Profiles
Brian Churchyard
Managing Director
Brian is a results-oriented and Industry Gold Award-winning leader with an extensive career across construction, engineering, and energy management. He possesses a stellar record of leading cross-functional teams to drive performance and achieve “value for money” focused objectives, within contracting, consulting, and large supermarket end user sectors.
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Managing Director
Throughout his career, Brian has delivered strategic management, and developed technical specifications that support both hard and soft FM services throughout a very diverse property portfolio. He possesses a credible history of providing leadership, management, and development of defined contracts, ensuring financial and operational commitments are not only met but exceeded. Complimenting his leadership skills, Brian is one of the very best technical engineers, learning his trade at EPTA in the 1990’s, he progressed from being a service engineer all the way to head of engineering at ASDA before joining OMEGA Solutions as partner and Managing Director.
Experience
OMEGA Solutions: December 2022 – Present: Managing Director
- A new consultancy, defined as being a break from the norm, whose aim is to provide strategic technical support to help companies reduce energy and carbon as part of the Net Zero transition. Passionate about technology and people development in equal measure, OMEGA Solutions also provide bespoke technical and leadership training & mentoring services to organisations operating in the refrigeration, HVAC and wider built environment sectors. Following the first year of trading, the business now provides technical, strategic, and educational support to a diverse and growing number of organisations.
ASDA: 2014 – 2022: Building Model, Engineering, Net Zero and Energy Senior Manager
Brian spearhead an end-to-end strategy which has saved £160M+ in energy costs, diverted £174M of capital expenditure and reduced carbon emissions equal to 6500 trans-Atlantic flights through technical enhancements and energy management strategies. Brian has managed and guided his team to deliver standardisation with key focus being to reduce building life cycle costs through data driven decisions to enhance technical specification. His achievements in this role include:
- Facilitated the development of a world first refrigeration system design, meeting environmental and future regulatory requirements at a 20% lower cost than industry developed technologies, 30% greater energy efficiencies, 94% greater carbon efficiencies and 50% lower cost to maintain, projecting a £800M life cycle cost benefit over 20 years.
- Managed the sustained near unchanged £146M annual energy utility costs (2019) after an increase of 444 superstores which represents a near 200% growth in trading space since 2007 (£140M).
- Steered £6M – £8M full year energy benefits through managing £20M of capital energy budget year on year.
- Managed a £4M upgrade of a remote monitored, control, alarm, and energy management platform across 95% of the estates mechanical, lighting and sub-metering assets realising the power of IoT moving towards AI system control, achieving 90% remote fixes to drive value and further energy and carbon savings.
- Directed on-going development of a power infrastructure road map to strategically limit trading risk in case of mains power loss, mitigating sales impacts of up to £1M per building asset.
ASDA: 2007 – 2013: Refrigeration Senior Manager | Refrigeration Manager
Brian has supported efforts to globally align Walmart International refrigeration standards, supporting the wider business in identifying cost and environmental benefits. Devised simple, cost efficient and reliable system designs to address historic challenges. Examined and identified cost saving opportunities whilst still ensuring regulatory compliance is maintained. Upheld consistency through standards and quality across all installations to ensure value for money delivered by supply chain. His achievements in this role include:
- Created a strategic road map to deliver cost, energy, and carbon savings via next generation system designs.
- Achieved 15% energy and 30% carbon savings through new engineering specifications, accomplishing 100% system reliability across entire ASDA estate.
- Pioneered industry leading refrigerant system gas tightness processes: ensuring systems maintained a low carbon with reliable operation.
Emerson: 2005 – 2007: Account Manager
EPTA: 2003-2005: Project Manager
EPTA: 1993-2003: Service Apprentice, Engineer then Supervisor
Qualifications
Brian’s career stretches over 30-years and during that time has gained the following qualifications:
- Fellow of the Institute of Refrigeration: since 2020.
- Member of the Institution of Engineering and Technology: since 2015.
- City and Guilds 236 Electrical Installation and Electronics | City and Guilds Handling Refrigerants CITB skills card, City and Guilds Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Part 1 & 2, Bradford and Ilkley College.
- BTAL Electrical/Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Service Engineer Apprenticeship, BTAL.
Awards & Achievements
Brian’s individual awards and achievements where he was instrumental in their success are listed below:
- 2021 – Winner (ASDA) of the Refrigeration Project of the Year (RAC Cooling Industry Awards).
- 2021 – Winner (ASDA) of the Refrigeration Project of the Year (NACR & Heat Pump Awards).
- 2019 – Winner (ASDA) of the Environmental collaboration Award and Retail Project of the Year Awards (RAC Cooling Industry Awards).
