Airmaster Air Conditioning Ltd

Airmaster Design Apprentice Max Brough Shortlisted for Rotherham Apprentice of the Year 2025

Airmaster Air Conditioning Ltd — 04/06/2025

Airmaster is proud to announce that Max Brough, Design Apprentice at Airmaster, has been shortlisted for the prestigious Rotherham Apprentice of the Year 2025 awards, which this year is celebrating its 10^th anniversary.

Max, who began his journey with Airmaster partway through his Level 3 Metal Fabricator apprenticeship, has since transitioned into a design-focused role and is now studying at Level 4 at University Centre Rotherham. Over the last two years, Max has flourished as an integral part of Airmaster’s design team, demonstrating not only exceptional technical skill but a proactive mindset that has made a tangible impact across the business.

From introducing AI tools into the design process to supporting Airmaster’s sustainability goals, Max has consistently gone above and beyond. His drive to improve procedures, coupled with his infectious enthusiasm and professionalism, has earned him respect from colleagues, clients, and peers alike.

Beyond the workplace, Max is a passionate advocate for engineering careers. He has represented Airmaster at regional STEM events, including Get Up to Speed with STEM at Magna Science Adventure Centre, helping to inspire young people to explore opportunities in mechanical services.

Lisa Pogson, Managing Director of Airmaster, commented:

“We are incredibly proud of Max and everything he has achieved. His journey from site engineer to member of our design team shows the power of apprenticeships in unlocking talent and passion. Max brings fresh thinking, curiosity, and a genuine heart to everything he does, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to see him recognised at a regional level. We wish Max the very best of luck and congratulate all the shortlisted nominees.”

An Awards Evening will be held at the AESSEAL New York Stadium on Thursday 17^th July, 2025, where the winners will be announced. The Awards are organised by Rotherham Council’s RiDO Team and the Rotherham Advertiser and are supported by local sponsors. The organisers said, “This year the nominees were of a very high standard, and it was hard for the judges to shortlist, congratulations to all the apprentices and good luck on the night”.

Airmaster workforce rises to the challenge during Covid

Airmaster Air Conditioning Ltd — 04/03/2021

As a leading heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) company, we are continually improving our systems and processes to help us provide the best possible service to our customers, and this year has been no exception.

Despite the Covid-19 pandemic we have managed to keep busy by achieving five accreditations during the lockdown, including an update to our Investors in People award.

We’ve held Investors in People since 2005 and had been preparing for renewal when lockdown happened. Not to be daunted we were determined to see the process through and conducted a series of online surveys and staff interviews to meet the accreditation’s requirements. A virtual site visit at the end of March finalised the project.

We also maintained ISO 9001, the recognised quality management system accreditation. This certifies our dedication to continually improving our efficiency and helps focus on the streamlining of businesses processes.

Like so many organisations during the pandemic, we have been polishing our online meeting skills using Microsoft Teams and Zoom to keep our lines of communication open. We used MS Teams to manage collaboration and collation of information for our ISO 9001 surveillance audit. We also used MS Teams to support the renewal of our environmental management award ISO 4001 conducting virtual live site visits.

We passed all three with flying colours and with some very positive notes for the Airmaster team as we continue to find ways to reduce our environmental impact. The great news continues as since then we’ve achieved Safe Contractor and CHAS Premium to add to our list of mission-critical health and safety awards.

“We’ve achieved a great deal in what has been a year of ups and downs,” says Airmaster MD Lisa Pogson, “not least with people being ill and not being around their friends and families. Working remotely for some of our office staff has been a new experience. But overall, we have managed to keep our focus on the ups.”

The pandemic has presented us all with many challenges, but it has also given us an opportunity to look at things in a different light and adapt to unpredictable and ever-changing circumstances.

This has been particularly important for our key worker customers. We supply service and maintenance contracts for emergency services, retail and healthcare organisations. It has been vital that we do our bit to ensure these customers’ air conditioning systems function as well as possible.

Our team of engineers made this the focus of their attention. We also made the decision not to charge for any additional cleaning to maintenance contracts as a show of support for businesses continuing to work during the crisis.

Never has it been more important for employees to be comfortable at work, especially those on the front line. Not only does a healthy working atmosphere with proper ventilation boost performance and productivity, it can also make people feel good about coming to work. In the current climate, this is essential for staff morale.

Businesses that have been able to continue have relied as much on the commitment, dedication and bravery of their staff as on Government stay safe guidelines.

We are no different and are very proud of our staff and their efforts in what has been a very difficult time for everyone.

Inaugural MAMS Trophy Memorial Golf Day

Airmaster Air Conditioning Ltd — 02/08/2024

On Friday 12^th July the inaugural Michael Archbould and Mark Staniland (MAMS) Trophy Memorial Golf Day was held at Sitwell Park Golf Club in Rotherham with players from Airmaster, Vent Direct and Cool Designs taking part.

Joint Managing Director, Mark Staniland passed away from Sarcoma, a form of bone and soft tissue cancer in 2019 and Senior Contracts Manager, Michael Archbould passed away aged 32 from ARVC inherited cardiac disease in 2020.

Managing Director, Lisa Pogson said “Michael and Mark were much loved and are much missed members of #TeamAirmaster and we are pleased to be able to hold this event in their memory. Michael was a keen golfer and after discussion with a number of our suppliers we wanted to do something celebrate their lives and we will now make this an annual event.”

“Thanks to Scott Marshall, Director at Vent Direct (and all the team) for covering the golf, food and drink and Andy Gill, Regional Sales Manager from Cool Designs for sponsoring drinks and trophies. We are very grateful and we will be making a donation towards the event as well as British Heart Foundation (in memory of Michael) and the Sarcoma charity (in memory of Mark).”

The MAMS Trophy was a match play competition, with the trophies being presented by Scott Marshall, Director at Vent Direct and Lisa Pogson, Managing Director at Airmaster :

Nearest the Pin: Scott Marshall, Vent Direct

Wooden Spoon: Charlie Fisher, Airmaster

Runner Up: Kevin Jones, Vent Direct

Longest Drive and Overall Winner: Richard Fox, Fox Electrical

The company trophy was collected by Simon Latimer from Vent Direct

Airmaster to Exhibit at Made in Yorkshire Expo 2025

Airmaster Air Conditioning Ltd — 14/08/2025

Airmaster is pleased to announce that we will be exhibiting at the Made in Yorkshire Expo 2025, taking place on Thursday 16th October at the Accu Stadium in Huddersfield.

The Made in Yorkshire Expo is one of the region’s flagship manufacturing events, bringing together hundreds of businesses from across the supply chain. It provides a valuable opportunity for companies to showcase their expertise, share best practice, and build connections with fellow manufacturers, suppliers, and decision-makers.

For Airmaster, attending this event is about more than exhibiting our services — it’s about strengthening relationships within the Yorkshire manufacturing community and highlighting how our innovative HVAC solutions can help manufacturers operate more efficiently, sustainably, and comfortably. As a long-standing supporter of the manufacturing sector, Airmaster understands the challenges businesses face and is committed to working collaboratively to find the right climate control solutions.

Lisa Pogson, Managing Director of Airmaster, said:

“We’re really looking forward to being part of the Made in Yorkshire Expo this year. It’s a fantastic event that showcases the very best of our region’s manufacturing strength and innovation. For Airmaster, it’s an opportunity to connect with other businesses, share our expertise in energy-efficient HVAC solutions, and explore new partnerships. We are proud to support the Yorkshire manufacturing community, and the Expo is the perfect platform to demonstrate how we can help organisations create sustainable and productive working environments.”

Visitors to the event will be able to meet the Airmaster team on our stand to find out more about how we design, install, and maintain bespoke HVAC solutions across manufacturing and other sectors.

Event details:

Made in Yorkshire Expo 2025
Thursday 16th October
Accu Stadium, Huddersfield
madeinyorkshire.com/events/made-in-yorkshire-expo

Airmaster “set the benchmark for the industry” in national awards

Airmaster Air Conditioning Ltd — 26/11/2018

Leading Swallownest- based mechanical services company Airmaster have just won the coveted industry ‘Oscar’, the RAC Contractor of the Year award in a glittering ceremony at the Park Lane Hilton in London.

Over 600 of the refrigeration and air conditioning industry elite came together for a night of recognition and celebration of the sector’s achievements.

Airmaster, who from their base in South Yorkshire work with big-name clients like Not on the High Street nationwide, was praised by the RAC Cooling Industry Awards expert judging panel.

The judges said: “We found this year’s entries to be of an exceptional standard, but in the end, it was Airmaster who took the laurels for its holistic approach to the business of cooling. The judges particularly liked the company’s enthusiasm for accreditation and the work Airmaster is doing for skills- in schools, in apprenticeships, in real ‘lifelong learning’ and in promoting women in refrigeration. Airmaster set the benchmark for the industry.”

Airmaster’s MD Lisa Pogson who collected the award on the night on behalf of the team of 36, was delighted. “To be told you are the best in the industry at what you do is such a privilege and an honour. We are all thrilled that the hard work, dedication to quality and expertise our team of brilliant staff offer all our clients. Our customer service is key; from commercial clients, manufacturers and educational teams to fit out contractors, retail and facilities teams, right across to domestic customers – that service now been recognised nationally. This award comes hot on the heels of our business development manager, Ian Fisher, being chosen from over 130 national entrants as one of 40 UK role models for the construction industry, so we are celebrating our exceptional team twice now.”

Andrew Gaved, editor-in-chief of RAC Magazine said: “The fantastic showcase of technology and best practice we saw at the Awards shows that the cooling industry is continuing to thrive, whatever the politicians throw at us.”

Now 24 years old, the RAC Cooling Industry Awards are widely considered the most authoritative awards in the refrigeration and air conditioning industry. The awards provide industry recognition and unrivalled networking opportunities.

Contact Airmaster on 0114 2889911 www.airmaster.uk.com

Is maintaining your air conditioning system important?

Airmaster Air Conditioning Ltd — 15/09/2023

Written by Senior Contracts Manager, Scott Wolstenholme

Airmaster has been servicing and maintaining air conditioning, refrigeration and ventilation systems all over the UK for over 30 years - from retail to healthcare; education to residential; offices to laboratories and lots more besides.

Maintaining your air conditioning system is vital to keep it working efficiently and effectively. On new installations we always recommend that the system be serviced at least annually, depending on the location and importance of the area served, this could be up to four times a year!

Most air conditioning manufacturers require proof that the systems are being maintained by a reputable company should any parts be required under the warranty period.

Air conditioning systems are very efficient when they are installed, but the longer they run the less efficient they become. As a result, each year you will see a steady decline in your system’s efficiency unless you get it regularly maintained by a trained engineer.

The following three components inside your air conditioning system require regular attention:

Coils – The evaporator coil and condensing unit both collect dirt which reduces airflow around the unit. Regular cleaning and in some circumstances deep cleaning with industrial detergent and a jet wash will keep the system running efficiently, blocked condenser coils in the warmer months will cause the system to trip on a ‘high pressure’ fault. The latter being the number one fault that occurs through the summer, regular maintenance will eliminate this!

Filter – The filter can become clogged which restricts airflow to evaporator coil. This will then cause the system to run less efficiently and cause stress on the entire system. A blocked filter can also lead to dirt building upon the surface of the coil. Replacing or cleaning the filter regularly could increase your system’s efficiency by around 5-15%.

Drains – Occasionally the condensate drain channels can become blocked which impacts the units ability to remove excess moisture from the air. The drain channels should be checked and cleared annually to ensure there are no blockages.

Our annual maintenance plans include the following checks:

A refrigerant level check to ensure the right amount of refrigerant is present
A leak test to ensure there are no refrigerant leaks
Inspect and tighten all electrical terminals and connections
Lubricate all motors and bearings
Check fan belts are tensioned correctly
A test to ensure the thermostat is accurately measuring temperature
Inspect and clean all filters
Clean and polish the indoor unit fascia covers
Check all air on & off temperatures to ensure the system is running efficiently

It is the user/owner's responsibility to upkeep an F-Gas register and also employ the services of a properly accredited F-Gas company to look after the equipment. Airmaster will complete all F-Gas checks and produce an F-Gas register to you after every service.

Article published in the September 2023 issue of unLTD Business magazine

Airmaster Managing Director Lisa Pogson Honoured at Made in Group GREAT100 Celebration in London

Airmaster Air Conditioning Ltd — 11/12/2025

Airmaster is proud to announce that Managing Director Lisa Pogson has been recognised at the Made in Group GREAT100 celebration event held in London last week, acknowledged for her exceptional leadership, commitment to people development, and her outstanding contribution to the future of UK industry. The GREAT100 initiative celebrates individuals who are shaping manufacturing through innovation, mentorship and positive cultural change, qualities embodied in Lisa’s leadership every day.

Lisa, a driving force behind Airmaster’s evolution into a proudly employee-owned business, has built a culture centred on people, projects and progress. Her leadership blends commercial focus with humility, humour and deep care for her team, values that have become defining strengths of Airmaster’s identity.

Under her guidance, Airmaster achieved financial independence at the end of 2023, a milestone that strengthens its long-term stability as an employee-owned business. At the same time, the company has delivered major engineering projects, including a £4 million Defence sector contract and a significant retrofit project for AESSEAL, one of Yorkshire’s leading manufacturers.

Yet it is Lisa’s people-focused leadership that truly stands out. Her natural warmth, down-to-earth style and commitment to creating a supportive, respectful workplace have resulted in a team that works with pride, purpose and genuine camaraderie described fondly as “a dysfunctional family in the best way”.

Lisa’s recognition at the GREAT100 event particularly celebrates her excellent work in supporting early-career talent. She is a passionate advocate for young people, working with local schools, charities and partners to raise awareness of engineering careers. Her mentorship of apprentices, including the widely celebrated early-career success of designer and STEM Ambassador Max Brough, has strengthened Airmaster’s commitment to developing the next generation of engineers.

The Made Futures Award category, under which Lisa was honoured, recognises those who educate, mentor and champion young talent across industry. Lisa’s dedication to nurturing future engineers, despite not being an engineer herself (as her team jokingly reminds her), has made her a relatable, inspiring and highly effective role model.

Airmaster’s growing reputation for delivering complex ventilation, airflow and energy-efficient building systems is closely tied to Lisa’s leadership. As businesses increasingly prioritise sustainability and indoor air quality, Airmaster’s engineering services are becoming more relevant than ever.

Lisa’s influence has ensured that as the company grows, it does so with both heart and high standards, building a business that is as committed to its people as it is to delivering outstanding technical capability.

Commenting on the recognition, Lisa said:

“I’m honoured to be recognised as part of the GREAT100. This reflects the spirit and dedication of the whole Airmaster family. I’m passionate about helping young people see the opportunities in engineering, and I’m proud of how our team supports the next generation with enthusiasm, kindness and belief.”

Airmaster returns to Get up to Speed

Airmaster Air Conditioning Ltd — 04/03/2022

Sheffield based Airmaster are one of the latest businesses to have signed up to exhibit at Yorkshire’s largest annual employer-inspired science, technology, engineering, manufacturing (STEM) and construction showcase, Get up to Speed with STEM. The annual event for young people has over 3,700 booked to attend so far.

The event takes place at Magna Science Adventure Centre on Wednesday 23rd March giving young people the chance to see some of the UK’s most exciting STEM inventions and meet the people who design, build and operate them. Attendees can also speak to a host of businesses, inventors, apprentices and education providers on the future of these industries and the career opportunities within them.

Get up to Speed with STEM also gives companies taking part the opportunity to showcase their business, highlight career opportunities and current vacancies and meet with other businesses, whilst helping to address the skills gap in STEM-related industries.

Airmaster Managing Director, Lisa Pogson is an active member of Women in Refrigeration Air Conditioning and Heat Pumps Committee, is a STEM Ambassador and supports the STEMamazing Inspiration Academy that delivers a 6-week programme of live online STEM sessions designed to engage children aged 7-9 years old.

