SPECIAL FOCUS NEWS People on the move


IOR creates Education Outreach Manager role


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he Institute of Refrigeration has appointed Matt Harvey as Education Outreach Manager, a new role designed to support its education


strategy and strengthen skills development across the refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump sector. Harvey will work directly with colleges, employers and education bodies to understand workforce needs, raise awareness of career opportunities, and help address skills gaps. His remit includes mapping training requirements, building partnerships with STEM organisations and careers advisors, contributing to a review of apprenticeship pathways, and identifying opportunities to expand and fund new initiatives. On taking up the position, Harvey said he is looking


forward to engaging with the industry, understanding the challenges and supporting the development of the future workforce. Miriam Rodway, Chief Executive of the IOR, described the appointment as a visible and practical step in building relationships, gathering information and meeting members to discuss how the Institute can help address skills issues.


Leadership change at Lawton Tubes


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awton Tubes has appointed


Michael Brown as its new Board Chairman. Brown also joins the


business as a Non-Executive Director, bringing more than 15 years of leadership experience from Dormole Group, which operates wholesale companies in the fasteners, fi xings, hand tools and power tools accessories markets, including a three-and-a-half-year tenure as CEO of Galleon Fixings. He succeeds Rolf Herold, who


Harvey brings more than two decades of experience in employer engagement, education outreach and national skills development. His career has focused on connecting industry, education and communities to tackle shortages in technical sectors, particularly construction, and he has worked extensively on partnerships, policy infl uence and programmes that open STEM careers and apprenticeships to wider audiences.


oversaw a decade of expansion that saw Lawton Tubes grow annual turnover to £230 million, build a 140-strong workforce across Coventry, Redditch and Poole, and extend sales to 42 countries. During Herold’s tenure, the company also secured two prestigious awards for international trade growth with export sales now standing at £26 million.


Conex Bänninger appoints Pieroni as Regional Technical Sales Manager


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onex Bänninger has strengthened its northern operations with the appointment of Antony Pieroni as Regional Technical Sales Manager (North). In this role, Pieroni will focus on driving growth and enhancing support across the north. He joins the business from Grohe, where he served as


Area Sales Manager for the North East. With extensive sales expertise and previous experience as a branch manager for a plumbers’ merchants, Pieroni brings valuable insight into both sides of the trade counter. Commenting on his appointment, Pieroni said he was delighted to join Conex Bänninger, a global leader recognised for quality and technical expertise. He emphasised the importance of building strong relationships with merchants and customers, highlighting honesty and reliability as key to success.


Bitzer UK appoints Scott Elmer as Sales Manager


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itzer UK has appointed Scott Elmer as Sales Manager to support the growth of its condensing unit


business. In this role, Elmer provides technical and commercial assistance to contractors, distributors, and end users regarding product selection and system applications.


Elmer enters the refrigeration industry


with over two decades of commercial experience, primarily within the diesel generator sector. His professional background encompasses regional sales, business development, and general management, where he previously held responsibility for operational oversight and fi nancial forecasting.


Since joining the company, Elmer has focused on transitioning his technical expertise from power generation to cooling


technology. He now serves as a dedicated specialist for Bitzer’s condensing unit range, assisting clients with specifi c project requirements and application needs.


The appointment aligns with Bitzer UK’s


strategy to strengthen its market presence through 2025. Elmer is tasked with providing direct support to installers and consultants nationwide as the company expands its reach in the UK cooling sector. Regarding his new position, Elmer noted that while the transition to refrigeration involves a signifi cant learning curve, he is focused on expanding his product knowledge to help customers identify appropriate solutions for their projects.


38 January 2026 • www.acr-news.com


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