IOR Board Elections

Nomination and Election of IOR President-Elect - next election 2025

Every two years a new President-Elect is voted in by the membership and appointed at the AGM. The role of the President-Elect is to join the Board of Trustees and support the work of the President until the end of the existing President’s term of office. 

Nomination and election process 2025 

In accordance with the IOR Constitution and Rules the Trustees must make a recommendation to the Membership for a candidate or candidates for the next President-elect.  This guide outlines the process and provides additional information for those considering taking on this important role. 

The role of the Nominating Committee

A Committee including Chairs of Committees, chaired by the current President, is responsible for identifying suitable candidates for President-Elect and advising the Board accordingly. Potential candidates are considered by the Committee based on the specification for the role and personal attributes which are summarised below. The brief from the Board to the Nominations Committee is that they identify at least two candidates, however it is not always possible to find more than one member willing to take on this role and in such a case only one candidate may be put forward.  The Board will advise the membership of President-Elect candidate(s) accordingly. If two or more suitable candidates have been identified, the Board calls an election for members to select the candidate that they feel is most suitable.

Summary role and person specification for President-Elect

• Commitment and availability to attend regular meetings in the UK (approx 25hrs per month) as well as representing the Institute at industry events in the UK and overseas.
• High profile and standing in the industry
• Extensive current and long term involvement in Institute activities
• Depth of technical knowledge in their own field
• Proven ability to chair industry meetings (ie working with volunteers)
• Wide range of existing contacts, broad knowledge of the sector and subsectors
• Ability to represent the Institute's interests to the press, government and other bodies
• Confidence in public speaking
• Good leadership, communication and interpersonal skills
• Impartiality, fairness and the ability to respect confidences
• Ability to ensure decisions are taken and followed-up
• A balanced and non-commercial approach
• Willingness to adhere to the IOR Trustee Code of Conduct
• Legally eligible to be a Trustee and not subject to disqualification under Charity law

The names and details of candidates are put to the Membership for consideration and voting if necessary before the AGM. 

Additional nominations

A member may put themselves forward as an Additional Candidate to be included in the list of names to be included in an election. Additional Candidates may be put forward at any time up to the specified closing date (two months before the AGM).  Anyone considering standing for this role must review the role profile below and be prepared to adhere to the IOR Trustee Code of Conduct.  Details of how to make a nomination are available below. Additional Candidates must use the IOR form and must submit a statement, photograph and signatures of 20 supporters.   The election for President-Elect will be held at least 28 days before the AGM in which Members, Associate Members, Technicians and Fellows are eligible to vote.

Following the results of the election, or if only one candidate is proposed and no elections are necessary, the President-Elect appointment will commence at the AGM.  The role of the President-Elect is to join the Board of Trustees and support the work of the President until the end of the existing President’s term of office in 12 months time at the next AGM.

Detailed role and responsibilities of President

The President holds the position of Chair of the IOR Board of Trustees who are Directors of the Charity. As such they have a strategic role to play in representing the vision and purpose of the organisation and the work of the Institute as well as leading the Board meetings. The Chair is legally responsible with the Board members for ensuring that the Institute functions properly, that there is adequate participation at meetings, all relevant matters are discussed and that effective decisions are made and carried out.

To ensure the Institute Board of Trustees functions properly the President shall:

• take part in, plan and run all Board of Trustee meetings in accordance with the Constitution
• ensure matters are dealt with in an orderly, efficient manner
• bring impartiality and objectivity to meetings and decision-making
• facilitate change and address conflict within the Board
• review governance performance and skills against terms of reference and strategic objectives

To ensure the Institute is managed effectively the President shall

• liaise with and support the Chief Executive and staff, as appropriate, to keep an overview of the activity of the Institute and the wider strategy of the Institute
• be involved in supporting the work of Chairs and Members of Committees as necessary
• co-ordinate the work of the Board to ensure responsibilities for particular activities are met and expertise is employed as required
• facilitate change and address conflict within the organisation and its activities, liaising with the staff to achieve this

Represent the Institute and Board

• To communicate effectively the vision and purpose of the Institute internally and to members and committees
• To represent the Institute at external meetings and events
• To be aware of current legislative issues that might affect the Institute or responsibilities of Trustees

Qualities and Skills Required

• Commitment and availability to attending regular meetings in the UK (approx 25hrs per month) including all four Board meetings, as well as representing the Institute at industry events in the UK and overseas
• High profile and standing in the industry
• Extensive current involvement in Institute activities
• Depth of technical knowledge in their own field
• Wide range of existing contacts, broad knowledge of the sector and subsectors
• Ability to represent the Institute interests to the press, government and other bodies.
• Proven ability to chair industry meetings (ie working with volunteers)
• Confidence in public speaking
• Good leadership, communication and interpersonal skills
• Impartiality, fairness and the ability to respect confidences
• Ability to ensure decisions are taken and followed-up
• A balanced and non-commercial approach
• Must be a Fellow, Member, Associate or Technician of the IOR with a long term commitment to the Institute

Time Commitment

• The role of Chair requires an estimated commitment of a minimum of 25 hrs a month and a willingness to travel within the UK and overseas eg to conferences, presenting papers etc. 
• The IOR Board of Trustees meets 4 times a year – three shorter online meetings and one full day open meeting with Committees. The President is expected to attend and Chair all four meetings and continues to attend Board meetings as Immediate Past President for two years after their term as President has concluded.
• The President attends the Finance Committee on line meetings usually held quarterly, Chaired by the Treasurer.
• The IOR President will give a Presidential Address including a written paper during their first year, opens the Annual Conference and gives a speech to members at the Annual Dinner whilst they are in office.  
• In addition the President may, if available, be invited to chair other IOR meetings, become a Director of ACRIB, chair the judging panel for the IOR RAC Student of the Year, attend ASHRAE winter meetings, IIR International Congress conferences and other industry events and meetings.

The President must

• Adhere to the IOR Trustee Code of Conduct
• Be legally eligible to be a Trustee and not subject to disqualification under Charity law https://www.gov.uk/guidance/automatic-disqualification-rule-changes-guidance-for-charities 

Nomination form for Additional Candidates for President-Elect  

Additional candidates for President-Elect can be nominated by the members using the form below. Please note that all 20 supporting members must sign the original form and this must be submitted as a single nomination including a statement and photo by the advertised deadline. Download the nomination form.

The Institute of Refrigeration is a registered charity governed by a Constitution and Rules, subject to the obligations of the Charities Act 2011. It is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation registered number 1166869.