Lisa said "We are proud supporters of The Work-wise Foundation and are pleased to be supporting the annual Get up to Speed with STEM careers showcase for the 6^th year. I started as an apprentice as did most of our senior management team. There is still a skills shortage across the engineering sector so the work with schools and universities to attract the future engineers is crucial to the future growth of our business and the sector."

https://www.getuptospeed.org.uk/

Equality in STEM - Female Role Models - Lisa Pogson, MD, Airmaster

Airmaster Air Conditioning Ltd — 05/07/2023

What is your current role?

I am MD at Airmaster and I have worked here in various roles since it started in 1992. I am also Chair of Rotherham’s Business Growth Board and Chair of Grimm & Co., as well as a Trustee at The Source. I’m also Mum to Hannah ?

What does that involve, look like on a day-to-day basis?

My job is to support a fantastic team of people, whilst they carry out installation and maintenance of energy efficient heating and cooling systems, ventilation and public health water services, on a daily basis. I aim to raise the profile of the business and our team every day and I am happy to say that is a great job. I am really proud of Airmaster becoming an employee owned business. I work with our team and customers, suppliers and sub contractors to help the business work efficiently and effectively as possible and also to get the message out about what our values are.

How did you get started working in STEM?

Well, my Dad was an electrician and started as an older apprentice in a lift company. He ended up touring the country fitting lifts in many buildings until he retired. A lot of our family worked in construction and engineering roles (my Grandad was a Crucible steel man in his younger days too). I have always been fascinated by seeing things change and being built and the built environment for me is so cool. I started my full time working life in an Architectural Practice as an Office Junior, on a YTS (1984) and in various Construction businesses, with a few years working in Admin at Sheffield Hallam University, in my mid 20’s. I fell into the HVAC industry when I met my husband (plumber/heating engineer) and his brother was setting up Airmaster (Aircon Engineer). I was doing a part time MSc in Management (Resources) when I came to the business and was lucky to go on a Factory Visit to Daikin in Bruges soon after starting. Wow! Kaizen came to life, I saw ‘robots’ and there was a good mix of female engineers in the factories too – this was over 20 years ago. I decided right then, I loved the industry!

What qualifications did you take or gain along the way?

I left school with a handful of GCSEs but through lifelong learning, I did a GNVQ, HNC, HND and a Masters Degree in Management (Resources) at University of Hull, via Rotherham College and I graduated when I was over 30. It was hard work doing night school and evenings and weekends, but it was worth it and I am proud to support and mentor others to do this now too. I am currently considering a further education course, but not sure how I would fit it in…

Why do you love working in STEM?

All of the above and I just love working with people that make things work, build things, solve problems and you can see a result. I was never the best at maths or science, but now I work in this field, I see the relevance of everything that I didn’t understand then. I know now, that if I had understood how it all applied to what I was learning, I might have been an engineer, instead of down the Finance/HR/Administration route. Whatever, I love it all, never stop learning and I already have a Master of Science degree. Maybe one day…

What challenges have you faced in your career? And how have you overcome them?

I have had lots of help and support by mentors, friends and family. Equally, I have been challenged by people I would not have expected. I have overcome them with help and support from some great female mentors and some great guys as allies. I have been quite resilient, even at the worst of times. I was very worried when I had my daughter late, that I would lose my knowledge quickly. The biggest challenge to me has been ensuring commitment to the business when trying hard to be a good mum too. I know that, at times, I have tried to keep everyone happy to the detriment of my own wellbeing. Hindsight is wonderful! Make sure that you put the oxygen mask on you first – otherwise you won’t be able to breathe and who will look after others then?!

What advice would you offer for someone joining the STEM sectors?

Enjoy it, work hard, help others on the way up/always try and give back in some way. In my view it can be limitless – we are building the future, quite literally!

What do we need to do as an industry to attract and keep more women in STEM?

Value the women we already have and use them as Role Models! Just like in these articles. Celebrate what we have, how far we have come and plan small steps on what is coming up. I think being as flexible as possible, around caring responsibilities, though I realise this is a massive challenge for businesses, the smaller, the more difficult. Any help and support is great. You usually get back support tenfold in the long run. It may not seem it at the time and some people do use it to their advantage, however, there will always be those people. Don’t let them spoil it for others – Try and have good policies around care leave, etc. It is important to the business that everyone is on board and aware of them and can help and support where possible.

Article published in UnLTD Business magazine, July 2023

Women in ACR - MD Lisa Pogson

Airmaster Air Conditioning Ltd — 11/03/2019

Name: Lisa Pogson

Role and company: Managing Director, Airmaster Air Conditioning Ltd based in South Yorkshire.

What was your first job?

First full-time job was on a youth training programme (YTS) as a ‘Girl Friday’ office assistant in an architectural practice

What does your current role involve?

Supporting #TeamAirmaster! We have such a great diverse team working across the industry. I am so proud to go out representing them all, talking about the types of works and contracts we are doing. There is an ambassador role too, dealing with customers, ensuring we keep our accreditations up to date, as well as back office too when needed.

What attracted you to the industry?

My Dad was a lift engineer and family and friends worked in construction. Most of my working life has been in construction or a related industry. I never felt I was clever enough to be an engineer, so have always worked in some form of support. One of my old bosses called support the glue, an invisible line that you think you might be able to get away without using, but when it’s not there, things slowly start falling apart! My brother in law set up Airmaster and I started working with him part time, helping with the books and accounts. The business grew until I became full time in 2001 as office manager. At this point I asked if the business would help me finishing my MSc in Management (Resources) by allowing me some time to work with the growing team. It was about using Investors in People as a vehicle for changing and growing a business.

What excites/interests you about the industry?

It is ever changing and has become more regulated, due to legislation like the Kyoto protocol and the FGas regulations. Incidentally, we are assured that whatever the outcome of Brexit, those regulations will still be kept in our laws. Some of the fines for not tracking and checking, via TM44s and regular servicing are moving from the £20K mark to the £200K level. The ever-changing refrigerants and the training interests me especially because of my background. I would like us to utilise our vast inhouse knowledge to help train the next generation and we do, through having apprentices, but I often feel that by freeing up a bit more of our team’s time, we could do more. There is a shortage of interest in the industry: a perception of long hours and working away, but the teams and how they work is amazing. It is hard, but can have good rewards too.

Hindsight is a wonderful thing, I know, but looking back, if I thought for a moment that nearly 25 years since I started helping with the books at Airmaster I would still be here, I would have gone back and studied so I could apply the knowledge. I thought that Thermo Dynamics was rocket science – and it was! However, looking at how thermal loads work in a building and pressure drops and velocities can be fascinating. I truly believe that workplace design is and always has been key to a happy team. That goes for schools, factories and many other buildings too. Even in our own homes, if things aren’t working correctly, it stresses us out. It is just the same. I was never very confident around complicated maths calculations and it stopped me – I thought it was a dark art!

How would you like to see your career developing?

I want to continue to be an ambassador and an advocate for our fab #TeamAirmaster. I love being part of the industry and green business nationally. I can’t believe I’ve been around as long as I have, through R22 phase out to Ban, the Kyoto protocol, the various new gases. I would like to see more of the factories where the systems are built and be ahead of the curve. I would like to get more of our team to see that too.

What do you see as the challenges facing the industry?

Recruitment and training of great folk coming in is our biggest challenge to me. We even struggled to get local apprentices wanting to be involved. If we can’t get people in from the beginning, what chance have we got later? And this is us who spend time going in to local schools speaking, going to exhibitions where the school- age kids are doing science clubs and competitions around engineering. People tend to fall into the career through family. In my view, key to any building is the services working in the best way possible, working efficiently, therefore being cheaper. I would like to encourage people to consider building services industry as an interesting place to be.

What is the best piece of advice you were ever given?

My first boss used to tell me all the time to ‘Write stuff down! You won’t remember everything. Make a list’. Now I make lists everywhere.... too many! She is still around and is amazing at 70 plus, what a role model.

What are the best things about being in your role?

Working with a passionate team, knowing that everyone is trying their best to do a great job. I was so proud when I collected the RAC Cooling Awards ‘Contractor of the Year’ trophy at the end of last year, on behalf of the team. It was a great day for us.

What would you say to other women who are considering coming into the ACR industry?

If you can’t see it, you can’t be it. Let’s see more of those folks coming through – not just women! Confidence is key. What is hard now, will be worth it in the end. More companies are struggling to recruit and are having to look at their benefits across the organisation. This is not just for women either, training and continuous development is so important.

I am passionate about more women coming into the industry, and think they can help in lots of areas, and particularly on the design. Women are often great mathematicians. It was a woman’s calculations that helped to get the USA to the moon, why not to plan thermal loads in a building? We have a shortage of mechanical design engineers and similar, often they just need to keep on with the course, as they are the only girl or woman in the room. I know it is hard, but it is often confidence that stops it. Sometimes I wonder if maybe I’m just weird that I find it interesting to see how the big jigsaw fits together?!

Case Study - Pharmaceutical - Full Mechanical Design & Build

Airmaster Air Conditioning Ltd — 03/06/2021

Case Study

SECTOR: PHARMACEUTICAL / HEALTH

CONTRACT: FULL MECHANICAL DESIGN AND BUILD

Airmaster have completed the full design and build mechanical install of specialist laboratory systems for a Pharmaceuticals company in the health sector.

The install compromised of; flexible LEV extraction arms in the laboratories.

Dedicated plastic fume extraction systems to the fume cupboards up to roof level duty/assist centrifugal fans and purge stack.

All this controlled via an Easylab VAV damper system to keep the pressures in balance when the environment changes.

Magnehelic Gauges were installed at each entrance to show the pressure reading of the room, each with its own specific requirement.

The general ventilation was supplied via packaged Air Handling Units with LTHW frost coil via an Air Source Heat Pump and DX heating/cooling coils.

Fan coil units were installed throughout the floors with VRV Condensers providing comfortable temperature control to the office and laboratories via secondary high induction supply grilles.

All roof systems required walkways and hand rails manufacturing for safe access.

Other systems installed include a Comms Room AC split system, a -20 freezer room build and refrigeration install for material storage.

Stainless steel ductwork and plastic fan to specialist ICPMS lab equipment to deal with chemical fume extraction. Buffer vessel and pump set configuration within the plantroom.

And finally, a full public health install of sanitary ware and laboratory sinks basins and safety shower, POU water heaters, high efficiency twin water softener and GRP storage tank with twin headed booster pump.

All systems controlled and managed via a fully integrated BMS system with head end PC and graphics.

A great team effort by all, from the conception of Airmaster’s team of designers which made all that came after run and work smoothly. The install with our own contracts engineers and site supervision completed the whole project within a 13 week programme!

The team also completed a 2 week commissioning phase at the end to balance the systems in a -10pa lab environment.

Download the PDF of our case study here Case Study - Pharmaceutical

Contractor of Year Airmaster announces three new staff appointments

Airmaster Air Conditioning Ltd — 26/06/2019

Leading Swallownest- based mechanical services company Airmaster, Industry Contractor of the Year, have announced three new appointments.

Airmaster, who work nationwide from Sheffield, South Yorkshire, with big-name clients like Not on the High Street and Morgan Sindall Group, turn over around £9 million with 35 staff.

  Andy Benson (48), of Penistone, joins as finance manager. He started his career in the civil service at a Jobcentre and went to work in computer-aided design for an engineering company after seeing a role advertised at the Jobcentre. 

He stayed for 24 years, moving into finance before becoming MD and has joined Airmaster for a fresh challenge. 

New estimator Adrian Gill (57) lives in Huddersfield. He started his career as an apprentice plumber, became a commercial contractor and then the senior estimator for Ambitemp M&E. He is looking forward to building Airmaster's mechanical division and securing more varied work.

Scott Wolstenholme (41) lives in Charnock, Sheffield. He joins Airmaster as a project engineer after a 21-year career with Bradley Refrigeration, starting as an apprentice on leaving school. “I was looking for a new challenge and to progress my career further. After 13 years mainly working with farms on crop refrigeration, I am looking forward to learning new areas of the industry whilst sharing my knowledge.”

Airmaster’s MD Lisa Pogson congratulated the new appointees: “They are already enhancing our offer to a wider range of clients than ever. The two engineers started as apprentices, which sits well with our values. Almost 100% of the Airmaster workforce have been apprentices, including founder director Richard Pogson and five of the six senior management team. We are heavily involved in many education initiatives, from literacy in primary schools to STEM career choices in secondary schools and universities.

We are committed to ‘growing our own’ wherever possible. We are currently looking to build our refrigeration division with a new engineer, callouts cover and a senior engineer in contracts due to the recent promotion of our contracts manager to director.”

Airmaster Apprentice Shortlisted for Prestigious Make UK Award

Airmaster Air Conditioning Ltd — 21/08/2025

Airmaster is proud to announce that Design Apprentice Max Brough has been shortlisted for Apprentice of the Year – Rising Star at the Make UK Manufacturing Awards 2025 for the North East, Yorkshire and Humber region.

The Make UK Manufacturing Awards celebrate the next generation of talent shaping the future of UK industry. Max’s shortlisting recognises his exceptional commitment, technical ability, and dedication to both his personal development and the success of his team at Airmaster.

Since joining the company, Max has played a key role in the design and delivery of HVAC systems for a wide range of projects, including commercial retrofits and complex office developments. Alongside his work, he has completed a Level 4 apprenticeship and is now studying for Level 5 Higher National Diploma in Mechanical Engineering at University Centre Rotherham, continuing to strengthen his technical expertise while gaining valuable industry experience.

Speaking about the nomination, Max said:
“I’m honoured to be shortlisted for this award. For me, an apprenticeship was the best way to gain hands-on experience while building my qualifications. I’m proud to contribute to Airmaster’s projects and grateful for the support of my colleagues as I continue to grow in my career.”

Airmaster Design Engineer Sam Casadei, who has supported Max throughout his apprenticeship, added:
“Max’s enthusiasm, initiative, and work ethic make him an invaluable member of the team. He consistently goes above and beyond, and it’s fantastic to see his efforts recognised at such a high level.”

The winners will be announced at the Make UK Manufacturing Awards North East, Yorkshire & Humberside Dinner on Thursday 16th October 2025 in Harrogate, with regional winners progressing to the national finals later in the year.

https://makeuk-awards.evessiocloud.com/2025/en/page/north-east-yorkshire-humberside-dinner

Lisa Pogson, Managing Director of Airmaster, Named in The Manufacturer Top 100 for 2025

Airmaster Air Conditioning Ltd — 05/06/2025

Airmaster is delighted to announce that Managing Director Lisa Pogson has been named in The Manufacturer Top 100 for 2025. Now in its 12th year, this prestigious programme recognises the most dynamic and inspiring individuals driving the future of UK manufacturing.

Lisa’s inclusion on this year’s list celebrates her decades-long contribution to the built environment sector and her tireless work championing sustainability, skills development, and inclusive leadership. Selected by a panel of industry leaders, academics, and key sector bodies, the list honours individuals making a profound impact across Net Zero, Digital Transformation, Innovation, and Leadership.

Lisa brings nearly 40 years of cross-disciplinary experience, having worked in architectural practice, quantity surveying, structural engineering, and construction before joining Airmaster. Over the past 30 years with the company, she has led its evolution into a values-driven, forward-thinking building services specialist. Under her stewardship, Airmaster now delivers intelligent heating, cooling, plumbing, and ventilation solutions and became an employee-owned trust in 2021, completing the buyout of its founders in 2024.

A lifelong learner, Lisa holds an MSc in Management (Resources) from Sheffield Hallam University and was part of the inaugural UK cohort of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Programme in 2016. She is a passionate advocate for continuous development, having established Airmaster’s first apprenticeship programme in 2000, with that apprentice now serving as the company’s Operations Director. Airmaster has proudly held Investors in People accreditation for over 20 years, and Lisa continues to promote talent development across the sector.

Beyond Airmaster, Lisa is an energetic champion for industry engagement and community impact. She has served as a STEM Ambassador for over 16 years, supporting initiatives such as STEMazing, The Work-wise Foundation, and the Women in RACHP group. She is also Chair of Trustees at the children’s literacy charity Grimm & Co and acts as an Enterprise Advisor, reinforcing her belief in creating accessible pathways into technical and professional careers.

