Howard Neville, President, ASHRAE Ireland Chapter

– More than a network: The ASHRAE Ireland ecosystem

HOWARD NEVILLE, 2026 President, ASHRAE Ireland Chapter, speaks with ROBBIE COUSINS about the vital role of networking, the power of cross-industry collaboration, and why ASHRAE is a “family for life” for Irish engineers. 

Howard Neville, the 2026 President of the ASHRAE Ireland Chapter, is a much respected figure within the Irish engineering sector, whether that be in his day job with Arcadis, as an active committee member of the ASHRAE Ireland Chapter or indeed as a mentor to young engineers on ASHRAE’s Mentoring Programme.

His commitment to his craft and contribution to the HVAC sector over the years come as a result of a perspective forged through decades of high-level mechanical design and work to improve professional standards in the industry.

At the heart of technical infrastructure

His day job sees him managing the mechanical department for the Advanced Technology Group within Arcadis, a global powerhouse that he describes as the biggest company that you have never heard of. This duality of roles—leading a department in a multinational firm while steering the course of a local chapter of an international professional body —places him at the heart of Ireland’s technical infrastructure.

Howard explains that Arcadis in Ireland has deep roots, originally operating as DPS Engineering in Cork before being acquired by the Dutch global firm in 2022. Today, the organisation is a multinational giant headquartered in the Netherlands, employing 40,000 people globally with a strong contingent of 1,000 or so professionals based in Ireland. The scope of its work is staggering, covering everything from airports and transport systems, such as the new Dart extension in Dublin, to heavy engineering in the oil, gas, and renewable sectors.

For Howard Neville, however, the focus remains on the technically complex, specifically within the Advanced Technology Group. This division handles semiconductors, data centres, dry-clean rooms, and other highly technical buildings where precision is not just a requirement but a necessity for operation. He notes that Arcadis also maintains a separate Life Sciences Division, which often crosses over with his team’s expertise, creating a collaborative environment that mirrors the multidisciplinary approach he champions at the ASHRAE Ireland Chapter.

From attendee to president

Howard Neville’s journey with ASHRAE began long before he took the presidential chain of office. Howard recalls attending his first ASHRAE show in New York back in 1998, which sparked a peripheral involvement that lasted for many years from the early noughties up to starting a more engaged committee involvement in the mid 2010s.

“In 2015, I moved from having a peripheral involvement becoming an active ASHRAE committee member and I was invited to join the board in 2022.”

He was more recently appointed ASHRAE Ireland President for this year. His trajectory from a curious attendee at an ASHRAE event in 1998 to the President of the Ireland  Chapter informs his leadership style, which is rooted in the belief that the industry thrives when individuals are willing to contribute beyond their immediate job descriptions. He comments, “ASHRAE is not merely a technical society. It is a vital network that allows diverse professionals operating in the same sector to become more involved in the industry and to give something back to the community that has supported their careers.” He adds, “I am very proud to follow in the footsteps some amazing previous ASHRAE Ireland presidents and, in particular, the immediate past presidents, Edith Blennerhassett and Gary O’Sullivan.

ASHRAE: A ‘family for life’

One of the most compelling aspects of Howard’s philosophy is his view of the industry as a family. He cites the words of another past president, Conor Murray, who remarked that ‘ASHRAE is a family for life’. Howard explains, “This sentiment is particularly relevant in the Irish context, where the engineering sector is predominantly composed of small- and medium-sized enterprises. While working for an SME allows an individual to gain broad experience, it can also lead to professional isolation. “ASHRAE serves as a critical bridge, pulling people out of their organisational silos and placing them within a wider global HVACR family. This exposure does not just benefit the individual; it allows them to bring their entire organisation along with them, introducing fresh ideas and international standards to smaller firms that might otherwise remain insular.”

Bridging the skills gap through technology transfer

Howard Neville’s commitment to education and training is a recurring theme in his career. Beyond his work at Arcadis, he previously managed the skills network for Refrigeration Skillnet, where he was instrumental in upskilling the refrigeration and air conditioning industry to meet City and Guilds 2079 standards for handling F-gases. This passion for mentoring and teaching has always been a side part of his professional life, and it is a focus he has brought to the forefront of his ASHRAE involvement in ASHRAE’s Chapter Technology Transfer Committee (CTTC). He describes technology transfer as a fancy way of talking about education and training, “The CTCT works to identify skills gaps within the industry and address them through lectures and access to distinguished international speakers.”

ASHRAE Mentoring Programme

Another committee within the ASHRAE Ireland Chapter that Howard says is making its mark is the Young Engineers of ASHRAE (YEA) programme. This is a source of particular pride for Howard. “While many companies have internal mentoring systems, they are often limited by internal politics or hierarchies. The ASHRAE Mentoring Programme, run through YEA, however, matches young engineers with seasoned professionals generally from different organisations, who provide a neutral and expansive learning support. “The results speak for themselves,” Howard notes. “This year we have 15 mentees. Historically, the success rate in recent years has been phenomenal, with nearly all participants receiving promotions within a year of completing the programme.” This initiative was so successful that the Ireland Chapter was invited to the ASHRAE World Summit in Phoenix, Arizona, to present their model to a global audience.

A seat at the table

For Howard Neville, the value of ASHRAE membership extends far beyond local networking. It is about having a seat at the table where international standards are written. He is currently involved in Technical Committee 9.11, which focuses on Clean Spaces. In this capacity, he is in the room with the very people writing the handbooks and guidance for the entire planet. He highlights the significance of the upcoming revision of Handbook 62.1, the ‘Clean Air Quality Handbook’, which is set to be published next year. “For an engineer, being part of these conversations is invaluable, as it provides a level of insight that cannot be found in a textbook.” He adds that even after 30 years in the industry, he still learns something new from the monthly ASHRAE Journal, proving that the collective experience of the membership far outweighs any individual’s personal history.

Strength in the ecosystem: Strategic collaboration

“Collaboration with other industry bodies is another Strength pillar for 2026.” Howard Neville cites the benefits of many ASHRAE members being members of bodies such as the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE), the Institute of Refrigeration Ireland (IRI) and Engineers Ireland (EI). “Because many of our members are also members of other organisations, there are great opportunities for collaboration and knowledge sharing.” He mentions ASHRAE Ireland Chapter board members Seamus Kerr and Michael Quinn, who hold prominent roles in IRI and EI, respectively, as evidence of this crosspollination. “By working together on events and sharing resources, we can make the entire industry more efficient. I believe that being part of this ecosystem is essential for anyone who wants to have a real impact, as it allows them to be active stakeholders in the growth and development of the sector.” Irish Engineers Punching Above Their Weight on a Global Scale The global nature of the industry is something Howard experiences daily. He reflects on his travels with Arcadis, noting that no matter where he is in the world with work, he is rarely the only Irish person in the room. “Irish engineers punch well above their weight on a global scale. By being part of ASHRAE Ireland, local engineers are not just members of a domestic club; they are part of the world’s largest organisation for HVACR and allied trades. This global connection provides access to a wealth of standards, handbooks, and research that is essential for modern engineering practice.”

Investing in the future: The role of sponsorship

He adds, “Companies also have a vital role to play in this ecosystem. While membership is on an individual basis, corporate sponsorship is what allows ASHRAE Ireland to invest in its ambitious programmes. Corporate support is a reinvestment in the industry’s future, particularly in initiatives like our student networks.” In a move that is unique to the Ireland Chapter, ASHRAE student membership is fully funded, ensuring that the next generation of engineers is brought into the fold as early as possible. This is a clear example of how ASHRAE Ireland looks beyond immediate gains to ensure the long-term health of the profession.