UK News

UK: The Heat Pump Association UK has called on the government to provide clear direction, aligned incentives, and sustained practical support to accelerate the deployment of heat pumps.

UK: Daikin Rental Solutions has expanded its UK rental fleet with higher-capacity screw chillers, a broader range of scroll heat pumps, new dry air coolers and purpose-built AHUs.

UK: Richard Parr has been appointed managing director of commercial refrigeration and air conditioning specialist Ryan-Jayberg. He replaces Colin Green, who becomes the company’s vice chairman.

UK: The Swedish contractor group Nordic Climate has acquired Doncaster-based coldstore installation company Iceline Yorkshire Ltd.

UK: Rikki Field, an engineer with London-based contractor Salix Mechanical, is set to run the London Marathon with a Panasonic Etherea heat pump on his back.

UK: Hubbard Systems, the Ipswich-based distributor of commercial foodservice equipment, has added products from New Zealand manufacturer Skope Refrigeration to its portfolio. 

UK: Ben Hancock, former southern divisional manager at Kooltech, has been appointed sales director at TF Solutions, the refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump wholesaler.

UK: Star Refrigeration created a stir today, April 1, with the announcement of the launch of StarCore, the world’s first AI-powered robot maintenance engineer. 

UK: REFCOM, the F-gas certification body, has launched a new partnership with Welplan to help members with employee recruitment and retention.

UK: Haier HVAC Solutions is to sponsor Warwickshire County Cricket Club, the air conditioning and heat pump manufacturer becoming the club’s lead partner from the 2026 season. 

UK: Linda McVittie, technical applications manager for J & E Hall, retires today after nearly 40 years in the refrigeration industry.

UK: The IOR Northern Region’s annual dinner returns to the Hilton Newcastle Gateshead in September. 

UK: Star Refrigeration was named Supplier of the Year 2026 at last week’s Cold Chain Sustainability Awards, recognising its work across the temperature-controlled logistics sector.

UK: The Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) has described the UK government’s decision to ban retentions in construction contracts as a “landmark and long-awaited victory” for specialist contractors.

UK: The government has opened a consultation on its plans to merge construction and engineering boards to simplify the skills system and strengthen industry leadership.

UK: The Cold Chain Federation has launched the UK’s first transport refrigeration unit census to evidence sector progress on decarbonisation.

UK: British businesses are advised to engage proactively with suppliers and stay informed of availability in the face of rising refrigerant price rises and supply issues.

UK: Bookings are now being taken for the Institute of Refrigeration Scottish Dinner 2026, which returns to the Crowne Plaza Glasgow on Thursday 5 November.

UK: Eco-tech company Hive has announced a new partnership with Daikin through its Works With Hive programme, significantly expanding smart control compatibility with air-source heat pumps.

UK: Carrier has made a strategic investment in Heat Geek, the UK-based technology platform and network of heat pump engineers.

UK: The Building Controls Industry Association (BCIA) has appointed Jen Vickers of Crown House Technologies as its new president.