- 2018 – Winner (ASDA) of the Retail Initiative and Project of the Year Awards (RAC Cooling Industry Awards).
- 2016 – Winner (Brian Churchyard) of the 2016 Gold Award (RAC Cooling Industry Awards).
- 2016 – Winner (ASDA) International Achievement and Low Carbon Achievement Awards (RAC Cooling Industry Awards).
- 2012 – Winner (ASDA) of the Low Carbon Achievement Award (RAC Cooling Industry Awards).
- 2008 – Winner (ASDA) of the Project of the Year Award (RAC Cooling Industry Awards).
- 2002 – Winner of the UK Service Engineers Section Award for Commercial Refrigeration (The Institute of Refrigeration Annual Dinner).
Away From Work:
Brian regularly attends national industry panel debates regarding refrigeration industry regulations, he has:
- Represented UK debate in EU parliament regarding F-gas regulation.
- Contributing Author to publication for “Sustainable Refrigeration”.
- Panel judge for 5 years for Awards event.
- Presented to Birmingham University “How to reduce and mitigate energy and costs impacts”.
- Vice chair advisory council EU funded ENOUGH project, Farm to Folk strategy to reduce GHG emissions.
- Brian is also Level 2 accredited junior rugby union junior coach.
James Bailey
Operations Director
James is a Chartered Engineer, Master’s Degree Graduate, Fellow of the Institute of Refrigeration, and a published author who successfully changed the operating model of his first business Wheatlands Aire Valley Engineering, via the formation of an Employee Ownership Trust in December 2020.
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Operations Director
On the 22nd of September 2022 at the RAC Cooling Industry Awards, James Bailey won the evening’s most prestigious accolade – The Gold Award. The events judges summarised James as “An engineer with a passion for developing technology matched by a passion for developing people. James Bailey is a worthy Gold Award winner”.
Experience
OMEGA Solutions: December 2021 – Present: Founder & Director
- A new consultancy, defined as being a break from the norm, whose aim is to provide strategic technical support to help companies reduce energy and carbon as part of the Net Zero transition. Passionate about technology and people development in equal measure, OMEGA Solutions also provide bespoke technical and leadership training & mentoring services to organisations operating in the refrigeration, HVAC and wider built environment sectors. Following the first year of trading, the business now provides technical, strategic, and educational support to a diverse and growing number of organisations.
Wheatlands Aire Valley Engineering: 2015 – December 2021: Founder & Director
- Implemented an annual ‘Next Generation’ training scheme in 2017 for school leavers/graduates. Two of business trainees won local and national awards under James’ guidance and mentoring.
- Under his leadership the company was appointed as a professional services provider to ALDI, ASDA, Bidfood, Co-op, Proudfoots and Sainsbury’s.
- Implemented an industry respected, high-quality ESG programme based on the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
White Rose Software (2019) Limited: 2019 – Present: Co-Owner & Director
- White Rose is the industry leading refrigeration system pipe network and analysis and sizing software.
Abbey Design Associates: June 2012 – June 2015: Senior Consultant
BJA Consulting Engineers: June 2008 – May 2012: Account Manager
Emerson: January 2006 – May 2008: Design & Project Delivery Manager
EPTA: November 2002 – December 2005: Applications Engineer
Federal Mogul: June 1996 – November 2002: Apprentice/Manufacturing Engineer
Qualifications
James’s career stretches over 26-years and during that time has gained the following qualifications:
- Fellow of the Institute of Refrigeration: since 2021.
- Chartered Engineer: since 2017.
- MA in Management (awarded with distinction): 2014.
- BTEC Diploma Level 5 in Management and Leadership (DML): 2011.
- Member of the Institution of Engineering and Technology: since 2010.
- Incorporated Engineer: 2010-2017.
- Member of the Institute of Refrigeration: 2010-2021.
- HND (Engineering): 2002.
- HNC (Mechanical Engineering): 2000.
- NVQ Level 3 (Advanced Modern Apprenticeship in Technical Services): 2001.
- ONC (Mechanical Engineering): 1998.
- NVQ Level 2 (Engineering Principles): 1997.
Awards & Achievements
James’s individual & wider awards and achievements where he was instrumental in their success are listed below:
- 2022 – Winner (James Bailey) of the 2022 Gold Award (RAC Cooling Industry Awards).
- 2022 – Highly Commended (OMEGA Solutions & Refrigeration Mentor) in the Environmental Collaboration of the Year (RAC Cooling Industry Awards).
- 2022 – Highly Commended (OMEGA Solutions & Refrigeration Mentor) in the Marketing Initiative of the Year (NACR & Heat Pump Awards).
