My engineering career started in the drawing office at Heating and Cooling Coils, but I quickly moved into their Sales and Applications Department.

Here I found a love for all things Refrigeration and Air Conditioning. Keen to progress within the industry, after two years with Heating and Cooling Coils I moved to Kelvion Searle where I was put through an apprenticeship program. I studied for a Level 3 BTEC in Building Services Engineering on day release. Using my working days to learn more about the fundamentals of refrigeration and to gain some hands-on experience in the factory, brazing and assembling commercial coolers.

I completed my apprenticeship with a Double Distinction, finishing top of the class and showing my male peers that’s girls can do just as well as boys (and often better). I received a Governor’s Award from College and made the final top 10 for RAC/IOR Student of the Year awards 2004, the only female in the shortlist.

I am grateful to the strong role model l had in my mother (also an engineer). She taught me to have confidence in my knowledge and to never give up on what I love. Her influence has propelled me through a career I am passionate about. Some days are more challenging than others, but with every challenge, I grow stronger and more confident in my abilities.

Fast forward 22 years from the start and I am still here, enjoying the career I’ve built. I’ve moved from airside product design to complete system design, and still love every bit of the job as much as I did all those years ago. Extremely proud to have been elected onto the Board of Trustees at the Institute of Refrigeration during 2019. Even prouder to have made history last year, being one of two females elected onto the Board of Directors at ACRIB (Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Industry Board) as the first females to sit on the board.

Aside from my day job, and my Non-Executive Directorships, I am also an advocate for Diversity and Inclusion, being an active STEM Ambassador and STEMazing Women.