HVAC Woman of the Year
Company: Star Refrigeration
Nominee Name: Astrid Prado
Supporting Statement
Introduction to the Individual
Astrid Prado is a respected leader, advocate and changemaker within the UK refrigeration and air conditioning industry. As Co-Chair of Women in RACHP, she has become one of the driving forces behind creating a more inclusive profession, ensuring that every individual, regardless of gender or background, has the opportunity to succeed.
Known for her thoughtful leadership, collaborative approach and unwavering integrity, Astrid leads with quiet confidence. She is someone who listens first, builds consensus and turns ideas into meaningful action. Rather than seeking recognition herself, she consistently shines the spotlight on others, helping people find their voice and encouraging them to realise their potential.
Her influence has helped shape conversations around diversity, inclusion and workforce development across the industry, making her a truly deserving candidate for HVR Woman of the Year.
Type of Work Undertaken
Alongside her professional career, Astrid dedicates an extraordinary amount of time to advancing the refrigeration and HVAC profession through voluntary leadership.
As Co-Chair of Women in RACHP, she works with industry partners, employers, educational organisations and professional bodies to improve representation, encourage diversity and create opportunities for people entering the sector.
Her work spans strategic planning, public speaking, collaboration with industry stakeholders, mentoring and developing initiatives that encourage lasting cultural change. She is passionate about ensuring the industry benefits from the widest possible pool of talent and believes that inclusion is fundamental to addressing future skills shortages.
Perhaps most notably, Astrid led the development of the Women in Cooling Report, a landmark piece of industry research that provided evidence-based insight into the experiences of women working within refrigeration and air conditioning. The report has become an important resource, helping organisations better understand both the challenges and opportunities associated with improving diversity across the profession.
Individual’s Standout Achievements
Astrid’s greatest achievement has been transforming conversations into measurable action.
The publication of the Women in Cooling Report provided one of the first comprehensive pieces of research focused specifically on women’s experiences within the refrigeration and HVAC sector. Rather than relying on anecdotal evidence, the report gathered meaningful data that has helped inform discussions across professional bodies, employers and industry groups.
As Co-Chair of Women in RACHP, Astrid has continued to build on this work by creating opportunities for networking, mentoring and professional development while encouraging collaboration across the industry.
She has become a trusted voice on equality, diversity and inclusion , not through campaigning alone, but by presenting practical solutions, encouraging constructive conversations and building partnerships that create lasting change.
What makes these achievements particularly impressive is that Astrid has accomplished them while remaining humble, approachable and focused on helping others succeed.
Her Impact on Employer and the Wider Industry
Astrid’s influence extends far beyond any single organisation. Through her leadership of Women in RACHP and her wider industry involvement, she has helped create a more welcoming and supportive environment for people entering refrigeration and HVAC. Her work has encouraged businesses to think differently about recruitment, retention and career development while giving individuals the confidence to pursue opportunities they may previously have believed were beyond their reach.
She has become someone that people naturally turn to for advice, encouragement and guidance because she approaches every conversation with empathy, fairness and professionalism.
Perhaps her greatest impact is the culture she helps create. Those who work alongside Astrid know they will be listened to, respected and supported. She creates spaces where people feel comfortable contributing, where different perspectives are valued and where collaboration is encouraged.
The refrigeration industry will undoubtedly benefit from the legacy of Astrid’s work for many years to come.
Personal Statement – Lisa-Jayne Cook FInstR FWES
President, Institute of Refrigeration
“There are people who naturally find the spotlight, and there are people who quietly create it for others. Astrid Prado is firmly the latter.
I have had the privilege of working alongside Astrid through Women in RACHP, and I have seen first-hand the care, professionalism and determination she brings to everything she does. She is thoughtful, compassionate and incredibly effective at bringing people together around a common purpose.
The Women in Cooling Report is one of the most important contributions to diversity and inclusion our industry has seen in recent years. It has given us evidence where previously we had assumptions, and it has helped organisations begin conversations that will shape the future of our profession.
What impresses me most, however, is Astrid herself. She never seeks recognition, yet she is often the first to encourage others, celebrate their achievements and ensure every voice around the table is heard. She leads with humility, empathy and quiet determination, earning the respect of everyone fortunate enough to work with her.
Our industry needs more leaders like Astrid. She reminds us that real leadership is measured not by how loudly we speak, but by the opportunities we create for others. I am incredibly proud to support her nomination for HVR Woman of the Year.”
Lisa-Jayne Cook FInstR FWES
President, Institute of Refrigeration
Entry ID: 10485
