Where a vacancy occurs or additional skills set is required the committee may seek additional members by advertising on the website/enews/newsletter. Members wishing to stand for a Committee should submit a brief cv and statement prior to the meeting at which nominations will be reviewed. Appointments should be made by approval of 2/3rds of the Committee members present at the meeting and endorsed by the Chairman.

6. Vacancies on Committees. A list of vacancies will be available on the IOR website members area. Members wishing to stand for a Committee should submit a brief CV and statement prior to the meeting at which nominations will be reviewed to the Secretary.

7. Committee members should normally be members of the Institute of Refrigeration (any grade), but non members may be accepted on an ex officio basis to fill an appropriate vacancy and represent suitable interests or external organisations.

8. Length of service of Committee members. Committee members should be rotated regularly with at least two new members joining each year, and two, usually the longest standing members, standing down. A member who does not able to attend meetings regularly or provide any input to a Committee for three consecutive meetings shall be deemed to have given up their seat on the committee.

9. Corresponding members may be appointed at the discretion of the Chairman if attendance at meetings is not possible.

Committee FAQs

Want to know more about the role and workings of IOR Committees? Download our FAQ sheet.