At Celsius Hire, we love to shine a light on the people who keep things ticking. This week, we had a chat with father and son team, Richard and Kyle, who are part of our brilliant engineering crew. We talked about everything from their favourite installs to what it’s like working together out on the road.
We grabbed a cuppa and sat down with them to chat about their favourite jobs, what they love about working at Celsius, and what it’s really like working side by side with your dad (or your son!)
But before we hear from Rich and Kyle; we should rewind to well over a decade ago… where our now director Neil Payne met Richard for the first time!
“I first met Richard over a decade ago when we were both employed by leading chiller hire companies; these two companies happened to collaborate on the same project! Bringing us as two chiller engineers to an ice rink installation at Hyde Park during the summer to promote the Sochi Winter Olympics. Again, a little while later, I had the pleasure of working together again providing cooling the London Olympics. Through these experiences, I came to recognise Richard as an outstanding engineer and a valuable asset to his organisation, and our professional relationship was defined by significant mutual respect… Little did either of us know that one day Richard would be joining my team at Celsius Hire”
Today, Richard has become an integral member of our expanding talent pool, consistently delivering excellent results with professionalism and reliability.
After Richard started with Celsius Hire; we’d heard stories of his son Kyle… an up and coming engineer. With Richards impressive skill and outstanding expertise… we knew the apple wouldn’t have fallen to far from the tree. So just months after Richard we welcomed Kyle to the team.
“From my initial interactions with Kyle, it was apparent that he possessed a strong work ethic and a proactive attitude. His willingness to approach even the most challenging tasks with confidence is a rare quality in today’s industry. When Kyle joined Celsius Hire, I recognised great potential in him, and I am confident that our team provides an environment where his talents can be further developed. Development is huge for us; with decades of knowledge from myself and Richard (as well as other team members) we work hard to educate and grow our teams knowledge base. Kyle represents one of three emerging professionals within our group, and I am certain they will surpass the achievements of the previous generation.”
Alright! Lets hear from Richard and Kyle themselves…
Kyle, was engineering always the plan for you? Or did you get roped in by your dad?
Kyle:
Honestly, I followed in his footsteps without even realising it at first. I spent a lot of time as a kid going to work with Dad — I was fascinated by it all. It felt normal to be on-site. It was always something I wanted to do.
Richard:
I applied for a service engineer role after deciding I fancied a bit of a career change from working in irrigation previously. When I first started, I honestly thought a chiller was just somewhere you put the milk! Let’s just say I’ve come a long way since then.
What’s it like working together?
Kyle:
When it happens we work really well. We’ve got a good flow on site, and I enjoy learning from Dad. He’s got loads of experience, and I’ve picked up so much just by watching and getting stuck in beside him. It’s also been great meeting and working with the rest of the team; it’s been brilliant to get knowledge and expertise from other talented engineers!
Richard:
We know how each other works, and that makes a big difference. It’s not often you get to work this closely with family, but for us, it just clicks. It’s been great we have banter, we are in sync and he’s so keen to grow – he’s a talent to watch out for!
And what made you both want to join Celsius Hire?
Richard and Kyle:
There’s a lot to love about this place. First off, the people. It’s a proper team. Everyone’s approachable, there’s always a laugh, and you’re made to feel appreciated. Management is close and involved, and you feel like you’re part of something that’s growing fast. It’s just a good vibe all around and most importantly, everyone’s pulling in the same direction. We both felt at home instantly with such a warm welcome and one of the team instantly.
Rich:
Honestly, it’s the people. We feel genuinely appreciated here. The management is really hands-on and approachable, which makes a big difference. There’s no top-down nonsense — it feels like we’re all in it together.
The atmosphere is great too. There’s always some banter, plenty of laughs, and a proper team vibe. It’s also nice to be part of something that’s growing. You can feel the momentum building, and that’s exciting to be around.
We’ve had a busy season! What has it been like for you both?
Kyle:
Yeah, it’s been full on, but in the best way! There’s been loads of installs, and what makes it fun is that every one of them has been a bit different. Different setups, different requirements, different challenges. It’s been great to experience a bit of everything!
Richard:
Every job keeps you on your toes, and that’s what makes it enjoyable. You’re always thinking, solving problems, and building on your skills.
Kyle and Rich:
No two days are the same — and that’s exactly what we love about it. One day you’re in the south, the next you’re up north. It keeps things fresh and interesting.
We also love being out and about, travelling the length and width of the country. You get to see loads of places, meet different people, and work in all sorts of environments.
But more than anything, we both just really enjoy being part of Celsius. It’s somewhere we actually want to come into each day. And yeah, working together as father and son is a bit of a bonus too!
Big thanks to Richard and Kyle for the chat — and for everything they bring to the Celsius team. If you’re ever lucky enough to cross paths with them on-site, you’ll quickly see why we’re proud to have them on board.
Want to learn more about our people and what we do?
Check us out at celsiushire.com