Lisa’s work as a leader of SMEs and local industry has also been widely recognised. She made history as the first female president of the combined Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber of Commerce, serving for three years, and has been a Freeman of The Company of Cutlers of Hallamshire since 2014 — a reflection of her deep commitment to regional economic growth.

“I’m truly honoured to be recognised in The Manufacturer Top 100,” said Lisa Pogson. “This award is a testament to the brilliant people I work with, the supportive network I’ve built over the years, and my belief that great leadership means lifting others as you rise. Manufacturing in the UK is full of unsung heroes — and I’m proud to stand alongside them.”

Celebrating Our People, Projects and Progress at Airmaster

Airmaster Air Conditioning Ltd — 25/07/2025

It’s been a busy and exciting period at Airmaster, and following a recent catch-up with Made in Yorkshire, we thought it was a great time to reflect on some of the positive developments across the business.

Now proudly employee-owned since 2021, Airmaster continues to build on a strong foundation of values-led leadership, long-standing client relationships, and a deep commitment to investing in our people. It’s fair to say that our culture – described more than once as a “dysfunctional family in the best way” – remains one of our greatest strengths.

Reflecting back, a big moment for us came at the end of 2023, when we reached a major milestone by becoming financially free. This paved the way for a full-team celebration and was a testament to years of dedication, especially under the guidance of our Managing Director, Lisa Pogson. Lisa has played a vital role in navigating the business through challenging transitions – from the ownership handover to the hurdles of the pandemic, just to name a couple – she has always led with the team’s wellbeing and long-term future front of mind.

We’ve also seen exciting growth across several areas of the business. Our work in the Defence sector has expanded significantly in recent years, with one of our largest-ever projects – a £4 million installation for a major Defence OEM – successfully delivered in the South of England. While work in this sector comes with its challenges, it reflects the high standards and capabilities of our team.

Alongside this, we’ve continued to diversify, with a real focus on clean, modern factory environments and lab-based work. One standout local project was a major retrofit for ASSEAL in Rotherham – one of the biggest Yorkshire-based contracts we've delivered. This project not only strengthened a long-standing client relationship but also showcased our growing reputation for sustainable, energy-efficient design and delivery.

At the heart of all this success is our brilliant team. One of the highlights this year has been seeing our Design Apprentice, Max Brough, shortlisted for Rotherham Apprentice of the Year 2025 – a fantastic recognition of his drive, creativity, and commitment. Max joined us midway through his Level 3 Metal Fabricator apprenticeship and has since transitioned into a design role, now studying at Level 5 at University Centre Rotherham. He’s introduced AI into our design processes, championed sustainability, and continues to inspire others at STEM events across the region.

Lisa’s passion for nurturing talent has played a big role here. Through local school engagement, hands-on mentoring, and always making time for people, she’s helped shape a culture where potential is spotted early and supported to flourish. It’s that people-first approach – balancing ambition with compassion – that continues to drive us forward.

As we look to the future, we’re excited to keep building on this momentum – taking on meaningful projects, investing in innovation, and celebrating the people who make it all happen.

We’re also pleased to share that Airmaster will be exhibiting at the upcoming Made in Yorkshire Expo at the Accu Stadium in Huddersfield. In the past, this has always been a brilliant event for reconnecting with fellow members, making some new meaningful connections, and hearing what others across the region have been working on. So we’re looking forward to seeing you there on Thursday, 16th October!

Airmaster gains gold with an increased commitment to sustainability

Airmaster Air Conditioning Ltd — 14/01/2022

Airmaster have completed their re-assessment and upgraded from Silver to the Gold membership with the Supply Chain Sustainability School.

21-year-old University of Sheffield student, Sam Casadei from Barnsley has played a key role in Airmaster gaining this gold membership. Sam who is studying for a MEng Interdisciplinary Engineering specialising in Energy and Sustainability, has completed 3 years study and is working with Airmaster as a Mechanical Design Engineer on his year out in industry before going back to complete his final year of his degree.

Sam said, “My role at Airmaster involves thermal modelling of buildings and carrying out design calculations to size and locate AC units. I am working on a project to look at Airmaster’s own energy usage, and how this can be reduced by solar panels, heat pumps, and water re-use. This all feeds into the bigger picture of assessing and challenging the current sustainability procedures at the company, to lead by example.”

Over the last 6 months the company has ‘demonstrated an increase in sustainability competence’, using the Supply Chain Sustainability School’s resources has positively impacted the business in a number of key areas:

Carbon management: The carbon management resources have been invaluable in allowing Airmaster to understand where carbon emissions arise within the business and give potential mitigation strategies to reduce these. Another key area has been to highlight the impact of the wider supply chain, and the value of sustainable procurement.

Assessing impact of emissions: The training sessions, such as the SBTi (Science Based Targets Initiative) webinar were also crucial, giving options for SMEs to go beyond the legal requirements for logging sustainability. Airmaster look forward to engaging further with these initiatives and set an example to the industry on how to manage the impact SMEs have on national emissions.

Benchmarking knowledge: The assessments and action plans have been highly useful in displaying the range of knowledge bases within the business, and how this compares to the industry average.

Sustainability training: The action plans were a great booster to prompt training on ethical practises, and the human aspects of sustainability – and areas of sustainability that are less publicised. The action plans overall have allowed Airmaster to develop a well-rounded sustainability skillset, far beyond the level achievable without the help of the school.

New income streams: The school has helped to highlight potential new income streams or the possibilities to streamline current processes, which will assist with the strengthening of the integrated management system, currently 14001 and 9001.

Managing Director, Lisa Pogson said “We are delighted to have achieved the Gold membership with the Supply Chain Sustainability School, we are long-standing member and have continued to see the value as increasingly our clients are now requesting higher levels of membership to be on preferred contractor lists. We welcome this as a huge step forward for the industry to continue to improve its carbon footprint as we work towards a net zero goal.

Lisa continued “We aim to use the carbon calculator to develop an in-house suite of tools to report carbon and integrate this into our standard practice. Being aware of the continually developing legislation around sustainability will reduce risks associated by penalties for non-conformance and produce cost savings in the future. Maintaining the level of training with the school will allow Airmaster to continue to develop our skillset to benefit our clients and as well roll out the training modules to more staff it will assist us with remaining ahead of the curve.”

Agency in the Workplace: Airmaster - Article in NowThen Magazine

Airmaster Air Conditioning Ltd — 23/06/2023

Article by Tchiyiwe T. Chihana, Now Then Magazine

Managing Director Lisa Pogson details how the local heating and cooling company moved to being owned by its workers – and what the future holds for Airmaster.

Airmaster is an employee-owned heating and cooling company based in Sheffield with a national reach.

Starting out in air conditioning, the business has expanded to become a £9m turnover mechanical services contractor, which unusually for its sector has been owned by its workers through an employee ownership trust since 2021. The trust was set up to create a path to retirement for its founders, as well as helping to safeguard its working culture and build deeper involvement from its workers.

Lisa Pogson, Managing Director at Airmaster, told us more about the transition from traditionally-owned business to employee ownership trust – and what could happen once the company’s founders have been fully bought out by its workers.

How has having ownership in your workplace changed your life?

I've been with the business for a while, pretty much since it started in ‘92. It was my brother-in-law's business which he started, literally on his own in a van. I was helping out with bookkeeping and things like that and came to the business full time in 2001.

In 2021, we managed to find a way for the founders to sell the business… [The founders] said, well, why can't we do that ourselves and let our own team run it [through an employee ownership trust]? So that's basically what they've done.

What's changed now is everybody in the business is part of the team, literally part of the team because they've got a say in what happens… We are still paying off the founders, which is a challenge because you’re using the profitability of the business.

But it also means that people are working for that profit for a different reason – because then at the end of that they will have their say, which is great. People have said that they feel much more involved, much more in control. As MD, that is a really nice feeling – that we are making a legacy for the team that we've built. So that's how it's changed my life.

Do you have any commitments that you hold that are important to you to honour in your work?

I think part of the reason… this type of employee ownership trust was a good fit for our business was because [the company] was dealt with as if it was giving people a say already. So the fit was good and it's carried on that way.

I still feel committed to the team. I think I am a little bit more mindful when I do things that there's a lot of people behind that decision – it's not just me. I'd like to think that I have the best interest at heart, and I always have, but I think it does feel a bit more important to me now that it's their business.

Why is that important to you?

Because it's always been a bit of a family business. It started out that way and we've kept saying that it's got a family feel.

In 2016, we lost our joint MD… He had cancer and passed away in 2019, and part of our plan was that we were going to do a buy-out. We didn't know about the employee ownership trust [option], but we knew that we wanted to do it in some sort of way to involve all the team in it, because we wouldn't be able to afford to do it on our own.

I think that family feel, that ethos is carried on through me. We did go through two trade sales that didn't work out, and I'm so glad they didn't, because they wouldn't have kept the ethos of the business, the family feel.

What would you like to see happen next?

I'd love that we can pay off the founders, which hopefully will be in 18 months’ time. Because that is a challenge and obviously you’re eating money while you're growing. So I'd like to see the founders paid off and a bit more of a move towards an employee council. I don't like the word council really, but a bit of a cooperative thing. I have been speaking to Cooperatives UK and just trying to get a feel for having a bit more of a committed team.

I'd rather people [at the company] get a bit more involved. We are trying to move that way, with having staff opinion without pushing too hard, because some people genuinely don't want to own a business and we sort of impose that on them. But I still know that they want to have a say in what we're doing.

What do you need from the community to make that happen?

I do need the Airmaster community to get a bit more understanding of what it's like to be an owner, so I'm trying to get a bit more push towards that. The [South Yorkshire] Ownership Hub… I think what that has given me is some extra connections that I didn't have and didn't utilise. Before we did the trust, I didn't utilise the Employee Ownership Association enough and I think I need to use that a bit more, and Cooperatives UK, because they've got lots of people that have done it.

When me and Mark were originally looking at how we could buy Airmaster, Gripple was one of the companies we looked at. They have been really helpful in supporting us and hosting things for us, and really open about how it's a very different way of doing things, because they're [run with] direct [employee] shares rather than a trust.

I think that for me, it's the employee engagement that's really important. You're not going to get everybody engaged, and I get that, but you've got to get 70-80% of the people on that journey with you and the other ones that are happy to do what they do. I think I need to continue to keep those networks going. I don't think there's anything additional I could ask for – they've been really supportive.

If worker owned organisations became the norm, how would communities in South Yorkshire change?

I've lived in Sheffield and Rotherham all my life and I'm 54. People are quite parochial, but they're also quite proud of where they come from. I think it would help to support growth in the area because people are too, ‘It's always the boss who tells me what to do and the boss is bad,’ and it's very difficult to do that if you're the boss. I've seen that from when my brother-in-law started the business and then all the things he learned about his boss, he became.

There's lots of owner-managed businesses [in South Yorkshire] that have elderly men that don't want to let go and a lot of it is because they've got a real connection to their businesses. Some people say it's greed and I don't agree – I think people have grown businesses for the best reasons. Yes, they're making money out of them, but they also want to pass them on to somebody and not everybody's got that person that can pass them on to, even if they've got family.

I see a real positive way for those businesses to get passed on. Because what happens [otherwise] is that it gets sold on because that's been the only way for the owner-manager to really realise some cash out of the business for their pension. So they get sold on, quite often outside the region, and broken up. I think that's the problem– the only way for them to realise some money out of the business is to sell it. And there is a way to sell it, but to sell it to the team that you trust, to pay you off but also to leave them with that legacy.

So what we've got now… we're halfway there. I'd love to be interviewed again when we're all the way there. We've got some older ones of us still here with the knowledge, but we've also got a young team of people that can take this forward and that's what I think would be good about it being the norm – that things can carry on, instead of getting broken up and the legacy of the knowledge lost. I think that's such a shame.

What meaning was made for you, if any, by the conversation we just had?

I think it's just made me think a little bit more about what we need to do. I think that ‘collaboration’ just keeps coming up in my head. Collaboration is really important… [It’s] about the communities turning this into the normal working practice. It’s the collaboration that you'll get which is wider than just that one business… You build stepping stones to other people. It's a network.

Airmaster Design Apprentice Max Brough Recognised as Highly Commended at Rotherham Advertiser’s Apprentice of the Year Awards 2025

Airmaster Air Conditioning Ltd — 30/07/2025

Airmaster is proud to announce that Design Apprentice Max Brough has been awarded the Highly Commended Higher/Degree award at the tenth annual Rotherham Advertiser Apprentice of the Year Awards 2025, held at the AESSEAL New York Stadium on 17 July. Max was recognised among the region’s brightest emerging talents in front of an audience of business and civic leaders from across South Yorkshire.

Max originally joined Airmaster midway through a Level 3 Metal Fabricator apprenticeship and has since transitioned into a design-focused role. He is currently studying at Level 5 at University Centre Rotherham. Over the past two years, he has introduced innovative AI tools into the design process, supported the company’s sustainability goals, and shown exceptional dedication—all of which have earned him recognition within the business and the wider STEM community.

Lisa Pogson, Managing Director at Airmaster, who also had the honour of hosting the awards evening in her role as Chair of the Rotherham Council Business Growth Board, said:

“We are incredibly proud of Max and everything he has achieved. His journey from site engineer to a key part of our design team demonstrates the power of apprenticeships in unlocking talent and passion. Max brings fresh thinking, curiosity and a real heart to everything he does—we couldn’t be more thrilled to see him highly commended at a regional level. Congratulations to all the nominees, and best of luck to Max as he continues to flourish.”

Max Brough added:

“It’s a real honour to be recognised, especially alongside so many talented apprentices. Airmaster has supported me from day one, helping me explore my strengths and take on new challenges. I’ve learned so much already, and this award gives me even more motivation to keep pushing forward. I’m really grateful to the team for backing me every step of the way.”

Lisa’s role as host reinforced Airmaster’s commitment to developing future talent. A long-standing advocate for apprenticeships and inclusive career pathways, she continues to use platforms like these to spotlight the next generation of engineers and designers from Rotherham and the wider South Yorkshire region.

Employees become beneficiaries of an Employee Owned Trust at Airmaster!

Airmaster Air Conditioning Ltd — 05/10/2021

At the beginning of July, Airmaster based at Swallownest, South Yorkshire transitioned to be owned by the employees, establishing an Employee Ownership Trust.

Founder, Richard Pogson and Director, Tony England were looking to realise some of their investment. The directors spent a considerable amount of time evaluating how best to ensure their successful firm continues to thrive and expand, when the time comes for them to exit the Company, and the decision to transform the business was taken. The solution was to create an Employee Ownership Trust. This is where the directors sell a majority share of the business and employees take a controlling interest.

Lisa Pogson, Managing Director said “Airmaster is a family-feel business with a close-knit team, the ethos of Employee Ownership was already there. We are delighted to become an Employee Ownership Trust and reward the staff for their commitment to the company. We have seen the success of other employee-owned businesses locally; established ones such as Gripple, who I visited as part of a Connect Yorkshire springboard session and Karen Mosley and HLM Architects, who transitioned 6 months before Airmaster. We spoke to a number of others that had been through the process, as well as the South Yorkshire Ownership Hub (part of the South Yorkshire LEP) and The Employee Ownership Association, throughout the process, to get the best outcome for our team.”

Gareth Campbell, Contracts Director said, “We are going through a phase of growth with lots of exciting opportunities; this gives us a great foundation to continue to grow the business whilst giving something back to the team that make that possible.”

Pictured top: L-R Chairman, Tony England; Chair of Trustees, Margaret Ferris; Employee Trustee Representative, Design Engineer, James Dawson; Managing Director, Lisa Pogson; Contracts Director, Gareth Campbell

The Board consists of Chairman, Tony England; Managing Director, Lisa Pogson; Contracts Director, Gareth Campbell; supported by a great Senior Management team such as Senior Contracts Manager Ross Blackwood and Finance Manager Andy Benson, looking to grow and evolve, with the rest of the staff, growing the business that has gone from strength to strength for almost 30 years!

Pictured right: Founder and Trustee, Richard Pogson

Richard and Tony said “We were made aware of the different types of EOT schemes, some of which include a financial commitment from the staff. However, it was important, to us that our employees would benefit from the scheme without incurring any financial burden.”

