By Anna Ruddy
Managing Director, ACS Air Conditioning
Having another woman in the air conditioning industry to talk to has made a real difference to me. Working in an industry that is predominately male, it’s great to have someone who understands the challenges you face, both professionally and personally.
Carla (Roberts) Maroudas, from Cool Designs Ltd, has become a really valuable sounding board for me. When I’m faced with a tricky installation, it’s great to have someone I can pick up the phone to and talk things through with. Sometimes you just need another perspective, a bit of advice, or someone who understands what you’re dealing with.
Having that support gives me more confidence when working through challenges and helps me feel less like I’m figuring everything out on my own.
What makes our relationship even better is that we can also relate to each other outside of work. We both have children of a similar age, so alongside conversations about installations and products, there is always time for a good moan about parenting! It’s nice to be able to switch off from work for a moment, have a laugh and share the realities of trying to balance a busy job with family life.
I think having that connection is important. It reminds you that you don’t have to know all the answers yourself and that having someone in your corner can make a huge difference.
For me, Carla’s support has been about more than just the working relationship between a sales rep and a customer. It’s about having another woman in the industry who I can learn from, share experiences with and have a laugh with along the way.
That kind of support is invaluable, and it’s something I really appreciate.
Local voices. Global connections. One HVACR community.
This article was contributed by Anna Ruddy for Global HVACR Women Week 2026, taking place from 25–31 October.
It forms part of our Local Voices series, in which women share their experiences of working in HVACR and the connections that have made a difference along the way. By sharing these stories, we hope to help others find people they can learn from, exchange ideas with and support.
What connection has made a difference to you? We welcome contributions from women across HVACR, wherever you work and whatever stage of your career you have reached. Your story does not need to be long or polished—a simple experience could help someone else take their next step.
To share your story submit it together with a profile photo to info@worldrefrigerationday.org
