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

John Smith is BRA president

BRA-Presidents-handover-2016
John Smith (left) takes over from Mike Lawrence as BRA president

UK: John Smith, Beijer Ref UK & Ireland’s group technical director, has taken over the role of president of the British Refrigeration Association.

John succeeds Mike Lawrence – a stalwart of the BRA – who has held the position since 2014. A handover took place at a recent FETA Strategy Forum in Marlow.

John has been in the RAC industry for over 30 years in a variety of technical sales roles, and has been an active member within the BRA.  He is currently chairman of the Equipment and Components section, and has been vice president since 2015.

fujitsu_gif_v1.8
Advertisement

Taking up his new role, John Smith said: “I would like to pay tribute to the sterling work Mike has done for the BRA in his time as president, and I look forward to taking on the role in what will be challenging times for our industry.”

The British Refrigeration Association is the only UK trade association representing manufacturers, importers, wholesalers, distributors, contractors, specifiers and end-users of refrigeration plant, equipment and components.

Latest News

22nd June 2026

Green group calls for end to subsidies for EVs using R1234yf

GERMANY: The influential German environmental aid association Deutsche Umwelthilfe (DUH) is calling on the German government to end subsidies for electric cars with R1234yf refrigerants in their AC systems.
22nd June 2026

Daikin agrees $8.5m penalty over hazardous PTAC

USA: Daikin has agreed to pay an $8.5m civil penalty for failing to immediately report that one of its US-made Amana packaged terminal air conditioners could overheat.
21st June 2026

Korea project to improve refrigerant management

KOREA: The Korean Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment and the Korea Environmental Industry & Technology Institute has announced an initiative to improve the country's HFC refrigerant management.
21st June 2026

Ammonia leak kills 7 and sends 70 to hospital

INDIA: Seven people are reported to have died and over 70 hospitalised following an ammonia gas leak at a seafood factory in Tamil Nadu.
20th June 2026

Year-long trial proves electric TRU reliability

UK: Following a year-long trial of Sunswap’s Endurance solar and battery-powered transport refrigeration unit by the TIP Group, the trailer and truck hire company has recorded a 100% uptime.
19th June 2026

Daikin Applied builds new $30m US training centre

USA: Daikin Applied has broken ground on a new $30m training facility in Plymouth, Minnesota.