- 2021 – Author Culture Redefined: A Leadership Strategy Towards Stakeholder Capitalism – A Time for Change; a book endorsed by Investors in People.
- 2021 – Winner (James Bailey) of the Individual Achievement of the Year (RAC Cooling Industry Awards).
- 2021 – Winners of the Small Company Achievement of the Year (RAC Cooling Industry Awards).
- 2021 – Silver Winner (Trainee at Wheatlands Aire Valley Engineering) of the Student of the Year (RAC Cooling Industry Awards).
- 2020 – Shortlisted Finalist (James Bailey) – Leader of the Year (Investors in People Awards).
- 2020 – Silver Winner (Trainee at Wheatlands Aire Valley Engineering) of the Student of the Year (RAC Cooling Industry Awards).
- 2020 – Winners of the Retail Project of the Year (RAC Cooling Industry Awards).
- 2020 – Winners of the Refrigeration Innovation of the Year (NACR & Heat Pump Awards).
- 2019 – Winners of the Environmental Collaboration of the Year (RAC Cooling Industry Awards).
- 2019 – Winner (Trainee at Wheatlands Aire Valley Engineering) of the Young Professional of the Year (KABA Awards).
- 2018 – Inaugural Winners of the Cooling Business of the Year (RAC Cooling Industry Awards).
- 2018 – Winners of the Engineering Business of the Year (KABA Awards).
Away From Work
- James enjoys keeping fit and has run the New York marathon three time, once in 2006 and again in 2022 and 2023. Setting personal goals annually, and always seeking to make a positive difference, James ran the New York marathon in 2023 to help raise money for Prostate Cancer UK.
- In 2021, James wrote and published his first book; Culture Redefined. It conveys an evolving case study based on his experience of starting a business, growing, leading, and transitioning to an employee-owned business model in a book that blends practical experience and personal reflections through the application of management theory. It identifies how the author created a best-in-class culture and applied transformation leadership that resulted in his company ranking #1 of all small Investors in People© accredited businesses in the UK who operate in and around the construction sector. The overriding goal of Culture Redefined is to promote a leadership strategy that works towards the progressive ideals of stakeholder capitalism as a concept that will help organisations survive and thrive during a time of change (post-pandemic). The target audience are those who are interested in the principles of stakeholder capitalism, including experienced management professionals and business owners, people with limited management experience but who have a grounding in business management theory, students who have an interest in business and management, people with an interest in exploring employee ownership as a fair and equitable business operating model and those seeking ways to implement the Sustainable Development Goals. Paul Devoy, CEO of Investors in People endorsed Culture Redefined – “This book highlights exactly what a great leader looks like, the challenges they must overcome, the questions they must ask themselves and what a great company looks like too. Many congratulations to James on what I am sure will be a remarkable success, as well as a useful tool to many current and aspiring leaders.”
Nabil Cook
Technical Director
Nabil is a Chartered Engineer, member of the IOR Technical Committee, and published research author, with a Master’s degree in Engineering from Imperial College London. With 12 years of industry experience, he has worked in consulting, component sales, industrial contracting, research and development, and plant OEM, allowing him to develop a rich, well-rounded perspective on the sector.
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Technical Director
Known for having a strong grasp of the base-principles of mechanical engineering and their applications in the real world, he is keen to pass on his expertise to future engineers. Nabil has a flair for presenting and writing in a clear, easy-to-understand manner and is a formidable learner, having quickly mastered concepts as diverse as legionella management and microeconomics.
Known for having a strong grasp of the base-principles of mechanical engineering and their applications in the real world, he is keen to pass on his expertise to future engineers. Nabil has a flair for presenting and writing in a clear, easy-to-understand manner and is a formidable learner, having quickly mastered concepts as diverse as legionella management and microeconomics.
Able to lead cross-disciplinary teams of experts within their fields, Nabil takes ideas that showcase engineering innovation and reliability and makes them a reality. He strives for engineering excellence on a daily basis and has trained and mentored several engineers and salespeople of all ages to help them achieve their best in both theory and practice. His other great passion is working towards net-zero through both incremental improvements and novel technological advancements. During his illustrious career, he has won collaborative awards and been featured in industry magazines and round table events that recognise this.
Akhil Dev
Technical Manager – India
Akhil is a mechanical engineer and a bachelor’s in technology graduate from Kerala University, India. He is an associate member of Institute of Refrigeration (IoR) and ISHRAE Trivandrum Chapter.
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Technical Manager – India
With 5+ years of RACHP experience, he has mainly worked in commercial CO2 refrigeration designs, auditing contractor submissions for both design and costings, and possesses significant experience in Autodesk Revit and CAD software.
