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

IoR women’s group appoints co-chairs

Astrid Prado (left) and Samantha Buckell are taking on the role of co-chairs of the IoR’s Women in RACHP Network

UK: Astrid Prado of Star Refrigeration and Samantha Buckell of Bitzer UK have been appointed as co-chairs of the Institute of Refrigeration’s Women in RACHP Network (WiRACHP).

They succeed Lisa-Jayne Cook, who stepped down to take on the role of IoR president.

Astrid Prado is Star Refrigeration’s head of marketing, having joined the Glasgow-based company in 2005. Samantha Buckell joined Bitzer UK in 2016 as personal assistant to managing director Kevin Glass.

Both new co-chairs have stated their commitment to advancing the network’s mission including organising events that enhance delegates’ practical skills and support personal development. 

They plan to continue producing the network’s award-winning podcast The States of Matter, offering regular episodes that address topics relevant to women and the broader RACHP industry. The WiRACHP’s newly created blog will also feature in the network’s forthcoming plans, offering more articles on the sector’s topical issues and showcasing a variety of guest bloggers from the RACHP industry.

Latest News

19th January 2026

Kigali centre is officially F-gas registered

UK: The Kigali-based Africa Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Cooling and Cold Chain Systems (ACES) has been registered as a UK recognised training facility on The F-Gas Register.
19th January 2026

Beanland takes consultancy role at HPA UK

UK: Bean Beanland, the director for growth and external affairs at the Heat Pump Federation has taken a consultative role at the Heat Pump Association UK, the new unified trade…
18th January 2026

TrainME tool offers training pathway

UK: Mitsubishi Electric has launched TrainME, a new digital tool designed to provide installers, plumbers and engineers with a clear, structured pathway to becoming a professional heat pump installer.
18th January 2026

Trane unveils HT heat pump

BELGIUM: Trane has produced a high temperature version of its RTWF water-to-water heat pump to deliver hot water temperatures up to 105°C.  The RTWF HT is built on Trane’s XStream…
17th January 2026

MHI extends KXZ3 VRF series

JAPAN: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries has expanded its KXZ3 series of R32 VRF air conditioners up to 201kW. To complement the existing three 22.4kW, 28kW and 33.5kW models, a total of…
17th January 2026

Copeland celebrates first Indian scrolls

INDIA: US compressor manufacturer Copeland has completed the first phase of a $55m investment at its Atit, India, manufacturing facility.