WOMEN IN ACR: Sam Buckell and Astrid Prado

For our most recent feature, we meet the new Co-chairs of the industry’s thriving Women in RACHP Network, Sam Buckell and Astrid Prado.

Bitzer UK’s Sam Buckell and Astrid Prado of Star Refrigeration have been appointed Co-chairs of the Institute of Refrigeration (IOR) Women in RACHP (WiRACHP) Network. They succeed Lisa-Jayne Cook, who stepped down to become IOR President. Sam is PA to BITZER UK Managing Director Kevin Glass, while Astrid is Head of Marketing for Glasgow-based Star Refrigeration.

Sam joined Bitzer UK in 2016  and served as the first Chair of WiRACHP when it was founded in the same year. She has since played a key role in the company and wider industry in championing the contribution of women across the sector, highlighting the importance of diversity and inclusion (D&I).

Her advocacy for the contribution of women at work dates back to her previous employer, Arup, where she served for 14 years in senior administrative and HR positions in the company’s London HQ. At Bitzer UK, in addition to acting as PA she has responsibility for advertising, event and project planning, and social media.

Sam has been part of a number of D&I initiatives, including promoting and attending the STEMAZING Inspiration Academy, and contributed in numerous ways to the work of the network, including its training courses and nationwide discussion forums. She is currently heading up an IOR team that produces the network’s monthly blog on the IOR website, which is coming up to its first anniversary in January.

She said: "Through the group, I have been lucky to meet some of the most dedicated and inspirational women in our industry. The group is always inclusive and big enough that there is always someone ready to help, and work with you on anything you may need. I very proud of us and what we have achieved so far, and know there is a lot more yet to come.

Exciting solution

"Given how busy and demanding the world of work is today, the joint role with Astrid is an exciting and creative solution that will allow us to share responsibilities and support each other in developing the network and expanding activities over the coming year.’’

Issues close to her heart include developing the group's recently launched monthly lunchtime meetings. Recent topics have covered Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for women, and the University of Bristol's collaboration with the Women's Engineering Society on research into better-fitting PPE for women; plus, the new Sexual Harassment at Work Regulations, which require employers to implement measures to safeguard staff from sexual harassment, including incidents involving third parties such as clients or customers.

Other initiatives planned for next year include a new networking platform for the group, being championed by Astrid , training through the year, and a networking event in March, currently in the planning stage. The award-winning WiRACHP podcast series and blog will also be a focus.

"There is a lot going on, but a lot of our new ideas come thick and fast when we are together. I believe there is nothing this team cannot do, and I am looking forward to working with Astrid to see where the next chapter will take us."

A Chartered Marketer and IOR member, Astrid has been with Star Refrigeration since 2005. Her dedication to promoting diversity within engineering industries aligns with Star’s longstanding commitment to drive positive change in the sector through education. Throughout her career, she has contributed to the development of future business leaders by delivering guest lectures on marketing to MBA students at the University of Glasgow.

In 2019, she was nominated by the WiRACHP  group for the Diversity Impact Award at the RAC Cooling Industry Awards for her work, on behalf of the IOR, in driving the group’s groundbreaking gender parity survey. The research provides valuable insights into the industry’s attitudes and benefits for women, identifying steps to close the gender gap and attract more female talent.

Great opportunity

At Star,  she has supported initiatives that empower women, including the STEMAZING programme, which provides resources to help women build confidence to deliver STEM sessions to primary school children. She has also led STEM awareness events with local schools as part of Star Refrigeration’s ‘Little Stars’ programme, which encourages children to explore the exciting opportunities a career in engineering can offer. 

Astrid has additionally played an active role in supporting Star Refrigeration’s commitment to developing an inclusive workplace. The company continues to lead by example by offering part-time and flexible working arrangements, alongside enhanced maternity, paternity, and shared parental leave policies. These initiatives create an inclusive environment that supports women in the workplace and fosters shared caregiving responsibilities. 

She said: “I am honoured to take on this position alongside Sam Buckell, a valued colleague and dedicated professional in our industry. This is a great opportunity to collaborate with talented individuals to expand the impact of the Women in RACHP group. I firmly believe that individual efforts alone are not enough; true progress happens when women unite to amplify their voices and visibility. By sharing experiences, challenges and successes, we can create a more inclusive industry where diversity becomes the norm, not the exception.

“This group is about more than networking. It’s a movement to empower women, foster mentorship and inspire the next generation. Together, we can ensure the refrigeration and heating sector is a place where everyone can contribute and thrive.”