IOR President-Elect Nominees

The IOR Board of Trustees has proposed two candidates for the post of President-Elect for members to select from:

• Mike Creamer, Fellow
• Graeme Fox, Fellow

Voting will open on 1st October and will include the two nominees above and any additional nominations made by members. Voting members (Members, Associates, Technicians and Fellows) will be able to see a list of all candidates and will be sent instructions on how to cast their vote by email on 1st October.  Voting will close on 30th October at midday and the results will be announced by the President Kevin Glass at the AGM on 6th November. 

Mike Creamer Fellow

I’ve enjoyed my membership of the IOR for many years, recognising its fine work and excellent contribution to our industry and I feel very honoured in being considered for this crucially important role.

Although I now have a few grey hairs, my boyish enthusiasm for AC&R technology, machines and applications within our industry remains as strong as ever. I’ve also had the pleasure of working with hundreds of great industry people and engineers for over 40 years.

I am also fortunate to have won a few awards in recognition of my efforts to improve the efficiency and reliability of numerous systems, whilst providing others with the tools and knowledge to do so.

I’ve endeavoured to pass on practical and useful knowledge to engineers via my 15-year Masterclass-Air Conditioning Technology Series and many technical articles and we’ve seen thousands of engineers trained and certified through my company. Even so, there is still much to do, learn and pass on, especially with so many new industry changes and challenges.

Condensed Career History

My career posts include Toolmaker, Design Draughtsman and Mechanical Design Engineer, (drives, gears, cams, pneumatic systems). Then Chief Applications Engineer, Marketing Manager, Sales Director, Compressor Quality Director and Managing Director.

I’ve designed and developed automated production machinery, chemical dehumidification systems achieving -60°C dewpoint, control systems, selection software, variable speed refrigeration systems, calculation software and various air conditioning / refrigeration systems.

My daily work keeps me heavily occupied in Design / R&D and a good deal of time is field-based, working on water chillers, refrigeration systems, process cooling, sea-going equipment and large cooling systems in Nuclear Power Stations.

A real passion of mine is the critical need to reduce wasteful energy consumption and CO2 emissions. My field performance analysis work regularly shows me the huge air conditioning power consumption within buildings and how as much as 30% can be saved by eliminating inefficiency via simple adjustments. Increasing awareness of this environmental opportunity would be one of my objectives as IOR President.

As further evidence of my quest to reduce energy consumption, particularly within large cooling systems, I set about the development in 2013 of a variable speed oil-free centrifugal compressor, achieving very high COP and nearly 40% reduction in power consumption. The unique hybrid non-magnetic bearings allow this machine to run quietly at 49,000rpm with virtually no vibration. Perhaps it will reach the World someday! 

IOR - President Elect

If I were ultimately elected President of the IOR, I would aim to achieve tangible and worthwhile benefits for the AC&R industry, end-users and the IOR. The need for reduced energy consumption and emissions and the enhancement of engineering skills across the industry, in particular the elevation of young people, into this wonderful industry, would be my focus.

I would also aim to positively influence the relevant Government Departments by creating stronger awareness of both the need and the means of reducing the UK’s energy consumption.

Graeme Fox  Fellow   

Before taking up my present role at the BESA in November 2016, I ran my own contracting business for more than 25 years, mainly in building services air conditioning heat pump systems design and build, but also smaller refrigeration installations and maintenance. During that time I worked on a variety of systems from single split AC, through VRF/VRV to commercial refrigeration systems. I have a good overall understanding of the contracting sector’s particular problems and outlook.

Prior to that I was trained as a refrigeration engineer by my father starting out on small walk-in cold rooms and freezers, maintenance and then installation of evaporative condensers, and occasional air conditioning systems.

I have spent more than 15 years representing the BESA at AREA – the European RAC contractors’ association - including 4 years as President from 2010 to 2014, developing a network of contacts across the UK, Europe and beyond which comprises contractors, manufacturers, civil servants and politicans.

I am currently acting as the EU partner developing global minimum competency criteria for RACHP technicians in Article 5 countries on a UNEP project titled the Refrigerant Drivers’ Licence, and have been involved in developing training materials for delivery across Article 5 nations. I kick started this project in January 2014 when discussing concerns about flammable refrigerant being widely rolled out across the developing world before they have had the opportunity to develop and implement safe standards of work. This project is now at a pilot stage where we have started training the trainers in six UN Article 5 nations who signed up to the pilot programme.

I have developed a good understanding of the working and governance of trade/industry associations that will help with the proposed role at the IOR, including becoming more involved with the IOR itself more recently - being elected to the Board of Trustees last year.

The next period of office covers a highly challenging period which our sector will face in terms of the accelerating phase down of HFCs, increasing use of alternative refrigerants in mainstream use, and service and use bans of several refrigerants. My experience with the F-Gas regulation development, implementation and review process brings crucial insight into the implications, particularly for end users and contractors – giving the Institute a fresh angle to approach the issues from.

My current work role as Head of the REFCOM schemes involves a considerable amount of interaction with people from all levels of the sector and has given me a unique insight to the wider industry’s requirements longer term which I believe I can bring to the IOR to help the Institute interact on a wider scale as we look to raise awareness of our sector to the wider world and attract more engineers to our sector.