The Board of Trustees has an independent Chair, corporate finance specialist Margaret Ferris, Founder and former Director, Richard Pogson joins the Board of Trustees alongside Design Engineer, James Dawson who represents the employees on the Board.

Steve Vickers of Hart Shaw accountants and Matt Ainsworth of Knights Solicitors advised the Directors on the deal.

Margaret Ferris, Chair of Trustees said “I’m delighted to be involved with Airmaster, a company I have known for a number of years. The Employee Ownership Trust feels to be a really positive step for the culture of the business and into the next exciting of the company’s development. I look forward to going on this journey with them.”

South Yorkshire LEP are the first to become an Ownership Hub regional partner, encouraging and supporting employee and worker ownership in the region. They are working with Co-operatives UK and the Employee Ownership Association to raise awareness, develop training, deliver advice and expertise to create resilient and inclusive businesses that give employees a stake and a say.

The Ownership Hub is a joint project between Co-operatives UK and the Employee Ownership Association, supporting the #1MillionOwners campaign which aims to grow employee and worker ownership in the UK.

Airmaster Achieves ISO 45001 Health & Safety Accreditation, Reinforcing Commitment to People and Performance

Airmaster Air Conditioning Ltd — 10/04/2026

Pictured: Back row L-R Matt Andrews, Project Engineer; Ian Chapman, QHSE Manager; Sam Casadei, Mechanical Design Engineer.

Front L-R Lee-Anne Batty, Team Admin/Marketing Assistant; Lisa Pogson, Managing Director

Airmaster is proud to announce that it has successfully achieved ISO 45001 Occupational Health & Safety Management System certification, further strengthening its commitment to providing a safe, healthy and resilient working environment for employees, clients and partners.

ISO 45001 is an internationally recognised standard for occupational health and safety management. It provides a structured framework for identifying hazards, managing risk, meeting legal obligations, and continuously improving health and safety performance, while promoting strong leadership and employee engagement at all levels of an organisation.

The certification has been awarded following a successful independent audit conducted by AUVA Certification, a UKAS Accredited Body, Airmaster’s ISO certification partner.

Ian Chapman, QSHE & Compliance Manager at Airmaster, commented:

“Achieving ISO 45001 is a significant milestone for Airmaster and reflects our ongoing commitment to protecting the health, safety and well-being of everyone involved in our operations. This has been a true team effort, and I would like to extend my sincere thanks to Sam Casadei, Matt Andrews and Lee-Anne Batty for their dedication and hard work in helping us reach this standard. Their contribution has been instrumental in embedding robust systems and a positive safety culture across the business.”

ISO 45001 complements Airmaster’s existing management systems by reinforcing a proactive, risk-based approach to health and safety, supporting continual improvement and strengthening operational resilience. The certification also provides additional assurance to clients and stakeholders that health and safety is integral to how Airmaster plans, delivers and manages its projects.

This latest certification builds on Airmaster’s strong portfolio of industry approvals and reflects the company’s long-term commitment to excellence, compliance and responsible business practices.

Coldroom supply and install for Highfield Coffee Social in Doncaster

Airmaster Air Conditioning Ltd — 30/04/2024

Sector: Hospitality

Contract: Supply and install

Airmaster have completed the supply and install of a cold room for Highfield Coffee Social in Doncaster as part of their fit out of their new coffee shop.

Main Contractor: Togel Contractors

Project Manager: Stephanie Lagan–Collins, Fatfish Design

Airmaster supplied and installed the walk-in chiller cold room, refrigeration equipment, cold room shelving and a personnel entrapment alarm.

We also supplied and installed a stainless-steel kitchen canopy with integrated supply and extract, along with stainless steel wall cladding.

The existing A/C fan coil units were relocated, and we supplied and installed additional heat recovery units, along with upgrading all the ceiling grilles to matte black to fit with the new interior decor of the public facing coffee shop space.

“We have worked with Airmaster for around 20 years for all our air conditioning requirements throughout our business sites in Doncaster, including PPM, servicing, server room design and install when relocating offices.

When we have had problems arise in the past, all it has taken is a phone call to Airmaster, and on many occasions they have gone the extra mile to help us resolve the issue quickly and efficiently.

So, when we began to develop plans for Highfield Coffee Social, we knew we were in capable hands with the team to fulfil our specific requirements. The whole process, from initial plans through to fit and commission, was faultless, and we are delighted with the outcome.”

Mike Stark, Facilities Manager, Highfield

What our people say - Meet Scott Wolstenholme, Project Engineer, Contracts

Airmaster Air Conditioning Ltd — 15/03/2021

Scott Wolstenholme - Project Engineer, Contracts Department

I was as an Apprentice Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineer after school, and then I worked as an Agricultural Refrigeration Engineer, until becoming an Agricultural Manager. I joined Airmaster in 2019 and my job now involves tenders, surveys, scheduling, materials, arranging labour and the ongoing maintenance contracts once the job has been completed.

Airmaster is at the top of its market in terms of the size and scale of jobs we can undertake, for example we recently won a contract with a large hospital to service its chillers; and we have also done major work on some old industrial water chillers which was quite specialist. We are always looking for new opportunities and as soon as tenders come up, we are in there.

My favourite thing about this job is seeing the end result of a large project. It is great being involved from start to finish and having a satisfied customer. The best part of working here is the people because everyone is an expert in their field, they are open and friendly, and always willing to help.

My biggest inspiration is my Dad who instilled in me a strong work ethic by making me get a job when I was 12! He taught me that if you want anything in life, you have to work for it. Outside of work, I like to stay fit and active, and I enjoy doing sport and running. I like football too and I support my daughter who plays every Saturday. One unusual fact people will not know about me is that I once won a VW Golf on a scratch card!

I’m attempting to knock one off my bucket list by running my first 31 mile Ultra marathon on Sat 17th July, this is road and trail route through the Yorkshire Dales.

This will be a massive challenge for me as I’ve never run further than 16 mile before but hopefully be ready come July the 17th!

I’m doing this in memory of a friend and work colleague who we recently lost at Airmaster Air Conditioning, Michael Archbould, in the hope of trying to raise some money for the British Heart Foundation.

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/scott-wolstenholme3

Head of Design qualifies as CIBSE Low Carbon Consultant

Airmaster Air Conditioning Ltd — 17/01/2025

Airmaster’s Head of Design, James Dawson has passed his certification to become a CIBSE (Chartered Institution of Building Service Engineers) Low Carbon Consultant.

Lisa Pogson, Managing Director, said “James joined us in 2016 as our first Graduate and he brought great skills and knowledge from his training that helped us grow areas of design capacity of our organisation and enhance our Team ethos and culture too. This qualification increases his skills and gives us additional capacity around EPCs and design parameters. He is a really valued part of our senior management and is also our employee representative and Director on the Trust Board.”

The CIBSE certification for Low Carbon Consultant Design Management Specialist means that those qualified can confirm Part L2A Compliance against all 5 compliance Criteria, advise on energy efficiency and conservation, advise on and design low carbon and renewable technologies, use passive design technologies to make the best use of shade and natural ventilation and deliver the information needed to manage the building effectively and ensure that it continues to perform to its design intent after handover.

To find out more information about the certification please visit the website

https://www.cibsecertification.co.uk/personnel-certification-schemes/low-carbon-consultant-lcc/

unLTD Business - 2025 Vision - Lisa Pogson's column

Airmaster Air Conditioning Ltd — 24/01/2025

The next 12 months are all about “cautious optimism” for Lisa, who oversaw a year of game changing milestones and challenges at Airmaster in 2024.

The air conditioning and mechanical services company, based in South Yorkshire, celebrated a significant achievement last year – fully paying off its employee ownership trust.

“We’re now completely employee-owned, which is something we’re immensely proud of,” Lisa shares. However, despite some exciting developments, she acknowledged the fatigue felt by the team at the end of 2024, citing external factors like economic uncertainty and global events and how they can impact morale.

Looking ahead, Airmaster is focusing on consolidation and investing in its people. “We’ve decided to spend the first few weeks of 2025 on training and getting everyone up to speed,” she explains. This includes building on the company’s core values and targeting growth in new sectors while ensuring the business remains resilient amidst industry challenges, such as cash flow pressures and insolvencies in the construction sector.

Moving forward, Lisa highlighted the importance of continued collaboration within the South Yorkshire business community. “Just from attending events like the unLTD Awards last year, you can see there’s been a noticeable shift towards businesses working together. That exchange of ideas and mutual support can make a real difference, especially when times are tough.”

On a personal level, Lisa’s priorities include looking after her health and continuing to foster a culture of well-being at Airmaster. “Last year was difficult for me health-wise, so I’m hoping for a better year in that respect, and we’re working with organisations like Westfield Health and the Skills Bank to enhance our approach to employee wellbeing. When setting goals and aims for the year, wellbeing is something that doesn’t get spoken about enough.”

With a track record of overcoming challenges and a renewed focus on team development, the plan is to navigate 2025 with the same determination and adaptability that has driven their success so far. “We’ve achieved so much already,” Lisa says. “Now it’s about streamlining and shaping up for an even stronger future.”

To view the full magazine please click here https://issuu.com/unltdbusiness/docs/unltd_jan_25_web

unLTD Business feature: Celebrating 30 years in business

Airmaster Air Conditioning Ltd — 03/03/2023

South Yorkshire based businesses CQ Strategic Marketing, Agemaspark and Airmaster are all celebrating milestone anniversaries this year at 10 years, 20 years and 30 years respectively. They took part in a roundtable to discuss how doing business has changed during that time.

The panel was Chaired by Caroline Broad of Clarion Solicitors.

Lisa Pogson, managing director at Airmaster joined the mechanical services design and build business over 25 years ago that delivers energy efficient heating, cooling, ventilation, maintenance and small works nationally across a diverse range of sectors. Lisa has witnessed many changes in the sector, including the commitment to sustainability and the increasing importance in practice.

WHAT ATTRACTED YOU TO THE SECTOR/INDUSTRY?

My brother-in-law, Richard, started the business 30 years ago after deciding he wanted to go self-employed. At the time, I was helping him out as I had some experience in the sector, so I was assisting with bookkeeping and other tasks. After much persuasion, I joined the business part-time around 25 years ago and I am now the proud managing director, supported by our operations director and a great team around me.

WHAT IS IT THAT HAS KEPT YOU IN THE INDUSTRY?

I’ve always had a core interest in the property and building sector, especially with many of my family members working in trades. I love the commitment to innovation in the sector – during the COVID-19 pandemic, we worked on decentralising ventilation systems and our team did a significant amount of work in laboratories, aiming to eliminate COVID using technology within the ventilation systems.

HOW DO YOU GROW THE BUSINESS, FACE CHALLENGES AND CONTINUE TO PROMOTE THE SECTOR?

For me and for our staff, networking is key. Our team all have their own networks, whether this is within customers or with subcontractors and other links to the supply chains. This really helps us to stay ahead of the game, staying ahead of all the decisions that you have to make on a daily basis – the more information you can get using all of your contacts, the better.

FUTURE-PROOFING THE BUSINESS

On 1 July 2021, we became an employee-owned trust. As a business, we’ve always had quite a family feel and our view was that the team around us had helped to grow the business to what it was, so it seemed appropriate to look into how we could input incentives for this. Not only this, it allowed our most senior managers to exit the business, so everyone benefitted from this. There are always things you would do differently in hindsight, but generally it’s been an extremely positive experience and we really do have such a great team and it’s helped us to grow.

WHAT DOES THE FUTURE OF THE SECTOR HOLD?

It’s so interesting hearing Paul talking about Mars and space, as that is something I’d absolutely love to do. I think for us, 20 years ago I did my master’s degree in management and there was talk of sustainability already back then. In construction now, if you’re not looking at sustainability and how to be sustainable, you may as well forget it. Even to the point where we’re fitting an office, we look at the quality of the ventilation for the staff, how many plants there are and how close the access is to water so they can work properly, and all of that is the future for us. Saving money where we can is on everyone’s agenda at the moment too, and we’re always thinking of the net zero target.

www.airmaster.uk.com

To read the full article in October's unLTD Business magazine please visit: https://unltdbusiness.com/

To watch the video of the discussion, visit: https://youtu.be/S_6uVv2wB0U

What our people say - Meet Sam Foster, Junior CAD Technician - Apprenticeships

Airmaster Air Conditioning Ltd — 15/03/2021

Sam Foster, 16 from Ecclesfield in Sheffield started with Airmaster in September 2020 as a Junior CAD Technician.

Over the next 2.5 years he will be studying for his NVQ Level 3 Design and Draughting apprenticeship, in addition he will gain a Level 3 in Construction and the Built Environment. Sam will be studying on day release to T3 Training & Development Centre in Barnsley as well as working from Airmaster’s head office in Swallownest in South East Sheffield as part of the contracts team.

Lisa Pogson, Managing Director said “We are delighted to continue Airmaster’s track record with apprenticeships, investing and developing our people is important for the future growth of the business. We welcomed Sam to the team last year after he found the vacancy through one of our social media posts. He is already proving to be a valuable member of our team and is working on CAD on some of our major projects.”

To see our latest job vacancies please visit our careers page by clicking here.

Why the move to Employee Ownership 'made sense' to 'Airmaster family'!

Airmaster Air Conditioning Ltd — 01/07/2022

Air conditioning firm was founded in 1992 and established an employee ownership trust in July 2021 to help safeguard the culture it had already created as an ‘employee-driven’ business.

“Airmaster is a family-feel business with a close-knit team, the ethos of employee ownership was already there,” says Managing Director Lisa Pogson.

Recently marking 30 years since it was formed, South Yorkshire-based air conditioning experts Airmaster made the transition to employee ownership in July 2021.

The company, which has 37 employees, designs, installs and maintains bespoke energy-efficient systems for heating and cooling, commercial plumbing and ventilation from its Swallownest headquarters near Sheffield.

Founder Richard Pogson and Director Tony England had been talking about business succession options for when the time came for them to exit the company.

In 2016, Richard and Tony stepped away from the day-to-day running of Airmaster and then Resources Director Lisa became joint Managing Director with former Operations Director Mark Staniland.

When Lisa and Mark took over, they were considering the prospects of a management buyout (MBO), however, sadly Mark fell ill and passed away in 2019.

The possibility of trade sale was then on the table, before Airmaster opted for employee ownership – inspired by the success of other employee-owned businesses locally, such as Gripple – and created an employee ownership trust.

“We were delighted to transition to employee ownership and reward the staff for their commitment to the company,” Lisa added.

“People in our team are passionate and keen to take it forward as a business – and Gripple who we visited had shown us what they had done – it’ll be great to see people growing into different roles and growing the business itself.

“I feel really positive about what we have done. I’m so glad we didn’t sell it to a buyer and we kept it in the team, because we’ve put all the effort and hard work in. We had the possibility of being bought out and it felt like it wouldn’t stay with the same Airmaster ethos.

“I know if Mark is looking down, he would be really proud that we have done it this way because it’s something that we had looked at together, and for Richard and Tony it made sense to them.”

How it took just ‘months’ to transition to employee ownership

When potential buyers went away in December 2020, we discussed employee ownership as an alternative and after a “hectic” period, the transition was completed just a few months later.

“We had been advised it would take a long time, but the solicitor we got involved said that wasn’t the case and if you’ve already got that culture and mindset you just go for it,” she added. “We have a can-do attitude at Airmaster!”

Once the transition was complete, Airmaster held a Q&A with Richard, the Chairman, and its new independent trustee, Margaret Ferris, to give employees the opportunity to “digest the information” and then ask any follow-ups in a second Q&A.

Airmaster says “on the whole” the reaction of the employees was a positive one. A lot of the Concerns raised in these sessions were around people asking, ‘what are my responsibilities’ and ‘am I in debt?’. However, people “settled a bit” once they were reassured that “we hadn’t given them a big debt and they were just doing what they were doing before, they’ll just have more say and be able to get more out if it financially in the long run”.

