Welcome to this episode of the States of Matter podcast, where hosts Lisa Jane Cook and Amy Richardson dive into the dynamic world of cooling and heating. This month, they are joined by Lizzie Dunlop, a key account manager at Danfoss, known for her energetic approach, technical expertise, and passion for inclusivity.

Together, they explore Lizzie's career path, from her unexpected entry into the industry to becoming an advocate for diversity. Lizzie shares her experiences working with global customers, the skill set needed to excel in a rapidly evolving sector, and her role in encouraging inclusion and professional growth.

Tune in to hear inspiring stories, insights into the HVAC industry, and the importance of community and collaboration among peers.

In this special World Refrigeration Day episode of the WiRACHP States of Matter podcast, we bring you an inspiring panel discussion recorded live at the Installer Show. Featuring the CoolSkills Women in HVAC Panel, this conversation dives deep into the experiences, challenges, and triumphs of women in the engineering and refrigeration sectors.

Chaired by Jess Shanahan, the panel includes accomplished IOR members Lizzie Dunlop, Chloe Jennings, and Margaret Rafter, alongside the highly respected Ruth Gill. These remarkable women share their personal journeys into engineering, how they’ve built their careers in a sector where women remain underrepresented, and the importance of mentorship, community, and allyship in creating more inclusive workplaces.

From early career choices to the role of social media and the urgent need for industry-wide support, this discussion sheds light on what it truly takes to break barriers and thrive in HVAC and beyond. Whether you’re an aspiring engineer or a seasoned pro, this episode is packed with insight, inspiration, and practical advice for anyone looking to create a more diverse and dynamic future in engineering.

This panel discussion was recorded on World Refrigeration Day at the Installer Show. The WiRACHP Network extends its thanks to the Installer Show for kindly granting permission to share this recording.

Additional information

For more information about the Institute of Refrigeration and the Women in RACHP Network visit https://ior.org.uk/women-in-rach

This episode explores the inspiring career journey of Denise Gladding, HR and Executive Support Manager at Lightfoot Defence. The discussion delves into Denise's transition from street lighting design to her strategic HR role.

Denise shares insights on balancing work and family life, overcoming challenges in a technical industry, and creating a supportive workplace. The conversation highlights the significance of adaptability, inclusivity, and continuous learning in building successful careers.

Listeners are invited to explore the supportive ecosystem for women in refrigeration and understand the evolving dynamics of HR in accommodating flexible work environments. Tune in for an engaging conversation on personal growth and professional empowerment.

Additional information

For more information about the Institute of Refrigeration and the Women in RACHP Network visit https://ior.org.uk/women-in-rach

This month we celebrate the power of community and the support the Women in RACHP Network offers to those involved. We hear from the four women who have guided the network as its chairs since it launched and how the group has offered a sense of community, helped members grow their careers, and how a good deed can leave you feeling mortified.

Additional information

For more information about the Institute of Refrigeration and the Women in RACHP Network visit https://ior.org.uk/women-in-rachp

Looking for advice on careers or becoming a STEM Ambassador RACHP visit https://ior.org.uk/careers

Starting a business is stressful. Now imagine starting a business when you’ve just had a baby. When Carley Fountain and her husband were faced with this situation, they thought “how hard can it be” and threw themselves into the challenge. Well, ten years later they have a thriving family business and have achieved a healthy and happy work-life balance. Carley has also decided that it is time to give back and help encourage the next generation of engineers by becoming a STEM ambassador and active member of the IOR’s Women in RACHP Group. We’re not sure when she sleeps!

Additional information

For more information about the Institute of Refrigeration and the Women in RACHP Network visit https://ior.org.uk/women-in-rachp

Looking for advice on careers or becoming a STEM Ambassador RACHP visit https://ior.org.uk/careers

"Never shy away from any task and throw yourself in the deep end!” This is how Claryhs Radford lives her life and this belief has pushed her to leave a career in bar management to become a Project Sales Engineer with a passion for her job and an obsession with air conditioning. Claryhs is a fantastic example of what happens when you have the self-belief to chase your dreams and take the opportunities offered to you, no matter how daunting they may seem.

Additional information

For more information about the Institute of Refrigeration and the Women in RACHP Network visit https://ior.org.uk/women-in-rachp

Looking for advice on careers or becoming a STEM Ambassador RACHP visit https://ior.org.uk/careers

According to this month's guest Caitlin Earle, if you want a job that's fun and interesting, engineering might be the perfect career for you. A talented project engineer, Caitlin describes what working in project management is like, and why, she believes supportive companies are vital to developing the next generation of RACHP professionals. She also explains how chatting with your neighbours can lead to unexpected opportunities and why you should always check the postcode!

Additional information

For more information about the Institute of Refrigeration and the Women in RACHP Network visit https://ior.org.uk/women-in-rachp

Looking for advice on careers or becoming a STEM Ambassador RACHP visit https://ior.org.uk/careers

In this episode we have a shared episode with the IOR’s Tip of the Iceberg podcast. Miriam Rodway talks to a student doing work experience at the IOR discussing how their views - and those of their friends - have changed about the sector and careers now they know more about refrigeration air conditioning and heat pumps. We talked about what kind of career advice young people receive in schools, what they think of engineering and what we can do to raise awareness of this sector. If you are unsure whether you should take on a student for a week's work experience, we hope this podcast will help convince you of how much value they can add!

Additional information

For more information about the Institute of Refrigeration and the Women in RACHP Network visit https://ior.org.uk/women-in-rachp

Looking for advice on careers or becoming a STEM Ambassador RACHP visit https://ior.org.uk/careers