Experience
OMEGA Solutions: July 2023 – Present: Technical Manager
- A new consultancy, defined as being a break from the norm, whose aim is to provide strategic technical support to help companies reduce energy and carbon as part of the net zero transition. Passionate about technology and people development in equal measure, OMEGA Solutions also provide bespoke technical and leadership training & mentoring services to organisations operating in the refrigeration, HVAC and wider built environment sectors. Following the first year of trading, the business now provides technical, strategic, and educational support to a diverse and growing number of organisations.
Wheatlands Aire Valley Engineering: 2018– 2023: Design Consultant
Akhil’s experience and responsibilities included:
- CO2 refrigeration designs for Sainsbury’s Including pipe zing and room heat load calculations.
- Desktop design and cost auditing of contractor submissions for ALDI and ASDA.
- Refrigeration 3D model projects for ALDI using Autodesk Revit.
- Build applications related to refrigeration and asset management using Microsoft PowerApps.
Sobha Limited, India: 2018: Plumbing Engineer
Usha FireTech, India: 2017-2018: Design Engineer
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Technology degree in Mechanical Engineering.
- Associate member of Institute of Refrigeration (IoR)
- Associate member of ISHARE, Trivandrum chapter.
- Class 1 Certificate holder of Trade Testing & Skilled Workers for HVAC & Plumbing.
- ELITE certificate holder by IIT Roorkee in Refrigeration & Air Conditioning
Away From Work
Outside of work, Akhil has a passion for photography and videography, enjoying capturing moments and expressing his creativity through social media. He is also an avid football enthusiast, both as a player and a spectator, finding joy in being on the field, participating in matches, and following the sport closely.
Chris Griffiths
UK Technical Manager
Chris is 2nd generation refrigeration engineer and Member of the Institute of Refrigeration with a Bachelor’s degree (honours) in Building Services Engineering. His 12 years of industry experience ranges across service, installation, design and project management in commercial, retail, industrial, and high-end residential Refrigeration and Air Conditioning applications.
Experience
OMEGA Solutions: September 2023 – Present: UK Technical Manager
- A new consultancy, defined as being a break from the norm, whose aim is to provide strategic technical support to help companies reduce energy and carbon as part of the Net Zero transition. Passionate about technology and people development in equal measure, OMEGA Solutions also provide bespoke technical and leadership training & mentoring services to organisations operating in the refrigeration, HVAC and wider built environment sectors. Following the first year of trading, the business now provides technical, strategic, and educational support to a diverse and growing number of organisations.
Epta-UK Ltd: September 2021 – September 2023: Design and Applications Manager (South)
- Line managed and led a team of Design & Applications Engineers on projects for several of the UK’s largest supermarket retailers.
- Provided technical expertise in refrigeration engineering, including energy-efficient design, system optimization, and compliance with relevant regulations and standards.
- Continued responsibilities as per D&A Engineering role.
Epta Cold Service Ltd: January 2018 – September 2021: Design and Applications Engineer
- Responsible for designing, cost management and project management of CO2 and HFC refrigeration projects throughout the south of the UK.
- Financial and project management of refrigeration and air-conditioning projects from inception to completion.
- Co-ordination of internal design team staff and management of external sub-contractors.
- Preparation of technical and health & safety project documentation.
Cotswold Vale Refrigeration Ltd: September 2011 – January 2018: Technical Engineer
- Progressed from apprentice through to service engineer before moving into a design and install-based role.
- Responsible for the design and delivery of refrigeration and HVAC projects across commercial and light-industrial sectors.
- Attending design team meetings with various project stakeholders to ensure key outcomes were achieved.
- Production of condition reports, risk assessments, method statements and O&M manuals.
Qualifications
- Exalt Training (2023) ILM Level 3 Leadership and Management
- University of the West of England (2016-2019) BEng in Building Services Engineering: First Class Honours
- Epta Training Centre (2018) BRA CO2 Short Course in retail refrigeration service & maintenance.
- City of Bath College (2014-2016) HNC in Building Services Engineering
- Coolconcerns (2013) City & Guilds 6187-21 Hydrocarbon Refrigerants.
- Taiga Training (2012) City & Guilds 2079 Refrigeration & Air Conditioning
Awards & Achievements
- UWE Building Services Engineering Student of the Year 2019.
- CIBSE South West Regional Student of the Year 2018 1st Runner Up.
Away from work:
- Chris is an associate lecturer at the University of the West of England (UWE), teaching the new generation of engineers on modules throughout their courses, specialising in Mechanical Services and Engineering Principles. Due to his background on the tools, he instructs the students on how to carry out experiments safely and correctly on a range of Building Services laboratory equipment in their final year studies.
