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Specialist new industrial refrigeration business launched as experienced team recruited to lead 'exciting new venture'

CambridgeHOK is expanding its operations into the industrial refrigeration systems market with the launch of a dedicated new business.

A team of 21 people have already been recruited for CambridgeHOK Refrigeration, boasting more than 200 years’ combined experience in the sector.

It will specialise in the design, install, service and maintenance of bespoke refrigeration and HVAC systems for process cooling facilities, cold stores, packhouses and clean rooms for businesses operating in the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries.

General Manager Hayley Jackson, who comes with extensive business experience and heads up the new venture, says the business will also place a focus on the use of renewable energy and heat pumps, offering sustainable solutions to clients, whilst also providing software engineering and automation controls services.

She has been joined at the new business by Tom Marshall, who has taken up the role as Head of Technical & Projects. He has 20 years’ industry experience, having first started his refrigeration career as an apprentice engineer at 17 and specialises in the design, efficiency and optimisation of refrigeration systems.

Service and maintenance expert Tony Grayson, who has more than 30 years’ experience in the industry and has worked oversees installing and commissioning refrigeration plant and equipment, has been appointed as Head of Service and Maintenance.

‘Bespoke designs to meet specific customer needs’

“We’re absolutely thrilled with the experience of the team we have brought together for this new venture, and are delighted to be part of the CambridgeHOK and Atrium Agri,” said Hayley.

“Whilst as a business we will obviously support CambridgeHOK on its large-scale horticultural projects which require refrigeration facilities, we will very much operate as a standalone business, with our own specific client base given the range of work we do.

“The experience we have in our team means we are able to offer bespoke refrigeration designs to meet our customers specific needs, with a focus on using natural refrigerants and renewable energy to provide truly sustainable solutions.”

‘Exciting new venture with obvious synergies’

Reflecting on the expansion of CambridgeHOK’s operations and services, joint managing director Patrick Harte said: “This is a really exciting new venture for us.

“We see some great synergies with our core business and as our projects get larger and more complex, bringing this skill in house was an important next step; however we also very much see this as a business which will grow and develop its own substantial client base across the UK.

“Since becoming part of the Atrium Agri group in 2021, we have benefitted from continued investment and development of our business at CambridgeHOK, which is enabling us to fuel future growth in key markets such as this.

“We knew it was important to recruit an experienced management team to lead this business, who have taken a shareholding in the new business. It is already reaping rewards as some excellent contracts have already been secured, with household name customers. It is a great start.”

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