Sitting alongside its original board of Tony England, Lisa Pogson (Managing Director) and Gareth Campbell (newly promoted to Operations Director), a trustee board was established which consists of Richard Pogson (Founder/Trustee), Margaret Ferris (Chair of the Trust) and Design Engineer James Dawson, who was made the employee trustee representative. Airmaster have also recently promoted new Directors, Ross Blackwood, pictured below left, (Contracts Director) and Andy Benson, pictured below right, (Finance Director), which helps to strengthen the team too.

Employee ownership a good ‘fit’ for Airmaster

James says having the trustee board has allowed that employee voice to be heard in a structured way, although he admits there had already been a culture of openness before Airmaster became employee-owned.

He said: “We are quite open anyway as a business – it doesn’t feel like a workplace, although it is, it’s the Airmaster family and it does feel like that.

“The one thing I found when I started working at Airmaster six years ago is that there’s not really that distinction between ‘I’m a new starter or an apprentice, I can’t go and speak to our chairman or MD’, I’ve never felt that at all.

“Before I got to know what employee ownership was, I think Airmaster already had the fundamentals of that model anyway, it’s always been employee driven.

“A lot of people here have worked their way up, our Operations Director Gareth started at 16 and I started as a graduate designer. It definitely fits the model that Airmaster had anyway, so it’s always made sense to me.

“The trustee board meetings we have now take that overview of what the business is doing. It provides that extra layer of making sure the decisions in the business are in the best interest of everyone.”

Office fit out case study - BOC, Rotherham

Airmaster Air Conditioning Ltd — 30/08/2024

Airmaster successfully completed the installation of air conditioning over two floors at BOC in Brinsworth, Rotherham.

Fit-Out Contractor: The DL Company, Sheffield

They installed multiple inverter-driven R32 cassette DX split systems. These cassettes were placed in the ceiling grid within the offices, training rooms and cellular spaces to provide independent heating or
cooling for the area where the user is working via a wall-mounted remote controller.

The installation included all interconnecting containment, refrigerant pipework, thermal insulation, controls wiring and condensate drainage. The condensers for the systems were located externally at the rear
ground level of the building for ease of servicing.

Remote controllers were installed for each system to provide independent heating or cooling for the area where the user is working.

The project was handed over with a user demonstration, O&M manual and commissioning certificates for ease of future maintenance and referencing.

The R32 systems installed offer a lower GWP (Global Warming Potential) compared to comparable R410a VRF systems—675 compared to 2088—which means they have a lower potential to contribute to climate change, making them a more sustainable choice.

Client Testimonial:

"The DL Company (Fit-out Contractor) offered a professional installation to a high standard. The initial proposal helped demonstrate layout options. The level of detail for the costs allowed for confidence in the proposal and final cost structures. Value was at the heart of the design, delivered on time and to budget. We would recommend DL for further schemes." Sally Williams, Head of Finance, BOC Limited, A Linde Company.

To view the full case study click here

Sheffield Man Takes on 108-Mile Ultra Challenge to Raise Funds for Alzheimer’s Society

Airmaster Air Conditioning Ltd — 14/05/2025

Scott Wolstenholme, 47, from Sheffield, is gearing up to tackle one of the UK’s toughest endurance events—the Montane Summer Spine Challenger South—to raise over £1,000 for Alzheimer’s Society.

Starting on Saturday 14th June the non-stop, 108-mile ultramarathon follows the Pennine Way from Edale to Hardraw, cutting through dramatic landscapes including Kinder Plateau, Malham Cove, and Pen-y-Ghent. With only one official aid station at mile 47 and a 60-hour time limit, the event demands extreme physical and mental endurance.

Scott, who is Maintenance Manager for Airmaster based in Swallownest, is undertaking the race solo and self-supported, explained his motivation:

“I’ve seen first-hand the toll Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia take—not only on those living with the disease but also on their carer’s. Family friends, and colleagues have both been affected in recent years.

It’s great to know that through this challenge, I can help support people living with dementia today and contribute to the search for a cure.”

To complete the route, Scott will carry all his food, water, and mandatory safety equipment—tripling the weight of his pack. He’s training intensively over the next 5 weeks with the goal of finishing in under 40 hours, even if it means sleeping rough along the trail.

Jade Smith, Senior Running Events Fundraising Manager at Alzheimer’s Society, praised Scott’s efforts:

“It’s wonderful that Scott is giving his time to support Alzheimer’s Society. Dementia devastates lives, but dementia won’t win.

Until the day we find a cure, we’ll be here to support anyone affected—wherever they are, whatever they’re going through. We need more people like Scott to unite with us against dementia.”

To sponsor Scott and support his fundraising efforts, visit:
👉 https://www.justgiving.com/page/scott-wolstenholme-1735219391333

From local 5Ks to international treks and cycling events, Alzheimer’s Society offers a wide range of ways to get involved. Find out more:
🌐 www.alzheimers.org.uk

First-class achievement for Sam

Airmaster Air Conditioning Ltd — 21/07/2023

This week, Design Engineer Intern, Sam Casadei officially graduated from The University of Sheffield with a first-class Honors for his MEng in Engineering (Energy and Sustainability). For Sam this was a very memorable day marking the end of 5 years at the university. Sam spent a year with Airmaster doing an internship from August 2021 before going back to university to complete his final year whilst continuing to work with Airmaster part time around his studies. He has returned full time to join #TeamAirmaster from 3rd July as a Mechanical Design Engineer.

Sam said “It has been a true rollercoaster ride, but after five years I am proud of my achievements, especially my final year dissertation on the utilisation of ventilation systems to reduce the spread of airborne pathogens. Thank you to the university staff, help from Airmaster Air Conditioning Ltd, and my family and friends - I truly couldn't have done it without you. Although this is the end of my journey at university, it marks the beginning of the rest of my engineering career, and I couldn't be happier to be back full time as a Design Engineer at Airmaster Air Conditioning Ltd.”

Ross Blackwood, Contracts Director said “This is a top accolade for a top individual, well done. We are proud to have you as part of our team!”

Lisa Pogson, Managing Director said “Over the last 2 years, Sam has become a key part of our team and we are delighted to see him achieve his first-class degree, he has worked hard and this is well-deserved recognition of his achievement. He played a key role in Airmaster gaining the Gold standard from the Supply Chain Sustainability School. We are so glad to welcome Sam back to the business full time. He will be continuing to work in the design team and helping in areas of growth such as sustainability, decarbonisation and net zero targets both for us and our customers. As ever, onwards and upwards for all our team."

Time to Get up to Speed with Sustainability

Airmaster Air Conditioning Ltd — 05/04/2023

After spending a day meeting local school children at Get up to Speed - a business showcase event organised by The work-wise Foundation held at Magna - unLTD Business heard from Lisa Pogson, MD at Airmaster, about her takeaways from the day and how she became re-energised about being more sustainable.

The STEM event focused on school children, had everything from underwater seals and 3D printers, to scale models of small scale nuclear reactors and the vast building even had a spitfire and a McLaren; the theme was around sustainability. There was plenty of energy in the room, with over 5,000 attending on the day.

It started with a business breakfast alongside many colleagues from across South Yorkshire, discussing how sustainability is chief among many customer requirements these days but can sometimes feels like we are just ticking a box. We are not, this is real! It gave me all that I needed to reenergise my thinking around this theme.

I reflected that, as SMEs, we can all make a difference. It is the small things as well as the big focus on Net Zero targets that count. Looking at lifecycles of equipment is an important consideration when selling or purchasing. How we have seen individuals make a difference, in the rise against single use plastics as basic as our everyday shopping with ‘bags for life’ and reusing containers, instead of disposal. I would love to meet David Attenborough and say ‘Thank You’ for pushing this!

Over 20 years ago, part of my studies around management of resources were focused on sustainability. Many small businesses I speak to, with only a few employees, think that they can’t have an impact and really don’t need a plan of how they can help. Always focused on the next big thing, the next project, who the next target customer should be. We are all the same. There are over 5.5 million small businesses in the UK, making up around half the turnover of UK business as a whole. We need to get onboard with this.

Years ago we started working with what was then the Green Business Club at the local Chamber of Commerce. The HVAC industry was cleaning up its act and we got a diagnostic on what else we could do. We started focusing on waste, whether it was recycling or what we did with our gases. It was ll about little wins, from focusing on fuel use through a member of staff doing ISO14001 environmental training.

Recently I have been asked to be included in a debate with the IOR about whether it is important to ‘Spend money on Energy Efficient Design or Service in Refrigeration’. This is once again about going back to the small things too. I often compare servicing of a vehicle to our equipment. If you buy the fanciest car in the world, with all mod cons, you will need to keep it serviced and maintained to a decent standard too. Everything has a life cycle and sometimes things can go wrong before that, but often, they will last longer if they are looked after.

At a recent Rotherham Business Growth Board we discussed how the people right at the end of our supply chains, if included in discussions and design processes, can have a positive effect on price and materials, often by 10-20%. So, let’s all think about how we can include more people in the discussions, wherever possible, and make those financial and sustainable gains, no matter how small!

You can read unLTD Business online here

#TeamAirmaster promotions and new apprentices

Airmaster Air Conditioning Ltd — 29/07/2022

A year on from becoming an employee ownership trust, Airmaster, based in Swallownest on the Sheffield/Rotherham border, have promoted Gareth Campbell to Operations Director, Andy Benson to Finance Director and Ross Blackwood to Contracts Director.

Gareth, pictured above left, who joined the business as an apprentice at 16, became Contracts Director in 2019 and now becomes Operations Director responsible for the Design, Contracts, Maintenance and Installation teams.

Andy, pictured above middle, joined the business in 2019 as Finance Manager after over 20 years with steel tank and pressure vessel manufacturer, Eddison and Wanless has been promoted to Finance Director.

Ross, pictured above right, who joined Airmaster in 2018 as a Project Engineer in the Contracts team now takes over from Gareth Campbell as Contracts Director.

James Dawson, below left, becomes Head of Design and Dan Birch, below right, moves from Design to Contracts becoming Junior Project Engineer. Ross, James and Dan were all part of the Airmaster team who completed 15k Tough Mudder in aid of the Master Cutlers Challenge early this year.

Lisa Pogson, Managing Director, said “This is great news for the business as we strengthen our leadership team and expand our team of engineers. At Airmaster we are always keen to support the skills development of our team.”

Airmaster have also taken on 2 new apprentices Max Brough, 18 comes from welding background, passed his CSCS Card in his first week and Owen Struggles, 17 joins straight from school at Aston Comprehensive. The new apprentices add to the team of installation engineers including Chad Lake, Brad Kimpton and Ash Sanderson who have all now completed their apprenticeships at Leeds College of Building with Chad becoming an Installation Engineers and Brad and Ash joining the team of Maintenance Engineers.

Contractor of Year Airmaster promote former apprentice to director

Airmaster Air Conditioning Ltd — 08/03/2019

As National Apprenticeship Week begins in March, leading Swallownest- based mechanical services company Airmaster, RAC Contractor of the Year, have just promoted former apprentice Gareth Campbell to contracts director.

Almost 100% of the Airmaster workforce have been apprentices in their careers, including founder director Richard Pogson and five of his six senior management team. Contracts director Gareth Campbell, became Airmaster’s first apprentice in 2000 when chairman Tony England joined to enable the next phase of growth.

Read the full story on the Airmaster website.

Lisa Pogson named Local Hero - North East at national industry awards

Airmaster Air Conditioning Ltd — 09/10/2023

Airmaster MD, Lisa Pogson has been recognised at the National Federation of Builders Top 100 Influential Women in Construction Awards at Edgbaston in Birmingham this week. She was presented with the Local Hero – North East Award at the black tie construction industry event on Wednesday 4th October.

Lisa-Jayne Cook (pictured left with Lisa), Chair of Women in RACHP (Refrigeration, Air Conditioning, and Heat Pumps) said “Lisa is nothing short of a change maker and a role model within the RACHP industry as well as her local community. Lisa has been a strong and visible role model to me and other women within our industry for many years, a real trail blazer! While we will battle on for women to be given the recognition they deserve, we have less of a struggle on our hands to find allies these days, and that’s all down to people like Lisa, who have walked the path before us. From everyone at the IOR and the IOR's Women in RACHP, a big congratulations to Lisa, we are proud to work with you.”

Lisa who has been in the construction industry for almost 40 years is a member of the Institute of Refrigeration and has been on their Women in RACHP for 4 years. She is a keen supporter of the development of skills, has been a STEM Ambassador for 14 years, is an Enterprise Advisor at a local school in Rotherham. She has worked with STEMamazing to highlight the construction industry to primary school children, has been a mentor for Sheffield Engineering Leadership Academy, and is also a board member at The Source Academy in Sheffield.

Following on from the success of the first Awards in 2022. NFB is pleased to announce the second awards for 2023. The awards celebrated women and non-binary role models within the construction industry. The evening will announce the winners from the shortlist of each category and also the overall Top 100 Most Influential Women in Construction.

More details on the awards can be found here…

https://www.builders.org.uk/awards-conferences/top-100-influential-women-in-construction/the-shortlist-2023/

Airmaster’s Max Brough has been Shortlisted at the Prestigious 2025 Barnsley & Rotherham Business Awards

Airmaster Air Conditioning Ltd — 12/11/2025

Airmaster is proud to announce that Design Apprentice, Max Brough, has been shortlisted for Apprentice of the Year at the 2025 Barnsley & Rotherham Business Awards. This recognition highlights our commitment to skills and apprenticeships within the building services and HVAC industry, and we are thrilled for Max to be considered alongside other leading apprentices in the region.

The Barnsley & Rotherham Business Awards, sponsored by Barnsley College, is one of the most highly anticipated events in the local business calendar. This year’s ceremony will take place on Friday, 14th November 2025, at Magna, where the best of South Yorkshire’s business community will come together to celebrate outstanding achievements across a wide range of categories.

Commenting on the announcement, Airmaster’s Managing Director, Lisa Pogson, said:

“We are delighted that Max has been shortlisted for Apprentice of the Year at this year’s Barnsley & Rotherham Business Awards. This recognition is a testament to his dedication, enthusiasm, and growth within the business. Apprentices are the future of our industry, and we’re incredibly proud to see Max’s hard work recognised at such a prestigious level. We look forward to celebrating with our peers in November at what promises to be an inspiring evening.”

Carrie Sudbury, CEO of Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber of Commerce, expressed the importance of the awards, stating:

“Being shortlisted for the Barnsley and Rotherham Business Awards is a significant achievement that speaks to the hard work, innovation, and dedication of your business. It highlights your contribution to our region’s economic growth and community spirit. Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition, and I look forward to celebrating your successes with you at the awards ceremony this November.”

The Barnsley & Rotherham Business Awards celebrate businesses and individuals who have demonstrated exceptional performance, innovation, and community impact across the region. Categories include Business Growth, Sustainability, Community Impact, and more, with the overall winner receiving the prestigious Business of the Year award.

For more information about the 2025 Barnsley & Rotherham Business Awards, visit www.brawards.co.uk.

Airmaster to Exhibit at Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber Construction Meet the Buyer Expo

Airmaster Air Conditioning Ltd — 04/02/2026

Airmaster is pleased to announce that we will be exhibiting at the Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber Construction Meet the Buyer Expo, taking place on Tuesday 11 February, from 9:30am to 12:30pm, at the Peter Elliott Suite, Holiday Inn Rotherham.

Proudly sponsored by Equans, this construction-focused Meet the Buyer Expo brings together a diverse range of local organisations, showcasing expertise, services, and innovation from across the South Yorkshire construction sector.

The event provides a valuable opportunity for businesses to connect face-to-face with industry buyers, explore new supply chain opportunities, and build meaningful relationships that support regional growth. Airmaster will be on hand to discuss our capabilities, share insight into our services, and explore potential collaborations with contractors, developers, and fellow suppliers.

Delegates attending the Expo will have the chance to:

Discover new and innovative construction suppliers
Build strategic connections with peers, buyers, and partners
Gain insight into regional developments and emerging industry trends
Identify new business and collaboration opportunities
Support the continued growth of the local construction community

Attendance is free of charge, making it an accessible and valuable event for organisations of all sizes.

