THE Institute of Refrigeration is facing a presidential election battle for possibly the first time in its history. Graeme Maidment, nominated by the IoR council for the role of president elect to succeed current president Andy Pearson, is being challenged for the role by fellow members John Bowater and Steve Gill.
Following a change in the Institute's constitution, the IoR council now recommends a president elect to the membership who have the opportunity to propose alternative candidates. Previously denied this opportunity, and far from rubber-stamping the candidate, the membership appears to have grasped the new democratic opportunity and two challengers have stepped forward.

First to announce an interest and the necessary backing of at least 20 members was John Bowater of FJB Systems, a leading figure in both the UK food processing and cold storage industries for well over 40 years.

Later to join the fray was ACR News website blogger Steve Gill. Steve has worked in the industry for over 30 years as a contractor and consultant and is a Director of ACRIB. Both challengers have been involved in IoR committee work.

The choice of council Graeme Maidment is a professor at London South Bank University and chairman of SIRAC, the industry's Sustainable Innovation in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning steering group, and chairman of the IoR's Paper's and Publications Committee.

Members will receive voting forms within the next couple of weeks with the voting concluding on March 31.