Voting is now open for the IOR Board of Trustees Elections. This year we have three nominations for the two vacancies:

·         Craig Girdlestone FInstR

·         Christopher Griffiths MInstR

·         Amy Richardson MInstR

The election statements for the candidates are shown below.

Members entitled to vote (Member, Fellow, Associate, Technician grades) should have received an email and voting code from mi-voice the company which runs the election.  If you haven’t received your code or have any queries please contact mi-voice +44 (0)23 8076 3987 or email support@mi-voice.com.

Voting will close at noon on 29th  October 2024 and the results of the ballot will be announced at the AGM.

Craig Girdlestone FInstR

I have been a part of the Institute of Refrigeration for over 20 years. I began my path within the IOR as a part of the original Service Engineers Section. The Institute of Refrigeration is of paramount importance to the RACHP Industry, and I am known as one of the most passionate advocates for growing the Membership and striving to uphold the standing of the IOR within the RACHP Community. My Refrigeration career spanning over 30 years began as a young Naval Engineer and has culminated with the privilege of being recognised as being at the forefront of perishable product refrigeration. I am an active Member of the IOR and a representative on the Hampshire Refrigeration Society (HRS). I feel that if I was nominated as a Trustee within the IOR, I could support the IOR with ensuring its compliance with the statutory obligations of the Charity and to assist in our future development plans, based upon my extensive expertise, knowledge and skillset. The IOR is forever evolving to meet the future changes & challenges that the industry faces, and I believe that I can bring a stable voice and guidance to meet the changes and yet still retain the values that have made the IOR the success that it is. 

Christopher Griffiths MInstR

I am a time-served engineer, working on the tools in various service and maintenance roles before moving into design, management and now consulting. Throughout my career I have been passionate about promoting the cooling industry, taking every opportunity I can to help train and teach, whether that be apprentices or students at university level, acting as an associate lecturer. I have been part of the Institute of Refrigeration for ten years now, joining as an Affiliate member before gaining full Member status in 2019, with the benefits and resources made available through membership proving essential throughout my career. I believe the IoR is the leading organisation for driving improving standards and advising on legislative changes for refrigeration and cooling, and I would very much like to play a role in shaping the future of the industry. My current role provides me access to a wide array of UK retailer end-users, where refrigeration is consistently at the forefront of their engineering agendas with the phasedown of high-GWP refrigerants and the wider social focus on environmental concerns. If elected as a Trustee of the IoR, it would offer me the opportunity to act as an ambassador for the industry and help drive the organisation in a direction that continues to help engineers and end-users at all levels. I would look to ensure the technical library is kept up to date with revised documents which offer engineers the unbiased and technical insights that the IoR is able to offer as a non-commercial organisation. 

Amy Jade Richardson MInstR

I am enthusiastic about the opportunity to contribute to the IOR Board of Trustees and our industry. I bring with me a wealth of experience, along with an interest in innovation and how we can become more sustainable on the journey to net zero. I am passionate about encouraging women to the industry, and have a genuine desire to make a real difference. I believe I am well suited to contribute meaningfully to the  Board’s mission and objectives. My commitment to professional development is evidenced by the active involvement in the IOR Women in RACHP committee and WES (Women’s Engineering Society) where I engage with my peers and have participated in initiatives including the recent cold store training day.  I am undertaking the STEMAZING programme this year, a fantastic opportunity to introduce our industry to a new audience and to share my enthusiasm for engineering. My background includes hands-on experience starting as a Refrigeration Engineer within the marine sector, working on industrial systems through to my current role in the design and application of air-to-air heat pumps, VRF systems and refrigeration in commercial and industrial settings.  I believe this technical foundation allows me to offer valuable insights and practical solutions to complex challenges that I face in my day role. I am excited about the possibility of contributing to the strategic direction of our industry and collaborating with fellow Board members to drive forward real progress.  Thank you for considering my application.