World News

Industry news and insights from Europe and around the World

UK News

Latest news and developments in the United Kingdom

Products

Keep up-to-date with the latest new products and technology

Features

General articles, applications and industry analysis

Hannaby completes CB Refrigeration buy-out

Tom Hannaby (front) now leading the business with support from Jason Beament

UK: Tom Hannaby has completed the “seven figure” management buy-out of Caerphilly-based contractor CB Refrigeration. 

Having joined the business just four years ago, Tom Hannaby will work alongside directors Jason Beament, Andrew Hall and Simon Beament as managing director and majority shareholder. 

Founded in 1968 as a small family business, CB Refrigeration initially supplied and serviced commercial refrigeration equipment. Directors Jason Beament, Andrew Hall and Simon Beament acquired CB Refrigeration in 2016 and have since developed the business alongside their electrical installation company, Ayjay Group. Together, they now provide a full refrigeration and air-conditioning turn-key solution.

With continued growth since 2016, CB Refrigeration now specialises in the design, installation and maintenance of bespoke refrigeration solutions for a diverse range of sectors across the UK. 

These include retail, hospitality, industrial and pharmaceutical. As managing director, Tom Hannaby will lead the team of 20 staff to deliver further growth. 

Hannaby cut his refrigeration teeth at SK Heating & Cooling, spending nine years at the Gloucester-based company, latterly as service manager. He spent three years as operations manager at Flowrite Services, before joining CB Refrigeration in the same role in 2016. 

“From day one of joining the business, I have worked closely with the directors to make the right investments to deliver our long-term goals. We’ve remained focussed on delivering our growth strategy and sourced the expert help of an excellent advisory team to ensure that we had the right support and headroom to grow,” Hannaby said.

CB Refrigeration group director Jason Beament confirmed the Hannaby had played a key role in transforming the organisation over the last four years, introducing new ideas and efficiencies that had improved performance and market share. 

“With the help of our advisors we’ve been able to develop and deliver an exit strategy that ensures absolute continuity for our staff and customers. Our ongoing support as directors means that we will continue to work closely with Tom and the new management team as they prepare for the next phase of growth,” Beament said. 

Funding for buy-out was provided by the Development Bank of Wales with specialist succession planning support provided by Mervyn Ham of Iridium Corporate Services. 

Latest News

22nd April 2026

German TV exposes illegal refrigerant trade

GERMANY: The continuing black market in illegal refrigerants In Europe has been exposed in a new documentary by the German independent broadcaster Deutsche Welle (DW).
22nd April 2026

Free heat pump monitoring portal for installers

UK: Passiv UK has unveiled a web-based monitoring portal that enables heat pump installers to remotely track and optimise all their installations from a single dashboard. 
22nd April 2026

EU plans will boost heat pump sales

EUROPE: Boosting heat pump sales to four million per year by 2030 and tackling electricity to gas price ratios are two of the goals of Europe's AccelerateEU energy plan.
22nd April 2026

ODS emissions threaten ozone layer recovery

SWITZERLAND/UK: An increase in feedstock emissions of ozone depleting gases are said to be threatening the recovery of the ozone layer. 
22nd April 2026

Artus Air supports British Land’s sustainable HQ

UK: Ninety-five Artus Air hybrid fan coil units are being installed at British Land’s new London head office at 20 Triton Street, Regent’s Place.
21st April 2026

Midea ceiling-mounted inverter AHU

USA: Midea is promoting its inverter-driven Pancake AHU as an easy to install ceiling-mounted ducted solution for a wide range of climates, including cold-weather conditions.