I have lots to cram in again this month – let’s get straight into it, shall we.
Let me start with my old mate Bob Groom who has been representing Flir among a few other manufacturers in recent years. He has decided to go and work solely for Flir, or to give them their full name Teledyne Flir as their Regional Sales Manager for Security. Now you may not know this but Bob is very heavily involved with the Scout movement and in fact runs a local firework display that raises over £20K a year for charity and that’s just in his spare time! That’s when he is not doing what he loves the most which is kayaking down some white waters. I don’t know how Bob finds time to work but I know he sure does.
Dave Maynard has a new position as Head of Sales at Econnect247. In fact, I saw Dave getting his Freedom of the City of London the other Wednesday as he attended the Worshipful Company of Security Professionals (WCoSP) annual Master’s lunch as did our very own Liz Lloyd. Congratulations to you both and the other nine that joined you including Julie Nel, chair of the Security Institute and no stranger to the City, having served in the City’s police force; and a former Institute chair, Prof Alison Wakefield. Likewise, congratulations also to Michael Twaites for becoming this year’s Master; he takes over from Russell Penny. A former Met Police man takes over from another!
Raff Miah has joined Texecom as head of Digital Sales for the UK. He spent some ten years plus working for the mighty BT where he started as an analyst and then became an engineer before moving into sales or account management. Let’s not talk about BT in case someone mentions Redcare as I don’t want to start a fight! See the latest news about Redcare over the page, actually.
Stuart Naisbett has started a new role, he has become the Mayor at Mirfield Town Council. Now you were not expecting that was you. I can hear him cry now “oh ya oh ya”; I wonder if he will start his tenders for security systems with that, going forward? Can’t think of a better candidate for that role. I’ll save you reaching for a GB atlas, by telling you Mirfield is next to Brighouse, in West Yorkshire. It’s actually a parish. I’ll leave Stuart to explain that.
Lots of you are moving around or being promoted. So that I don’t miss anyone out, which I am sure to do, let me briefly mention you all:
Sonny Bhamber starts a new position as operations manager at Mitie Security. Alun Stocks has joined Gardner Engineering. Wow; I used to buy products from these when I was installing CCTV systems for Rediffusion all those years ago.
Marc Roth has started as Commercial Key Account Manager for Custom Intelligent Security. Habby Uppal has a new role as Key Account manager for Royal Mail at ISS Facility Services UK. Scot Gray has been promoted to Associate Director at RS Security Consultants. Arjan Gurdev starts a new position as Technical Product Support Manager at Salto Systems. Julian Free also has a new position, as Head of Scaling UK and Ireland for BauWatch UK and Ireland, the temporary-mobile CCTV tower suppliers.
Tony Barnes has left Abloy UK after three years and has joined SimonsVoss Technologies as area Sales Manager for the central area and Wales. Paul Taylor is starting as Business Development Manager for Synguard, the access management firm. Chris Laird starts as Fire and Security Director at JGM – that’s short for John G Mackintosh. Mark Death has started a new role as Lead Group Physical Security at Flutter Entertainment PLC; you might know their brands Paddy Power and Betfair better. Mark whose last name is pronounced Dee-ath is very much involved behind the scenes in the Worshipful Company and we all thank you for that.
Bob (stands for Best of Best as Bob once told me) Hwang has a new position as Chief Executive Officer at IntellisellAI. Bob of course was the UK Managing Director for Hanwha (pictured) some years ago. Abloy UK has appointed Simon Wilson as Business Development Manager for healthcare.
Gunnebo Entrance Control is promoting Jamie Keyte to Country Manager for the UK and Ireland, to oversee all business, sales and operations. Kentec Electronics, the manufacturer of life safety products, has appointed Mike Estall as Senior Specification Development Manager. Phew, I think that’s me got you all, sorry if I missed you but don’t forget someone has to tell me, otherwise I would never know!
New markets
Zitko Group, the recruiters in the fire and security sector, are expanding into Ireland. Heading that up is Managing Consultant, Aaron McDonald. Aaron joined the business in 2023 and has already set up Zitko in the area, the UK based team says.
Acquisitions
ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions is acquiring Axxess Industries Inc, an electronics and smart technologies firm covering hotels and the residential sector. Axxess products will be offered alongside Vingcard, the main brand for ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions in hospitality.
Resideo Technologies, Inc (the North American owners of the distributors ADI if you had forgotten) has agreed to acquire Snap One. The company will integrate into Resideo’s ADI Global Distribution business. Snap One are in the smart living market and offer the Control4 technology platforms. Judging by what the firms say, they’re combining the physical branch footprint of ADI and the digital products of Snap One.
Ranger Fire and Security has acquired the fire suppression business, IPH Fire Solutions. Based in the North West, IPH Fire offers national coverage, including maintenance and removal. Founded in 2014 by Manging Director Niall Hackett, IPH Fire has a major focus on data centres, kitchens and restaurants.
And Gunnebo Entrance Control has announced its acquisition of DG Concept and Diadem, a French entrance control, design, installation and service company.
