CORE is proud to have been part of a heartfelt celebration honouring the invaluable contributions women make to the HVAC industry. Hosted by our sole distributor, Smith Brothers (SBS), the inaugural Ladies’ Day brought together staff, customers, and suppliers for a day filled with appreciation, networking, and memorable experiences.
This year’s event, held in the historic city of Cambridge, offered guests a truly unique way to celebrate by indulging in an Afternoon tea at the Six Brasserie, which was then followed by a relaxing Punting Tour down the River Cam.
A Day of Appreciation and Connection
The event was graciously hosted by Sandeep Uppal, Cambridge Branch Manager at SBS, who welcomed everyone and highlighted the importance of recognising the role women play across all levels of the HVAC sector.
CORE and SBS were proud to be joined by representatives from across the HVAC industry, including customers, suppliers, and colleagues. A special thank you goes to event sponsors, Viega UK’s Errolene Stanbridge and Flexigas’s Melanie Collins, whose generous contributions helped make the day a memorable success.
Afternoon Tea with a View
At the start of the event, guests congregated at the Six Brasserie on the sixth floor of The Varsity Hotel, where a luxurious afternoon tea awaited. The traditional afternoon tea included a selection of freshly made sandwiches, scones and cakes, along with speciality teas. All food and drink were enjoyed while soaking in the breathtaking and historic 360° panoramic views of Cambridge, overlooking the River Cam and the city’s key colleges, including St. John’s, Trinity, Jesus, and Magdalene.
Punting Through History
The guests then made their way over to the River Cam, where three boats were embarked for a serene and scenic punting tour. They sailed past some of Cambridge’s most iconic sights, including the Darwin College, the Mathematical Bridge and the Bridge of Sighs. Some guests even had the chance to demonstrate their Punting Skills while admiring Cambridge’s sights. The tranquil waters and breathtaking architecture provided the perfect setting for reflection and conversation among colleagues and industry peers.
Reflecting on the unforgettable day
The response to the first SBS Ladies’ Day was resoundingly positive, with attendees praising the event’s warm atmosphere, thoughtful hospitality, and the meaningful connections made. CORE is proud to have been part of such a special occasion. Here’s what some had to say:
“Huge thank you to Erroline, Melanie and Sandeep for organising such a brilliant event. So nice to meet such amazing ladies within our industry! – Roll on next year”
“Thank you so much for a fantastic day with an amazing group of ladies. – A beautiful setting, delicious food and lots of laughter, it was an absolute pleasure to have been part of this.”
“We wanted to say a massive thank you for yesterday, it was very kind of you to invite us along. It was a lovely day for us all and was really nice to meet everyone!”
Continuing the Celebration
SBS Ladies’ Day not only showcased the spirit of appreciation and collaboration within the HVAC community but also reaffirmed the company’s ongoing commitment to recognising women across the industry. At SBS, celebrating and supporting women in HVAC isn’t just a one-day event; it is a year-round commitment.
Sandeep said, “There are so many incredible women in our industry, and this year I wanted to bring them together to celebrate and connect. We organised a women’s event bringing together fantastic women from a wide range of roles to share their journeys and experiences. The day was a huge success, filled with inspiring stories, valuable connections and overwhelmingly positive feedback. Due to its success, we’re excited to announce that we’ll be hosting an even bigger event next summer!”
“We’ve already had lots of interest from suppliers and customers who are eager to be involved, and we can’t wait to build on the momentum and make next year’s event even more impactful.”
If you are interested in attending next year’s event, please get in touch with Sandeep Uppal: Sandeep.uppal@sbs.co.uk
