Vince Canino, chief operating officer since 2014 has become president and chief executive, effective immediately. Mr Canino’s career in the HVACR and power industries includes senior VP roles with Trane, the chief executive role at the DG Energy cogeneration group and many years with GE Power Systems.

Ashraf Abdalla, formerly VP and general manager, Global HVAC Applied Commercial Business, Johnson Controls, is joining as chief operating officer, initially focused on North American opportunities.

Roger Richmond-Smith, Smardt founder and before that, Turbocor founder, has retired as chief executive but remains chairman of the board of directors, with project responsibilities for Europe, new product development and strategic marketing. He said: “I am delighted to pass the baton... to this new team of global industry veterans. Vince and Ash are both major talents, and together with CFO Lucie Roy, they make a formidable team. This is vital if Smardt is to exploit post-pandemic opportunities for its lifetime oil-free efficiencies in the planet’s fight against climate change.'