During her speech at the IOR Dinner on 27 February, IOR President Lisa-Jayne Cook FInstR reflected on the IOR’s 125-year legacy of innovation, collaboration, and dedication. She highlighted current projects and achievements while also looking to the future of the industry, emphasising emerging leaders and upcoming initiatives.

Speech from Lisa-Jayne Cook FInstR, President

125 Years of Progress & Purpose

Since 1899, the IOR has stood at the heart of the refrigeration, air conditioning, and heat pump industry. The IOR has supported engineers, businesses, and students, and helped shape an industry that touches every part of modern life. 

You, the members, are the reason we have reached this landmark year.  Your knowledge, your expertise, and your willingness to support one another make this organisation what it is today. So tonight, I want to take a moment to acknowledge all those who give their time to the IOR as volunteers. You are the backbone of the Institute. You ensure we remain at the forefront of technical excellence, training, and professional development.

Just over the past year, this small group of volunteers have delivered an impressive 34 talks and events, reaching over 3,700 industry professionals on topics such as pressure enthalpy, food transport, and energy efficiency.  They have produced a total of 29 Publications and Bulletins, which have been downloaded more than 8,400 times.  Meanwhile, IOR STEM Ambassadors have led over 65 workshops, inspiring more than 2,000 primary school children with hands-on learning experiences.

We are incredibly proud of Luke Haile, who won a Silver Medal at WorldSkills —a phenomenal achievement that puts our industry on the world stage. And let’s not forget this year’s Student winners—the rising stars of our sector who prove that the next generation is more than ready to take on the challenges of tomorrow.

Over the past year, the IOR has made significant strides on all fronts with thanks to the hard-working community that its membership so proudly boasts.  At the IOR annual meeting of committees in November, members were emphatic that Education and Skills must be the main focus of its work for the next few years.  The Institute’s strategic priorities for 2025-2027 reflect this, ensuring that the IOR continues to drive the industry forward by investing in people, knowledge, and professional excellence.

We know that the challenges ahead—whether in sustainability, digitalisation, or policy—demand a skilled and adaptable workforce.  That’s why we are committed to elevating the IOR’s position as a leader in education, from apprenticeships to lifelong learning. Our industry thrives when we invest in people, and we must continue to create opportunities for engineers at every stage of their careers to grow, innovate, and lead.”

As we look ahead, we must remember that the success of the IOR—and of our industry as a whole—depends on all of us.  The engineers, the business leaders, the students, the mentors, the educators, the volunteers.  Every single person in this room plays a part in shaping what comes next. So, whether you are a long-standing member or new to the IOR, I encourage you to get involved.  Join a committee, mentor a young engineer, take part in one of our initiatives, or simply spread the word about the importance of what we do. Together, we are stronger.  Together, we will continue to lead, innovate, and inspire.

The IOR Annual Dinner took place on 27th February 2025 at the Hilton London Bankside, a new venue clearly popular with members as the number participating this year has increased. Details of the 2026 IOR Annual Dinner will be announced shortly here.