Airmaster is proud to be exhibiting alongside a strong line-up of regional and national organisations, including Equans, Henry Boot Construction, Hargreaves Industrial Services, Hickton Quality Control, Energy Assets Construction, and many more.

We look forward to meeting delegates, strengthening relationships, and contributing to conversations that help shape the future of construction across South Yorkshire.

For further details about the event, visit: https://www.brchamber.co.uk/event/meet-the-buyer-construction-expo-2026/

Airmaster celebrates major win as Design Apprentice Max Brough is crowned Apprentice of the Year 2025

Airmaster Air Conditioning Ltd — 27/11/2025

Airmaster is delighted to announce that Max Brough, one of the company’s rising stars within its design team, has been named Apprentice of the Year at the prestigious Barnsley & Rotherham Business Awards 2025. The event took place on Friday, 14 November at Magna in Rotherham, where Max received his award from Jason Austin, CEO and Principal at category sponsor RNN Group in front of hundreds of business leaders from across the region.

Max’s achievement marks a proud moment for Airmaster and reflects an apprenticeship journey built on determination, curiosity and a genuine passion for engineering. Having joined Airmaster partway through his Level 3 apprenticeship as a site-based engineer, Max quickly demonstrated not only technical promise but a hunger to explore where he could make the biggest impact. His move into a design role, something he proactively requested, set him on a path where his strengths have flourished.

Now studying for a Level 5 HND at University Centre Rotherham alongside his role, Max has carved out an impressive reputation for applying theory directly into practice. He has introduced new AI tools to streamline design processes, contributed to sustainability initiatives, including carbon tracking, improved refrigerant-monitoring systems, and confidently represents Airmaster at client meetings and industry events. His enthusiasm for STEM outreach has also seen him engage with hundreds of young people, sharing his career story and helping demystify engineering for future talent.

L-R Lesley McNeill, Jo Mills, Lisa Pogson, Max Brough, Jackie Cook, Nico Elton, Lee Unwin, Lisa Walker

“We couldn’t be prouder of Max,” said Lisa Pogson, Managing Director of Airmaster. “His drive, creativity and maturity shine through every project he takes on. He’s constantly seeking ways to improve not only his own skills but the wider business, and he has become a real ambassador for both Airmaster and our industry. This recognition is incredibly well deserved.”

L-R Colin MacLachlan, Event host and SAS veteran, best-selling author and former SAS: Who Dares Wins instructor; Max Brough; Jason Austin, CEO and Principal

“Winning this award means a great deal,” said Max Brough. “I’ve been given opportunities to learn, experiment and push myself, and I’m incredibly grateful to the whole team at Airmaster for their support. I’m excited to keep developing and to contribute even more to our projects and the engineering community.”

Airmaster’s commitment to nurturing early-career talent is central to its long-term growth strategy, and Max’s success underscores the value of investing in apprentices who bring fresh thinking, ambition and a willingness to challenge the status quo.

Airmaster shortlisted for not one but two regional awards!

Airmaster Air Conditioning Ltd — 30/08/2024

Airmaster has been shortlisted in the SME of the Year category at the Make UK Manufacturing Awards for the North East, Yorkshire and Humber to be held on Thursday 17^th October 2024 at the Rameside Hotel in Co. Durham.

The award has been developed to champion businesses with less than 250 employees who have blazed a trail within the manufacturing sector. They will have led by example and developed progressive best practice for others in the industry. They will have shown exceptional initiative, boldness and dynamism, as well as exemplary management practices.

Airmaster has also been shortlisted in the Medium Business of the Year category at the Connect Yorkshire Business Awards to be held on Thursday 28^th November 2024 at The Royal Armouries in Leeds.

The award highlights businesses that have achieved sustainable growth, innovation, and operational excellence. The judges are looking for businesses that strike the right balance, contribute to job creation, and drive economic progress in their sectors.

2023/2024 has been a record year for Airmaster with the business growing to £12m turnover and them completing their largest ever project a circa £4million fit out of a full office building, for a customer of over 20 years, the project has been a team effort working to a tight programme and the standard of workmanship from all the trades was outstanding.

Lisa Pogson, Managing Director, said “We are delighted to have been shortlisted for these two regional awards, we have a great team at Airmaster and this is recognition of their efforts which has led to the business growth and new projects we have taken on in the last couple of years. We will also be celebrating the completion of our transition to become an employee-owned business soon.”

Airmaster Shortlisted for Prestigious 2024 Barnsley & Rotherham Business Awards

Airmaster Air Conditioning Ltd — 07/10/2024

Airmaster is proud to announce that it has been shortlisted for the Business Growth Award at the 2024 Barnsley & Rotherham Business Awards. This recognition highlights our commitment to excellence within the construction industry, and we are thrilled to be considered alongside other leading businesses in the region.

The Barnsley & Rotherham Business Awards, sponsored by Barnsley College, is one of the most highly anticipated events in the local business calendar. This year’s ceremony will take place on Friday, 8th November 2024, at Magna, where the best of South Yorkshire’s business community will come together to celebrate outstanding achievements across ten different categories.

Lisa Pogson, Managing Director, said “We are delighted to have been shortlisted for a third regional award, we have a great team at Airmaster and this is recognition of their efforts which has led to the business growth and new projects we have taken on in the last couple of years. We will also be celebrating the completion of our transition to become an employee-owned business soon.”

Carrie Sudbury, CEO of Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber of Commerce, expressed the importance of the awards, stating:

"Being shortlisted for the Barnsley and Rotherham Business Awards is a significant achievement that speaks to the hard work, innovation, and dedication of your business. It highlights your contribution to our region’s economic growth and community spirit. Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition, and I look forward to celebrating your successes with you at the awards ceremony this November."

For more information about the 2024 Barnsley & Rotherham Business Awards, visit www.brawards.co.uk

Airmaster joins leading Yorkshire industry network

Airmaster Air Conditioning Ltd — 07/09/2018

Airmaster are delighted to announce that we have joined the leading Yorkshire manufacturing and engineering membership group Made in Yorkshire. We are a leading mechanical services company which designs, manufactures, installs and maintains bespoke energy efficient heating and air conditioning systems for most market sectors across the UK.

Like many other fellow members, we have joined Made in Yorkshire to share best practice, win new business, collaborate, raise our profile and source local suppliers.

With over 25 years’ experience, we have gained industry-wide recognition for our excellent and consistent delivery and become one of the leading contractors in the UK. Our growth, both financially and among our team of dedicated experts, is a credit to our company values and ethos.

We are passionate about bringing comfort to any private or public sector environment or turnkey project and have the capacity and in-house expertise to successfully deliver on a small or large scale.

We have grown significantly from our early days in 1992 as a ‘man and van’ style operation with £80,000 turnover to recorded success of £10m+ for 2017. We believe our achievements are down to the focus we place on business improvement and development, the hard work and efforts of our 40+ staff and the growing clients base which now extends across the UK and includes healthcare consortiums of doctors and dentists, school academies, shop fitters, factories, offices, leisure centres and gyms, corporate buildings, supermarkets, shops and restaurants.

Our Joint MD Lisa Pogson is proud to be a STEM ambassador, women in refrigeration advocate, regional literacy charity Trustee and blow the Yorkshire Trumpet as the first ever female president of Barnsley-Rotherham Chamber of Commerce.

In Made in Yorkshire, we are excited to join an industry network of ‘movers and makers’ who are proactively bringing together our region’s engineering and manufacturing firms from all sectors, intent on creating a lasting legacy and ensuring the long- term prosperity of industry in this region. Doing well by doing good is our motto at Airmaster, and in joining the growing #MIYFAMILY network, we believe we can all do this together to benefit others.

Second Annual MAMS Trophy Memorial Golf Day Held at Hillsborough Golf Club

Airmaster Air Conditioning Ltd — 24/09/2025

Vent Direct hosted the second annual MAMS Trophy Memorial Golf Day at Hillsborough Golf Club, bringing together colleagues, friends, and industry partners to honour the memory of two much-loved members of #TeamAirmaster: Joint Managing Director, Mark Staniland, who passed away from Sarcoma in 2019, and Senior Contracts Manager, Michael Archbould, who passed away aged 32 from ARVC inherited cardiac disease in 2020.

Building on the success of last year’s inaugural event, the day once again combined friendly competition with a strong sense of community and remembrance. Players from Airmaster and Vent Direct joined together to celebrate the lives of Michael and Mark – both remembered not only for their professional contribution but also their friendship and generosity.

Lisa Pogson, Managing Director at Airmaster, said: "Michael and Mark remain very much in our hearts, and it means a great deal to us to be able to bring people together in their memory. The MAMS Trophy is not just about golf – it’s about celebrating their lives and values. We are so grateful to everyone who took part and contributed to making this event such a success again."

The competition was keenly contested, with prizes presented for individual and team performances:

Nearest the Pin: John Brocklebank, Technical Sales Manager at Vent Direct

Longest Drive: Ross Blackwood, Contracts Director at Airmaster

2nd Place: Danny Ellis, Air Movement Technology

Winner: Lee Rodgers, Air Movement Technology

Wooden Spoons: Joey Marshall, Vent Direct, and for the second year running, Charlie Fisher, Maintenance Engineer at Airmaster

Overall Company Trophy: Vent Direct, collected by Simon Latimer, Business Partner

Airmaster extends special thanks to Vent Direct, all the players and supporters who made the day possible. Plans are already in motion for the third MAMS Trophy Memorial Golf Day in 2026.

Airmaster promotes a Senior Project Manager to their Maintenance team

Airmaster Air Conditioning Ltd — 07/02/2022

Project Engineer, Scott Wolstenholme who has worked in Airmaster’s Contracts team for the last 3 years is moving over to the maintenance department as Senior Contracts Manager.

Scott will be responsible for attracting more work from the Refrigeration sector, bringing our existing customers up to date with what Airmaster can offer as an Air Conditioning & Refrigeration company.

Scott said “I will be working closely with our Maintenance/service engineers, with the aim of providing technical support, using some of my 25 years’ experience as a Refrigeration Engineer whilst on the road. I will still be carrying out site surveys and tenders for a variety of works which can include anything from small/large AC or refrigeration installations, cold rooms, clean rooms, ventilation systems, thermal insulations works as well as maintenance and service contracts.”

Lisa Pogson, Managing Director said “We are delighted to have promoted Scott into this new role. Our aim is to support our existing customers and attract additional clients to the maintenance department who are looking for a refrigeration specialist. Our maintenance team will benefit further from his expertise. This will enhance our team of skills looking after air conditioning, plumbing and heating systems.”

Airmaster appoints new Senior Contracts Manager in their maintenance department

Airmaster Air Conditioning Ltd — 03/06/2021

Lee Martin, 31, from Lowedges, Sheffield, joined #TeamAirmaster at the end of March as Senior Contracts Manager in the Maintenance Department.

Lee had previously worked with Airmaster colleagues Michael Archbould and Ross Blackwood as their apprentice at SES in their Sheffield office and was approached by Ross to join the team at Airmaster.

Lee said, “Everyone has made me feel welcome, getting to know people and learning new skillsets. As this role is an office-based role with only a 20-minute commute to work it gives me a better work-life balance.”

Lee undertook a 4-year apprenticeship gaining NVQ City & Guilds Level 3 HVAC through block release to Leeds College of Building whilst working at SES, whose Head Office is in York. Before starting his apprenticeship, Lee had done work experience as a plumber.

In 2006, Lee joined an M&E fit out contracting company based in Derby as a Project Manager where he has spent 4 years working on sites in London.

In 2011 he took 6 months out to go travelling in Australia and New Zealand, he travelled independently staying in hostels before meeting up with a friend in New Zealand where they hired a campervan to tour the country, experienced various things including the highest bungy jump in New Zealand the 134m Nevis bungy jump, along with a 15,000Ft sky dive over Franz Josef Glacier!

2011 was the year of adventure and travel for Lee as he also visited Las Vegas, the Grand Canyon and went on the Skywalk - the breath-taking 10-foot wide, horseshoe-shaped glass bridge which extends 70 feet out over the rim of the Grand Canyon, giving a clear view 4,000 feet to the Canyon floor below! Lee also visited Florence, Pisa and the Montepulciano region of Tuscany.

Airmaster Dedicates Feathers to Former Colleagues as Part of Rotherham Hospice Appeal

Airmaster Air Conditioning Ltd — 16/08/2025

Airmaster has honoured the memory of two much-loved colleagues by dedicating feathers in their names as part of the Rotherham Hospice Feather Appeal at Wentworth Woodhouse.

The Feather Appeal is a poignant community project, offering families, friends, and organisations the chance to dedicate a hand-crafted steel feather in memory of a loved one. The feathers are displayed within the grounds of Wentworth Woodhouse, creating a striking and heartfelt tribute.

Airmaster has chosen to dedicate two feathers to Joint Managing Director, Mark Staniland, and Senior Contracts Manager, Michael Archbould.

Mark Staniland passed away in 2019 after being diagnosed with Sarcoma, a rare and aggressive form of bone and soft tissue cancer. He was a hugely respected leader at Airmaster and a driving force in the company’s growth and culture.

Just a year later, the Airmaster family suffered another heartbreaking loss when Michael Archbould passed away at the age of just 32 from ARVC (Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy), a rare inherited cardiac disease. Michael was a dedicated and talented member of the team, well-liked by colleagues and clients alike for his professionalism, positivity, and commitment.

By dedicating these feathers, Airmaster has created a lasting tribute to Mark and Michael — recognising the invaluable contribution both men made to the business, and ensuring their legacy lives on.

Lisa Pogson, Managing Director of Airmaster, said: “Mark and Michael were not only valued colleagues but also dear friends to many of us at Airmaster. Their passing left a huge gap in our team, and we continue to miss them every day. Dedicating these feathers is a way of keeping their memory alive, while also supporting the incredible work of Rotherham Hospice. It means a great deal to us to know their names will be part of such a meaningful tribute in such a beautiful setting.”

Airmaster continues to support local charities and community initiatives, with this dedication reflecting the company’s commitment to honouring those who have shaped its journey and values.

For more details of the feather appeal please visit the Rotherham Hospice website at: https://www.rotherhamhospice.org.uk/support-us/feather-appeal/

To book a garden ticket to visit the field of memories please visit the Wentworth Woodhouse website at: https://wentworthwoodhouse.org.uk/whats-on/meadow-of-memories-rotherham-hospice-feather-appeal/

Airmaster are holding their second annual MAMS Memorial Golf Day with key supplier Vent Direct on Friday 5th September 2025.

A unique challenge set in refrigeration tasked in one of York's most stunning buildings

Airmaster Air Conditioning Ltd — 12/03/2020

Airmaster was presented with a unique challenge in refrigeration when tasked with the refurbishment of two chillers in one of York’s most stunning buildings. The chiller systems which run throughout the 6-story building were circa 27 years old and required a number of significant repairs for future system resilience and life span longevity. With such old systems in place, parts were now obsolete and more importantly inefficient. The core focus of this project was to modernise the existing chiller systems making them more durable and efficient to compete with modern-day chiller technology, all while offering a great value engineering solution beneficial to the end-users budgets.

The heart of this chiller refurbishment lies in the basement where the compressors, evaporators and control panels are situated....

Read the full story on the Air Conditioning Sheffield website.

‘Your story matters’ says Women's Charity at YWCA Listening Project Launch

Airmaster Air Conditioning Ltd — 03/03/2025

South Yorkshire women’s charity joins regional leaders, friends and supporters today (3 March 2025) to officially launch a poetry series co-produced by Rachel Bower and the women of YWCA Yorkshire.

The launch was hosted in the Lord Mayor’s Parlour at Sheffield Town Hall and attended by The Lord Mayor of Sheffield, Cllr Jayne Dunn, The Mayor of Rotherham, Cllr Sheila Cowen and the Civic Mayor of Doncaster, Cllr Julie Grace, as well as supporters of the YWCA Listening Project and the women of YWCA Yorkshire including Airmaster's MD Lisa Pogson.

The YWCA Listening Project ran throughout 2024, collecting hundreds of lived experiences from women through workshops, one-to-one conversations and anonymous letters.

