07 November 2025
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Linda McVittie of J & E Hall was recognised with the prestigious Kooltech award at the Institute of Refrigeration Scotland Annual Dinner 2025, held in Glasgow. The event brought together more than 500 guests from across the refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump sectors to celebrate achievement, professionalism and collaboration within the industry.
BBC Radio presenter Arlene Stuart hosted the evening, with IOR Scotland chair Jason Fraser addressing the room to welcome guests, industry representatives and members from across the UK. The evening also featured a keynote speech from Colin Maclachlan, former SAS soldier and motivational speaker, who shared insights from his career and experiences in leadership, resilience and teamwork.
Kooltech award
The Kooltech award was presented to Linda McVittie of J & E Hall in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the refrigeration and air conditioning industry. Linda began her career at Star Refrigeration, working in sales administration before progressing into engineering and technical sales. Her commitment to continuous professional development led her to achieve Chartered Engineer status and become a Fellow of the Institute of Refrigeration. She later joined Trane as regional service account manager and now serves as sales manager for Scotland at J & E Hall International, supporting sustainable and energy-efficient cooling solutions across the region. With a career spanning more than 25 years, Linda is widely respected for her technical expertise, professionalism and mentorship. She has been named among the Women’s Engineering Society Top 50 Women in Engineering and was previously awarded Woman of the Year at the National Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heat Pump Awards.
Apprentice of the year
The apprentice of the year award, sponsored by Absolutely Chilled Ltd, was presented to Martin Oates of CPA Engineering Solutions. Oates was recognised for his technical ability, professionalism and commitment to learning and development during his apprenticeship. Judges commended his consistent performance and contribution to both his company and the wider industry.
Apprentice of the Year 2025 - Martin Oates
Supporting Dogs Trust
The dinner also raised funds for the Dogs Trust charity. The event once again demonstrated the strength of the Scottish refrigeration community and its ongoing commitment to innovation, sustainability and professional excellence across all levels of the sector.
