We enter the month of August and the nights are now starting to draw in! Let’s keep you up to date with all that gossip you love to read about, starting with Mark Hirst at Evolution (Electronic Security Solutions).
He has been promoted to Senior Sales Manager. I’m sure that does not mean because he is the oldest!? I’m sure it’s because of his dedication to the company – Mark joined in October 2014, almost ten years ago now, but has really worked for them since 2008. You may recall he slipped away for a couple of years and went to work with Hanwha. That was him turning from poacher to game keeper then returning to being a poacher; something he clearly does well, hence his promotion.
Talking of promotions David Cohen has been promoted to Commercial Director for Security Dynamics where he started as Head of sales. It seems David joined the industry in 2008 and has always worked for distributors.
Zitko Group has promoted Laura Raven to Managing Director, UK, that the company (they were among our exhibitors at ST Manchester last month) marks a significant step in the company’s growth in the UK market. Laura’s new role will see the recruitment firm’s specialist technical division move under her leadership and allow for closer working partnerships across the company divisions in the UK.
Likewise Reese Hughes has been promoted at Think Systems as their new Operations Manager. Gunnebo Entrance Control has appointed Jason Gough as a dedicated UK Head of Sales. In a career spanning more than ten years in the security industry, Jason has headed sales with specialist companies, including Stanley Security and Intelligent Building Group.
Hannah Granville has started a new position as Security Manager for BYLOR at Hinckley Point. You may know that Hannah was at HS2 before she moved lock stock and dog down to Bristol for her new role. Rob Bullen has joined Mast Digital as their southern regional sales manager. Now Rob and I go back many years as I started working with Rob back in my Imigix days in the 1990s, or was it 2000s. Rob was their southern sales manager there too and I do remember meeting him once in the middle of summer at his house, and Rob had his Christmas tree still up! He told me he keeps it up all year and only when it’s Christmas does he put the lights on? And if he offers you a Christmas present be warned; he tends to cook a bacon and egg sandwich and wrap it up for you; nothing wrong with that other than he will cook the sandwich a week or so before he gives it to you. Good luck Rob.
In brief
Mark Emery starts a new position as the CEO (Chief Operating Officer) at Compliance Group Fire; James Cox joins IDL (Integrated Design Limited) as their new sales manager for London and all places inside the M25! Where I am basically! Derek Todd has joined Aiphone as a regional sales manager. Gavin Wilson starts a new job as a consultant after having worked with The Keyholding Company. His first client was The Keyholding Company but he’s open to help anyone else that needs his help.
Anniversaries
Andrew Percival is celebrating 40 years at Mayflex, having joined them as their 16th employee. Congratulations Andrew, I think you should celebrate by doing the Abba Tea party as I know how much you love them. Andrew is not the only one celebrating 40 years, as so are Axis Communications who started in the year 1984.
New office
The family-owned Scottish installer Pointer opened its newest office in Inverness on July 9, for covering northern Scotland. Their five decades of experience includes working with large blue-chip clients in sectors such as utilities, government, and custodial facilities. And talking of new offices Motorola Solutions is opening a Research and Development Centre in Cork, in the Republic of Ireland. The centre will be designing software for Motorola’s land mobile radio (LMR) products. The centre will create 200 jobs, supporting public safety agencies worldwide.
Businesses
CLD has announced it has acquired Cova Security Gates (CSG), in a multi-million-pound buy-out. Milestone Systems and Arcules are merging, as of July 1, the companies offering video management software, analytics, and cloud-based solutions. Milestone Systems speaks of providing a complete video technology offering.
Losses
It’s been a sad month as we have lost three greats from the industry. Andrew Graham has died at the age of 62, but he did say to me a couple of years ago that he had the best life! Also after battling with cancer for many years Ian Witham from Grattes has died, and last but not least Tom Filce has died as well. Tom had moved to Axis Communications but prior to that had spent 22 years at Mayflex. All will be sadly missed.