These stories were crafted into a series of ten linked poems by poet, author, and women’s advocate Rachel Bower; ‘Look how far you have come.’ The poetry series is being released ahead of International Women’s Day, 8 March 2025, to raise awareness of the challenges faced by women and to signpost support.

Whilst the YWCA Listening Project listened to the voices of women in South Yorkshire, the message to all women everywhere is that ‘your story matters’.

The poems describe the journeys, successes, friendships and hopes for the future as told by young women supported by YWCA Yorkshire. Themes explored throughout the YWCA Listening Project include homelessness, domestic abuse, financial hardship, trauma, parenting, sexual violence, exploitation and relationship breakdowns.

Author, Rachel Bower, said, “It has been an honour to listen to the experiences, feelings and hopes of women in this project. I'm grateful to the women who trusted me with their stories, and I hope the poems do justice to the huge range of experiences the women shared.

Projects like this are important as everyone has a story to tell, but sometimes people feel that they haven’t ever really been listened to before. It can be transformational when people are offered the chance to connect with other people and explore their experiences in creative ways.”

Today’s launch marks the first in a series of regional International Women’s Day events that will see the charity share learning and stories from the YWCA Listening Project. Supporters from the business, health, education and charity communities have gifted their platforms and speaker spots, amplifying women’s voices and signposting support across a range of networks.

The YWCA Listening Project will be featured at unLTD Business Expo 5 March, South Yorkshire Police and South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Violence Against Women and Girls event 7 March, Barnsley and Rotherham Chamber International Women's Day event 7 March, Voluntary Action Rotherham International Women’s Day event 7 March, South Yorkshire Women’s Network Conference 10 March and an installation hosted by Northern College 12 March.

By joining the broader International Women’s Day conversation, the charity aims to reach more women and support them to speak up and speak out about their experiences. YWCA Yorkshire Chief Exec, Tracy Gollins, explains. “Evolving from one of the oldest women’s organisations in the world, our charity works to empower women to advocate for themselves and each other. By sharing our learning from the YWCA Listening Project, we hope to engage more people to listen to and understand the challenges faced by women and girls. And to signpost the vital support that is available to women through community, charity, and third sector organisations local to them.”

Through a mix of housing and trauma-informed services, YWCA Yorkshire supports 250 women children and families to create better futures in South Yorkshire.

The book of poems ‘Look how far you have come’ was sponsored by Wesco Anixter EMEA’s Women's Impact Network (WIN) business resource group. Joanne Broomhead from WIN, said, “As a women’s network we're proud to be supporting the women of YWCA Yorkshire to tell their stories through poetry. Today we celebrate all women everywhere who lift each other up, empower each other, and advocate for change. We’re thrilled to be part of this movement to support women in telling their often unheard and misunderstood stories, because all women everywhere need to know, their story matters!”

Wesco Anixter represents the international go-to-market brand of Wesco and brings to life the company's mission to build, connect, power and protect the world to its customers and supplier partners in the regions of APAC, CALA and EMEA.

Alongside the publication of the poetry book, YWCA Yorkshire has released a video of the poem ‘Sunflowers’ and is calling on communities to help spread awareness and signpost vital support by sharing this video https://bit.ly/YWCAsunflowers

The spoken word recordings and music production by Hybrid3 were sponsored by Together Housing and the video, produced by LensGo, was sponsored by Roy Hatfield Group.

People can order their own print of ‘Look how far you’ve come’ and donate to YWCA Yorkshire in support of women and girls here: https://bit.ly/YWCApoetrybook

Case study - Office fit out, mechanical install - AESSEAL, Rotherham

Airmaster Air Conditioning Ltd — 14/02/2025

Sector: Office fit out

Contract: Mechanical install

Airmaster installed a new high efficiency Mitsubishi Hybrid system to the new modernised office space at AESSEAL, whose global headquarters are based in Rotherham, South Yorkshire.

Over the years regulations are ever-changing to lower the impact of air conditioning refrigerants on the environment and reduce global warming. The team at AESSEAL tasked Airmaster to provide them with sustainable air conditioning systems which target both their energy efficiency conscious operations and further reduces their impact on global warming. The system will also ensure the internal office environment is adaptable to the constant climate changes.

The project installation was for a highly energy-efficient Mitsubishi Electric R32 Hybrid HVRF system which has a lower global warming potential (GWP) of 675 over its R410a VRF predecessor in 2018. This system also utilises a hybrid between refrigerant and hydraulic water to provide simultaneous heating and cooling to the office space, further reducing the GWP potential.

Primary ductwork modifications were carried out to deliver fresh air to the void-mounted fan coil units which precondition fresh air prior to distribution into the office space. Then new secondary ductwork which was connected, thermally insulated, and balanced onto linear grilles was installed the full length of the office space. Hybrid systems utilise part refrigerant / part hydraulic water, therefore requiring a category 5 break tank, PRV, pressure monitoring and distribution pipe work to the HVRF selector box for filling of the hydraulic water circuits of the system.

The system is controlled via a central touch screen intelligent controller, allowing multi functional zoning, time control and system diagnostics, along with integration to the building’s automatic BMS controls system using BACnet protocol.

This project was completed in August 2024, with the second phase of the project commencing in February 2025 in another part of the large AESSEAL Rotherham facilities. This will be followed by additional works later in the year to de-carbonise the building further by removing the existing gas boilers and installing more energy efficient systems utilising similar technology as their warehouse heating. It’s been great to work alongside such a forward-thinking company who share our desire to move towards systems with higher efficiency and lower GWP potential.

“The installation of the first-floor hybrid system was completed with the upmost professionalism, integrity and care. The support from Airmaster in the office was outstanding along with the support the engineers showed, which was brilliant.

The lead time from placing the order to the kit arriving and being installed was a really good turnaround. I have had feedback from those within that office saying how grateful they are of the upgrade and can tell the difference with the new system.”

Billie Clark, Facilities Maintenance & Project Co-Ordinator, AESSEAL

To read the full case study and download as a PDF please visit our website here

unLTD Business Interview: Riding the Rollercoaster

Airmaster Air Conditioning Ltd — 19/01/2024

The Managing Director of Airmaster, Lisa Pogson, is a much-admired face on the South Yorkshire business community. A trustee for Children’s Literary Charity Grimm and Co as well as a former President of Barnsley and Rotherham Chamber of Commerce, she works tirelessly, not just to make sure Airmaster continues to grow, but for a number of other causes that are close to her heart. We caught up with Lisa to find out how she made it to the top in a traditionally male-dominated industry and what obstacles she had to overcome.

How did you get involved in this industry?

So, it started at 16. I began working as an apprentice in an architectural practice in Sheffield in 1985, working through various building/contracting type businesses (QS, Structural Engineers and a local SME Main Contractor). Then in the late 90s,

due to the recession in the building industry, I ended up doing four years at Sheffield Hallam University as an administrator turned timetabler in the School of Computing and Management Sciences. It was a leap of faith going from a small business that had one computer for wages/payroll to a massive organisation like SHU. It blew my mind, as I’d got access to all these courses and learning; I had not left school with many GCSEs or anything, so had started going to night school, eventually doing an HND in Business Studies and then a Masters following that. I mean everyone thinks AI is this brand-new tool, but I can remember the Computer and Management Science School at Hallam were teaching AI back then, 25 years ago!

You weren’t a natural academic, then?

God, no! I couldn’t wait to leave school but the people that I met at Hallam just opened my eyes to lots of things. I enjoyed learning from the people around me and being able to apply

it there and then. It’s not necessarily the tutor or the facilitator, it’s the people you meet. In fact, I still find that today and it’s why I love being a part of things like 3D Connect (Andy Hanselman Ltd’s monthly networking and personal development sessions), Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber and Connect Yorkshire.

How did that lead to the opportunity at Airmaster?

Well, Airmaster was started 1992 by my brother-in-law, Richard Pogson. He knew I had knowledge and interest in this industry, and he would ask me questions about tax, sub-contracting etc. For a few years, I helped him sort things like the wages at the weekend as well as general support then in 1995 I said he needed to get someone in because the business was growing, and I couldn’t carry on helping him in my spare time. He did bring someone in, his wife to be, but they got busier, so I kept helping with bits at the weekend and he paid me part time. Then in 2000, when I was working at the University and doing my Masters, he asked me to work full-time as Office Manager. It was very ‘old school construction’ in terms of attitude and internal processes at that time. Lots of HR things needed sorting, loads of things around processes were needed. It needed a bit more organising. Anybody that knows me now laughs about that, but at the time, I was very focused, very organised, colour coded etc. Richard’s wife Sara worked with me and by this point Tony England had joined as Commercial Director and was helping Richard run the business. I liked and respected him too and knew he’d help drive the business in the right direction; it was a great team, it grew quickly.

So why were you so organised then but not so much now?

Well, I became a mum! I was 39 and I wasn’t planning on having kids, to be honest. I was back at work within a few weeks which was probably not the best thing in hindsight, but at the time I needed to get back to work. My husband was a subcontractor so didn’t earn regular money and we needed my wage. I’ve always worked seven days a week from being 16, so the work didn’t worry me, but becoming a mum made me go: ‘Oh my God! I’m not a mum!’ It was the lack of sleep and fitting in a little one. I found it really hard to keep on top of everything – something has to give. It was extremely stressful. Work was busy. The 12 months after I had a baby was then the best and busiest time, we’d ever had at Airmaster!

So how did you end up running the business?

Mark Staniland came and joined in 2007 and in 2008 we had the best year ever. Mark was a really sales-focused guy who had a real passion for what we were doing. But long story short, in 2009 we were heading to the recession and crisis point, but we didn’t know it. We weren’t making as much money as we thought or capturing everything financially on the projects. It became really clear that some jobs we thought were coming in, were being stalled or put off, some people didn’t pay us quick enough, so it was a perfect storm. We could see we were going to run out of cash, and we sat down with all the staff, as a team, through the proper process, and said:

“We either have to make some redundancies or we do some short time working. What do you want to do?”

The staff that were productive and out in the field mostly worked full time, while some people worked four days and others offered to work five days but only got paid for four. We talked to all the suppliers too and they were brilliant, giving us longer credit so we could trade through it. And we did. As soon as we had the money, we paid back all of the staff that had ‘gifted’ hours. I feel that stood us in good stead for when we did the EOT [Employee Ownership Trust]. Eventually we put in put in a cheeky offer for this disused pub and turned it into our office. I even remortgaged my house to help pay for it! But it was a double dip recession, so I think that, as well as the move made Richard and Tony realise that they wanted to exit the business at some point in the future.

We had a growth coach involved from Business Link called Richard Lukey and when that ceased to exist, he put us in touch with John Barnett to help work out the best way of growing the business in a way to be able to facilitate an eventual slow stepping out of the business and then a buyout. We were £4m turnover at that point, so if we plotted it to get to £5m, £6m then £7m profitable turnover we could make it work. We made a plan, and we smashed that target. Me and Mark became joint MD in 2016.

So, do you think sometimes businesses fail just because they don’t have a focus or a plan like you had at this time?

Well, from my point of view, there are always things you can control and things you can’t. We’re all winging it to some extent but I’m a firm believer in going with your gut and knowing your numbers. Andy, our FD, has our trust and secondly, he always aims to know the numbers. I’m a realistic optimist; sales-focussed people are brilliant, and it is what every business needs. It is important to be focused on all the numbers, what all the costs involved are but they’re not always in control of the end numbers. It is really important to keep focused and help that process. Gareth Campbell, our Ops Director is great at that.

So, we had this three-year plan and did it in two years; we grew from £4m turnover to £7m. So, it was like 'wow!' but what are we going to do now? We’ve smashed that target so what was next? Richard and Tony did step out of the business for a while and we did well for a while, but then we had a really tough year in contracting and unfortunately Mark became very ill [Mark died in 2019 and it’s had a profound effect on Lisa] and so eventually, after looking at other options, the EOT became the logical route. The success of the business in the following few years meant we could start to afford to buy out the shareholders and trade successfully going forward and what helped lead to the EOT.

You’ve mentioned that running the business feels like riding a rollercoaster. What are the ups and downs now?

It’s the cycles you go through. Dealing with staff, cash and contracting, design, build and manufacturing on site; people have things happen in their lives and they need support. We lost two members of staff here and you get very attached emotionally. I know it can be a strength and a weakness of mine, but we really are like a family. And like all families, it can feel dysfunctional sometimes!

Then there’s dealing with external pressures like inflation and the peaks and troughs of the economy. Construction and manufacturing is always at the forefront of that – the metals market goes up and down constantly. Energy bill rises have hit manufacturing businesses really hard. All those cycles - economy, the effects of people’s lives have on the team - it all creates that rollercoaster effect. We are riding the highs and lows. Sometimes it’s knowing when to get off, knowing when to say ‘I can’t control this.’ You could have the best six months ever but while everyone else is enjoying that, I’m thinking about what’s coming around the corner. I understand that can seem like a pessimistic view, but it is being aware of the ‘what-ifs?’ and having an eye on the big picture, wherever possible.

Is that part of the skill of being a leader… not getting too high in the highs and too low in the lows?

For me it is, yeah, absolutely. Celebrating success is so important but you need to be always looking to the horizon and what’s coming around the corner. Things come left and right field (Covid for instance). Celebrating success is what we want to do more of as a business, being proud of what we do.

You do stuff outside of your role at Airmaster, sitting on the board at Grimm and Co, you’re an ex-Barnsley and Rotherham Chamber President, for example. Do you ever feel like you are too busy?

Probably, yes. I don’t know why but I’ve got to always be doing lots of things. I’m a people pleaser to some extent, but I am inherently interested in lots of things. It’s my researching mind!

And I guess where education didn’t necessarily get the best out of you, you found value in employment. It must be important to you to be seen to be making a difference in the workplace?

I think that came right back from my first job/bosses and even my tutor at Rotherham College, Richard and Tony, all my colleagues now. Every day is a learning day. Lots of people have put their faith in me and trusted me to do a job so I feel grateful that I have had that chance and I want to pay that forward. I won an award recently for being a 'local hero' which someone else put me forward for and that really meant a lot, as it really got to the heart of what makes me tick. I was overwhelmed and grateful for that.

You’re a female boss in a male-dominated industry. I know it’s not something you particularly focus on, but does that mean you have had to adapt your leadership style.

Well, I’ve come across some pretty atrocious behaviour over the years from leaders in this industry - and not just from men! I think sometimes some women have felt like they needed to live up to a certain stereotype and I’m not like that. I’ve probably seemed a bit too fluffy at times, but if someone needs an arm around their shoulder then I’m the sort of person who will do that. And it takes some time to develop your style, doesn’t it? That comes with experience. I’ve seen younger folk more used to working under a more assertive style of leadership feel the need to mimic that. It is good to look at other leaders and role models.

Do you think your people skills are what make you a good leader?

I think I see a lot of strengths in people and seeing how they can develop and learn. But on the flip side, one of my weaknesses is that I have sometimes not dealt with things straight away and let them fester. I remember reading Richard Branson’s book years ago and he always prided himself on his people skills and getting on with his team, but he could never deal with the hiring and firing. I can relate to that! I find that really difficult, but I think, if they’re honest, a lot of leaders feel the same.

Thanks, Lisa.

Lisa Pogson was recently recognised at the National Federation of Builders Top 100 Influential Women in Construction Awards as the Local Hero – North East Award.

If you would like to know more about Airmaster’s air conditioning services, head to airmaster.uk.com.

Airmaster Celebrates 20 Years of Investors in People Accreditation

Airmaster Air Conditioning Ltd — 25/06/2025

Airmaster is proud to announce that it has once again been successfully reaccredited with the prestigious Investors in People (IIP) standard, marking an incredible 20 years of continuous recognition. This milestone reflects Airmaster’s ongoing commitment to valuing, developing, and empowering its people.

Achieving and maintaining IIP accreditation for two decades is a testament to the strong culture at Airmaster, where people are at the heart of the business. The IIP framework recognises organisations that demonstrate excellence in leading, supporting, and managing their teams – all essential components of Airmaster’s core values.

