RACHP Engineering Technician Lifetime Achievement Award

Download the Nomination Form

Deadline for nomination: 15th November.  

The IOR RACHP Engineering Technicians' Section makes an annual lifetime achievement award to recognise an individual's commitment to a career in service, maintenance or installation engineering. This award prize is kindly donated by the ACR Journal.

The Technician Award celebrates the role of experienced field-based technicians - the mainstay of our industry. The winner receives a prize of £400, an engraved trophy and a certificate, presented by the President of the Institute at the Annual Dinner. 

• Nominations can be made by employers, clients or colleagues.

• Candidates can be working in any refrigeration, air conditioning or heat pump role in a field-based service, maintenance or installation role.

• They must have substantial experience in a technician-level role and still be active in the industry.

• Shortlisted candidates will be required to take part in a phone interview to discuss their experience.

• Winners will be invited to attend the Institute of Refrigeration Annual Dinner to collect their award.

• Download the award criteria and rules
• Download the nomination form

2022 Winner

Andrew Christie of J&E Hall Cardiff

Andrew started life as an apprentice over 40 years ago, and now mentors many younger engineers, passing on not just his experience but also his work ethic to help develop future engineers.  His employer says “He's always the first on-site and the last to leave, never leaving a job unfinished.  He is always committed to ensuring a first-time fix”. Working on the tools has been and continues to be a vocation for Andrew. His commitment to lifelong learning has ensured that he has not only moved with the change of technologies but remains an expert in his chosen field. 

Judges who interviewed him remarked “this is an individual who embraces a challenge. He has stepped up to the monumental technological, environmental and regulatory changes he has faced over 40 years in the industry and even welcomed them. His commitment to learning and improving his knowledge is exemplary, and even though his employer describes him as the “go to” person for technical advice he is still willing to learn more.“ No two days are the same”, he said and “you never know it all.”

Previous Winners

• 2021 John Broughton of Danfoss and Andy Murrell of Star Refrigeration
• 2020 Kevin Gregory of Kinlochs and Son
• 2019 Paul Gardner, JPS Refrigeration 
• 2018 Joseph Birch, SJJ System Services
• 2017 Keith Simmons, Flowrite Services
• 2016 Grayme Selkirk, Tesco and Martyn Ross, J&E Hall
• 2015 Roy Dearden, Kool-it Services
• 2014 Ian Sullivan, Ian Sullivan Air Conditioning 
• 2013 John Webb, J&E Hall 
• 2012 John Bond, Space Engineering
• 2011 Keith Gorman, Coldtech Refrigeration
• 2010 Charlie Darling, Adcock Refrigeration and Air Conditioning 
• 2009 David Wright, MacWhirter 
• 2008 Robert Taylor, Star Refrigeration
• 2007 Alan Stoll, Star Refrigeration
• 2006 David Luker
• 2005 George Hayes, Star Refrigeration 
• 2004 Ron Filer, Bitzer Uk
• 2003 Keith Lukehurst, York Refrigeration 
• 2002 Les Collett