Due to popular demand the entry deadline for the HVR Awards has been extended to 31st July, but this will be the only extension granted for the awards this year, says organiser Datateam Business Media.

The HVR Awards will return to the Chelsea Harbour Hotel on Thursday 27th October 2016 to celebrate excellence in the building services sector. Commenting on the importance of entering, HVR editor Heather Ramsden comments: “These highly sought after awards act as an independent endorsement of a company’s achievements, giving the opportunity to raise a company’s profile with significant media exposure to increase brand awareness, differentiate an organisation from its competitors, enhance reputations as an exceptional operator within the HVAC sector and open the doors to new suppliers, customers, investors and partners.”

Heather continues: “With the new category Trainee of the Year causing a stir in the industry, as well as the Customer Service Person of the Year, employers can motivate employees and boost productivity by nominating their team without any expense.” 

The winners of the HVR Awards will be decided by an expert panel of judges which this year is comprised of existing, returning and new faces.

Industrial & Commercial Energy Association (ICOM) director Ross Anderson is returning to the panel. With his extensive experience in the commercial heating and hot water sector, Ross was a firm choice to rejoin the 2016 panel. Having worked in engineering for many years and held high-level management roles within the sector, he has played a key role on the technical committees of BCEMA, ICOM and BSI.

As well as contributing to discussions on standards with various government departments, he joined ICOM in January 2013. Ross says: “I am pleased to be asked to judge the HVR Awards again this year. It is important that these events take place in order to showcase the innovation within our industry.”

Also returning as a judge for the 2016 event is Martyn Cooper, commercial manager for the Federation of Environmental Trade Associations (FETA). Martyn joined FETA in May 2015 after a 37 year career in the plastics and chemical industries.  Martyn says: “FETA is very happy to support the HVR Awards and to celebrate success and innovation in the H&V industry”.

New to the judging panel is BSRIA Test House Manager, Tom Garrigan. Joining BSRIA in 2007, his major area of work covers the testing of HVAC products within the BSRIA laboratories, providing manufacturers and contractors with internationally recognised standards and bespoke performance data which covers the requirements of local and European quality/incentive schemes, as well as CE marking.

Tom participates in industry working groups developing methodologies for the testing of HVAC equipment for both the European and US market. He is a member of the Institute of Refrigeration and the UK representative for the European Heat Pump Association (EHPA) Technical Working Group.

Tom comments: “I am delighted to have been appointed a judge for these prestigious awards. Awards such as these are a celebration of innovation and excellence, which is essential for improving standards within our industry and for driving energy efficiency.”

Adding his experience to the judging panel is membership director of the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA), Richard Ward. With a broad range of industry experience at senior level, Richard has held a range of commercial directorships with air conditioning manufacturer Toshiba Carrier and refrigeration wholesaler HRP Group. Richard also served as managing director of Holland Heating UK and UK sales director of air handling specialist Orange Climate Group.

Richard says: “I am delighted to be joining the HVR Awards judging panel. BESA has a long and close association with the magazine and the awards - and we are also proud to be headline sponsors for the whole event once again.

"The HVR Awards do not set out to compete with some of the huge, glitzy awards events out there. They have their own intimate, friendly character and they also focus, very specifically, on the core interests of the building engineering services sector. This makes them ideal for us, as a trade association, and of most direct relevance to our members.

"It is, therefore, a real honour to be invited onto such a distinguished judging panel and I look forward to assessing the latest innovations and most talented individuals in our sector later this year."

The HVR Awards 2016 are sponsored by BESA, AmbiRad, Marflow Hydronics, Reznor, Smiths Brothers Stores and the HVAC & Refrigeration show 2018, with selected sponsorship opportunities still available.

For more information visit www.hvrawards.com