Lisa Pogson, Managing Director at Airmaster, commented:

“We’re incredibly proud to be reaccredited by Investors in People for the 20th consecutive year. This achievement reflects our belief that #TeamAirmaster is central to everything we do. Continued skills development and learning are not just buzzwords here – they are embedded in how we grow as a business and support the wellbeing and progression of every team member. It’s our people that drive innovation and success, and we’re committed to fostering a culture where they thrive.”

As the business continues to evolve and meet new industry challenges, Airmaster remains dedicated to investing in its people through structured development, collaborative culture, and a focus on wellbeing – ensuring the team remains its strongest asset for years to come.

Team Airmaster’s mission to connect and support Yorkshire during COVID-19

Airmaster Air Conditioning Ltd — 22/06/2020

Founded in 1992, Airmaster air conditioning has always resided in South Yorkshire. As we have grown into a 35-employee team with £9m annual turnover, we have always stayed true to our core values. These values centre around how we can help both customers and the community.

We have responded and adapted to the COVID-19 situation by providing extra support for existing customers. This includes additional cleaning, disinfection and maintenance to ensure the safety of ventilation and air circulation systems in their premises. We’re also working hard to service critical areas including hospitals, supermarkets, data centres and petrol stations to ensure their safety and continuation.

Thankfully, operations continue and we’re able to help the wider Yorkshire community because of our fantastic team. We want to give a special thanks to members of team Airmaster going the extra mile for their amazing work optimising downtime.

James Dawson, a design engineer, developed a fast response by turning around a technically illustrated risk assessment methods to help solve previous barriers posing a safety risk during this pandemic. Here is an illustrated method detailing installing mechanical components that normally requires two operative’s working in close proximity but now allows social distancing to be maintained.

Senior staff, Gareth Campell and Ian Fisher, played an important role in reaching out to key sectors responsible for keeping Britain going to offer support.

Lisa Pogson, Airmaster MD, has been leading by example and sponsoring face shields across our local area, focusing on care homes to protect the most vulnerable. She has journeyed as far as Leeds to donate dozens of visors to Martin House Hospice, who support young people with life-limiting conditions.

Engineers that are not working in critical areas have also been donating Airmaster face shields to care homes and testing facilities around Rotherham and Swallownest.

Everyone has gone out of their way working together to help the wider Yorkshire community during tough times and we’re proud to have trained up such an amazing team of people from apprentices right up to directors who embody the spirit of helping others where we can.

Role model Ian inspires young people into construction careers

Airmaster Air Conditioning Ltd — 07/09/2018

As GCSE results are announced and millions of young people consider which industry to join, Sheffield-based energy expert Ian Fisher- business development manager at leading mechanical services company Airmaster- has just been chosen from over 130 national entrants as one of 40 UK role models for the construction industry.

These UK Construction Week Role Models will be speaking at a host of UKCW nationwide events, writing thought leader articles for the industry magazine and taking part in the new UKCW student outreach programme. Under this initiative, role models will go into colleges and schools in the coming months to talk to students and teachers at key stages of their education to explain what inspired them to choose construction as a career and bust any myths around the image of construction.

Airmaster are themselves a multi award- winning business currently shortlisted as a finalist in the RAC Cooling Awards, who from their headquarters in Swallownest, work with clients like Not on the High Street.

Ian explains: “My role is to look out for new business opportunities and better working practices at the forefront of renewable technology, enabling Airmaster clients to have a lower carbon loading and more future proof business.

I grew up on the Arbourthorne council estate in Sheffield and left school with just a decent grade in Maths. My first job was as an air conditioning apprentice and I joined Airmaster 15 years ago as maintenance manager.

In my first job, I was fortunate to be trained in-house by some very talented engineers and was invited to join Airmaster as maintenance manager. The company invested in me to the extent I have now become a STEM, air conditioning and construction industry ambassador. My roles have included committee member at the Institute of Refrigeration, giving technical talks to college students already studying air conditioning UK-wide, and also working with groups of school students, introducing them to the wide range of career opportunities in our industry. The best part of my job is my ambassador role, being face to face with young people at events like the annual regional Get Up To Speed day at Magna, school job fairs, ‘Dragons Den’ style presentations and conducting mock interviews. I always seem to find that one young person who cares about the environment and knows about global warming- the one with a genuine interest in what I am saying who could go on to make a difference in the world with a career in our industry. I must be enthusiastic- my own son joined Airmaster as an apprentice and has now completed his NVQ Level 3 in Air Conditioning. I couldn’t be more proud of him.”

Airmaster’s MD Lisa Pogson nominated Ian for the award and is delighted he was chosen. “The words I hear about Ian Fisher most are "enthusiastic" and "inspiring", including from head teachers in the schools he goes into such as a recent Head in Milton Keynes, where Ian spoke at the Women in Refrigeration event, and recently at Aston School locally in Rotherham where we are based. He is such a great role model for young people. Despite starting his working life with few qualifications, he has worked very hard to gain tough industry qualifications like TM44 Energy Assessments, and his energy, charisma and supportive character have ensured his success. He really champions the team and is brilliant at problem solving to help others with his constant stream of new ideas. He is a loyal and valuable member of the team who Ian tells it like it is- he really encourages students like at our Get Up to Speed STEM careers events where hordes of students gather around our stand in large groups to hear Ian’s journey and love of his subject and industry.”

Contact Airmaster on 0114 2889911 www.airmaster.uk.com

Airmaster is helping to #GrowEO for UK Employee Ownership Day – 24 June 2022

Airmaster Air Conditioning Ltd — 24/06/2022

Staff of Airmaster based in Sheffield are delighted to be part of the UK Employee Ownership Day (EO Day), run by the Employee Ownership Association (EOA), on Friday 24^th June 2022.

We’re taking part in this year’s EO Day which has the theme of #GrowEO, to celebrate and showcase how employee ownership has helped to grow our business, our employee owners and the economy.

Airmaster are delighted to mark EO Day 2022, a year on from when the company transitioned into employee ownership.

Formed in 1992 and employing 37 people, the employee owned national mechanical services, air conditioning, heating and plumbing and maintenance business is proud to celebrate employee ownership alongside others in the sector across the UK, as Lisa Pogson, Managing Director for Airmaster, explains:

“Airmaster is a family-feel business with a close-knit team, the ethos of employee ownership was already there. I feel really positive about what we have done. I’m so glad we didn’t sell it to a buyer, and we kept it in the team, because we’ve put all the effort and hard work in. We had the possibility of being bought out and it felt like it wouldn’t stay with the same Airmaster ethos.”

James de le Vingne, CEO for the Employee Ownership Association, said:

“Companies such as Airmaster are great examples of the economic and social benefits that can be achieved when employees have a stake and a say in the business in which they work.

“Over the last ten years since we began celebrating EO Day, the UK employee-owned sector has grown significantly. This year we will be asking, how can we make it grow even more quickly in half the time?

“By making as much noise as possible we can to help raise awareness with business owners, professional advisers and stakeholders to help #GrowEO.”

With numerous events running across the UK and the involvement of thousands of employee owners and other partners,EO Day is an integral part of the EOA’s events calendar and was introduced to raise awareness of employee ownership as an economically strong and balanced business model.

The benefits of employee ownership have been proven in EOA-led research, and include improving employee health and wellbeing, increasing productivity and fostering creativity and innovation across an array of industry sectors. In addition:

UK employee owned companies contribute over £30 billion to the UK economy annually
Employee-owners have higher levels of job satisfaction, feel a greater sense of achievement and job security, and are more likely to recommend their workplace than employees in non-employee owned businesses
Employee owned businesses operate in a range of sectors including healthcare, social care, education, transport, manufacturing, retail and professional services

Airmaster and Mitsubishi Electric confirmed as headline sponsors for Construction Meet the Buyer event

Airmaster Air Conditioning Ltd — 03/02/2025

Airmaster, based on the Rotherham Sheffield border, and Mitsubishi Electric have confirmed as headline sponsors for Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber of Commerce’s Construction Meet the Buyer Expo on Wednesday 12^th February 2025 from 9.30am till 1.00pm, at the Holiday Inn Rotherham in the Peter Elliot Suite. The event is all about bringing businesses together and opening new opportunities in the construction industry.

Free to attend for all businesses and contacts, join us for a morning filled with networking, you’ll have the chance to meet buyers from various construction-related companies and explore how your business can connect with key businesses and contact within the Barnsley and Rotherham region. Whether you’re looking to establish new partnerships or simply want to find out what’s happening in the industry, this event is the perfect place to start.

Last year, the ‘Meet the Buyer’ event brought together local businesses and key players in the construction sector to the Barnsley Metrodome, bringing over 100 businesses together. Attendees explored various stands, engaged with buyers, and participated in discussions aimed at supporting the growth of businesses in the South Yorkshire region.

“We were thrilled with the turnout and engagement with our exhibitors at last year’s event,” said Shane Young, Operations Director at Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber. “It was great to see visitors eager to explore new business opportunities and create connections within the construction industry, here in our region.”

“We want to support a key sector in the construction industry, and this event is a great way to do just that.”

So, mark your calendars, bring your business cards, and get ready for a day of networking and making connections. This is an opportunity you won’t want to miss!

For more information and to register, please visit https://www.brchamber.co.uk/event/meet-the-buyer-expo-2025/ or contact events@brchamber.co.uk.

Master Cutlers Challenge for #TeamAirmaster

Airmaster Air Conditioning Ltd — 22/04/2022

Airmaster are proud to be taking part in the Master Cutler's Challenge 2022 which is raising money for Cavendish Cancer Care a local charity based in Sheffield who support not just patients, but anyone affected by cancer. At the launch event, Airmaster received £50 to grow as much as possible in just 27 weeks.

"We all know that the impact of a diagnosis ripples through family, friends and colleagues. To have a charity providing a lifeline to all those who turn to them is a true asset in our region" James Tear, Master Cutler.

As part of our fundraising efforts a team of 12 from Airmaster are taking part in a 15k Tough Mudder Challenge on Saturday 23^rd April at Belvoir Castle in Lincolnshire, the 15km course features 30 obstacles. From the contracts team Gareth Campbell, Ross Blackwood, Lee Martin, Matt Andrews, James Dawson, Adam Swales, Dan Birch and Sam Casadei. From the maintenance team Scott Wolstenholme and Chris Ledger, and Site Engineers Chad Lake and Lee Unwin.

Cavendish Cancer Care helped support our former Managing Director Mark Staniland and his family following his cancer diagnosis, Mark passed away 3 years ago in May this year and the team will be fundraising in his memory.

If you feel able to donate, no matter how small, we have set up a JustGiving page for our fundraising https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/airmaster

An inclusive approach proves to be a magical opportunity for Airmaster

Airmaster Air Conditioning Ltd — 01/12/2023

Airmaster, the Rotherham-based air conditioning and industrial refrigeration company, has made a significant commitment to championing diversity and equity by signing up to the Made in Group inclusion pledge. As an employee-owned company, Airmaster believes in the power of inclusivity and has taken this step to further strengthen their dedication to diversity within their workforce. By joining this initiative, Airmaster aims to inspire other businesses to prioritise diversity and promote a more inclusive society.

Airmaster, the heating, cooling, ventilation specialist, was established in 1992. The company has a turnover in excess of £9m and works all over the UK on commercial properties, from doctors and dentists’ surgeries to laboratories, and from hospitality, retail and leisure to commercial premises, warehousing and factories.

In 2021, the founders and directors oversaw the transition from traditionally-owned business to employee ownership trust, a move to reward the staff for their commitment to the company. The employee-owned business model further demonstrates Airmaster’s commitment to fostering diversity and equality.

When considering the difference employee ownership will have a direct impact on inclusion within the business, Lisa takes a pragmatic approach: “In our industry, we’re working primarily in construction and we’re manufacturing on site. Construction, manufacturing and engineering are male-dominated spaces at the moment. It needs a bit more traction but I’m optimistic it is starting to change.”

A business decision but also a human decision

Lisa explains that signing up to Made in Group’s inclusion pledge is about ensuring everyone feels valued at Airmaster: “Our main issue is getting the right staff doing the right jobs and retaining that talent. For me, the number one thing is making sure everybody's happy with where they work. It's not just about gender or ethnicity or age, it's about attracting people and creating a culture where they feel valued for themselves and where they feel they belong.

“I got involved in this agenda about 12 years ago. I had a baby late and, when I came back to work, I struggled with confidence. I realised that I wasn’t alone in the feeling this way though, with so many people coming back into the workplace for whatever reason, whether it was that they'd been ill or had a baby or something else. There are people who have struggled with mental health for many years, this is not a new thing. And it’s not just women either.

“That’s what really focused me on this agenda and how you get those people back into the workforce, especially when you've got a limited workforce as it is. So, it is a business decision, but it's also a human decision, to try and encourage people forward and get them into the right job.”

Lisa is also an advocate for neurodiverse talent too. “In my world, engineers have always been brilliant problem solvers and you can find that there can be an occasional crossover with people who may have neurodiverse tendencies. For me, that is something to celebrate. Whereas some education providers used to advise students to hide an ADD or ADHD diagnosis from potential employers, now they are actively encouraging them to share it, which is massive progress.

“Sadly though, neurodiverse girls are still less likely to be recognised or spotted at an early stage so, as a result, they are less likely to be able to access diagnostic pathways. I’m hoping this is starting to be addressed by the system.”

Lisa explains that, for her, it’s not about signing up to the inclusion pledge as the ‘right’ thing to do, it’s also about it being the ‘smart’ thing to do to keep the business growing. “It's a business decision. Everybody's out there striving to keep their business growing and moving forward, or even just surviving, but I think that, even against the backdrop of today’s challenging times, the social value piece, the ESG stuff, all the sustainability side, to me is a ‘no-brainer’. I hate that saying, but it is.”

Magical opportunity

Lisa practices what she preaches when it comes to community engagement and social value. In addition to being past president of the Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber of Commerce and being a Freeman at the Cutler’s Company in Hallamshire, she is chair of the trustees at Grimm & Co, a registered charity supporting under-resourced children and young people in Rotherham and beyond with their confidence and skills around creativity and writing.

The charity introduces children, young people and families to discover creativity and imagination through artists, one-to-one mentoring and exciting projects that spark the motivation to write. February 2024 will see the opening of a new site for Grimm & Co at Rotherham’s Ship Hill as the charity had to find new facilities due to increasing demand for their services. The space will take inspiration from the fairytale genre, Victoriana, with its Emporium of Stories.

“I got involved with Grimm & Co about nine or ten years ago. Rotherham had a really low literacy rate compared to other areas around us so, when I was on the board of the Chamber of Commerce, I was asked to be a trustee for Grimm & Co and I jumped at the chance. It has grown and grown since then. It's amazing. Our new site opens on the 29th February next year, the magical date that only appears every four years.”

If your company would like to offer their support to Grimm & Co you can find out more here.

Our employer toolkit includes a range of high-quality 'Made' employer branding logos and assets. In addition, members gain access to valuable resources through the Made Platform, enabling them to post job vacancies on the Made Futures job board. The platform also offers a job vacancy template for creating customised social ads. By utilising these tools, you can effectively communicate your organisation's dedication to diversity and inclusion, both internally and externally.

Airmaster shortlisted for 2 national industry awards

Airmaster Air Conditioning Ltd — 28/06/2024

Sheffield based Airmaster have been shortlisted for Contractor of the Year and Small Company Achievement of the Year at the RAC Cooling Industry Awards which will be held at Grosvenor House in London in September.

Lisa Pogson, Managing Director said “We are so proud of our team for their hard work and commitment in what has been a great and challenging year. We look forward to celebrating the completion of our transition to an Employee Ownership Trust soon too. Onwards and Upwards #TeamAirmaster”

The Contractor of the Year category rewards the firms that provide exemplary service and outstanding performance throughout the year and is open to all refrigeration and air conditioning contractors and installers, large or small.

The cooling industry is notable for the contribution of a large number of small companies, but because they are not able to shout as loudly as the bigger companies, they do not always get the credit they deserve.

The Small Company Achievement of the Year category aims to change that, specifically highlighting the contribution of small companies – defined as those with under 50 employees.

For more details on the awards please visit https://coolingawards.racplus.com/2024/en/page/home