If you enjoy solving problems, take pride in beautifully neat pipework and can quote a film after watching it just once, you’ll fit in well at PGS. Meet Rob Hilson, our new HVAC & Air Conditioning Lead.
We sat down with Rob during his first week to get to know the person behind the tools. With around 20 years of experience in the industry, he brings practical knowledge, a keen eye for detail and a willingness to share what he knows with others.
He also brings strong opinions about coffee, a weakness for Biscoff and a music collection that could take the office playlist in several new directions.
From an Apprenticeship to Leading the Way
Rob began his career with an apprenticeship in refrigeration and air conditioning. After exploring other work, he returned to air conditioning around ten years ago and has since worked across a wide variety of commercial environments.
His experience includes hotels, gyms, hospitals, education settings and high-end retail stores as well as other commercial settings. Along the way, he has worked with air conditioning, cold rooms, heat pumps, ductwork, air handling units and heat recovery equipment.
That breadth matters because heating, ventilation and air conditioning involve much more than the equipment you can see on the wall or ceiling.
As Rob explains, an installation can bring together pipework, electrical work, drainage, plumbing, ductwork and building work. Understanding how those elements fit together is part of getting the job right.
Rob brings his experience to PGS’s established team of multiskilled engineers, who work across heating, plumbing, air conditioning and commercial HVAC services. As HVAC & Air Conditioning Lead, he will build on that existing expertise while sharing his knowledge with colleagues.
A Problem Solver Who Takes Pride in His Work
Ask Rob what he enjoys most about his work and two things quickly emerge: solving problems and producing a tidy installation.
“I like puzzle solving,” he told us.
Fault finding gives him the opportunity to work through a problem, understand what is happening and get a system operating again. He enjoys the variety, too. Different buildings, equipment and working environments mean there is always something to think through.
When it comes to installation, his artistic side comes into play. Straight lines, neat pipework and a carefully finished job are things he takes real satisfaction in. During our conversation, Rob showed us photographs of previous installations. The care he puts into the finish was clear, as was his enthusiasm for the work itself. We would go so far as to say these installations looked very “pretty”; who knew we would say that about pipework and cabling!!
Whether he is investigating a fault or planning an installation, that combination of curiosity and craftsmanship is a valuable addition to our commercial air conditioning installation, repair and maintenance services.
Working Around the Realities of a Busy Building
Commercial work comes with practical challenges beyond the system itself.
Rob recalled an installation in a high-end watch store within a busy shopping centre. The space was narrow, the working area extended upwards and substantial ductwork had to be accommodated. With people nearby and limited room to work, the installation required careful planning.
His experience in hospitals brought a different set of challenges, with access to working areas dependent on the needs of the people using them.
These environments have helped shape his understanding of what it means to work in an operational building. The engineering matters, and so do access, timing, coordination and the people around you.
For businesses planning HVAC work, having someone who understands those realities helps make the conversation more practical from the outset.
Passing Knowledge On
Rob’s new role gives him the opportunity to combine hands-on engineering with helping other people develop their skills.
“I like teaching people when they want to be taught.”
He enjoys sharing his knowledge and helping someone understand how a system works. His advice to anyone starting out in HVAC and air conditioning is straightforward: be willing to learn and be prepared to put the work in.
“Hard work does pay off, but you’ve got to be willing to put it in.”
With so many different skills involved, there is plenty to learn. For Rob, enthusiasm, honesty and a willingness to put the work in are what matter in someone starting out.
That outlook extends to encouraging more women into HVAC and air conditioning. Having worked alongside female tradespeople, he would like to see more women consider a career in his field, with the same opportunities to learn, develop their skills and progress.
Coffee, Biscoff and an Unexpected Playlist
Of course, we couldn’t introduce Rob without asking a few important questions about life beyond the tools.
Tea or coffee? Definitely coffee.
His snack of choice is a Star Bar, although a Kinder Bueno is also welcome. If doughnuts are on offer, anything involving Biscoff is likely to win him over.
His music taste is harder to pin down. House, rave music, rock and hip-hop all feature, with Linkin Park, System of a Down and Billy Joel among the names mentioned. There should be plenty of scope for discussion around the office speakers.
And his unexpected talent? Remembering film quotes after watching a film only once. We’re keeping that in mind for the next pub quiz.
A New Chapter at PGS
Joining a new company means new faces, new systems and a different way of working. When we spoke, Rob was still finding his feet, meeting the engineers and getting to know the business.
What had already helped him make his decision was the people. Having considered two opportunities, he chose PGS because he preferred the team he met here.
We’re delighted to welcome him aboard.
As our HVAC & Air Conditioning Lead, Rob brings experience, pride in his work and a genuine enjoyment of helping others learn. We’re looking forward to seeing him put those qualities to work with our team and customers.
If your business needs help with an air conditioning fault, a new installation or planned maintenance, explore our commercial air conditioning services. For support across heating, ventilation and cooling, visit our commercial HVAC services.
Unsure what equipment you have or where to start? You can also request a free initial site evaluation through either page, or call PGS on 01908 569031 or email Rob at [email protected] to discuss your requirements.