-optimized.jpg){kind=avatar}
Here we are, in 2025! May I wish you all a very happy new year, and I wonder what it has in store for us. Lots of exciting things, I hope.
A first bit of gossip for you! I start with John Davies of TDSi, as you may know John has decided it’s time to hang up his hat and retire. He joined TDSi in 2003, and led a management buy-out of the business in February 2005. In 2019 he oversaw the next chapter of the proverbial journey when it joined Vitaprotech. He’s someone known in the wider security industry, as he’s put in time on the BSIA and Worshipful Company of Security Professionals. He was struck down with some illness last year which he fully recovered from but I am sure has made him realise that none of us are invincible, we wish you well John.
Now I love a great success story and here are a couple: Spencer Marshall has left HID after 18 years of working his way up the ladder, and has joined Gallagher Security as the Executive Vice President as of November. Huge congratulations Spencer Iโm sure you donโt need it but the very best of luck in your new role. Patrick Jefferies, Abloy UKโs Commercial Director, has notched up 30 years of service to the company and indeed the industry. Pat started as a Regional Sales Representative in 1994, and has progressed through various roles, including National Sales Manager, Academy Director, and to Commercial Director in 2011. David Mountfield has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer at Texecom. Now David has been promoted from within as he was their Chief Revenue Officer. And let’s mention that Paul Pope has served as an FIA Director for six years and has contributed to the Fire Detection and Alarm Council and Service Council for over 14 years. He’s been re-elected.
Let’s rattle through a few. John Bertram starts a new position as UK sales Director at Honeywell (HBS). Shaun Coyle has started a new position as Director at Cloudbase security solutions ltd, James Cresswell starts as the new MD at Cress Security Company Ltd. Paul French (who loves a bit of karaoke, I have video proof) has joined ARC Monitoring as their New Business Manager, Paul has been in the monitoring business for some time as he was with Fenix Monitoring and earlier with G4S so he is the man in the know! Craig De-Lara (a great name) starts a new position as Chief Commercial officer at Nene Ventures. Amra Zahirovic starts as Technical Sales at Orbis Protect. Mark Pridmore is now an account Director at Liaison Group! Mark Pennington starts as the Commercial and Technical Director at Ocular. Now, surely that’s two jobs?
Debbie Ashall is excited about her new role as Regional Account Manager for Hanwha Vision. They have also recruited Ian James as their head of UK and Ireland sales engineering. Steve Smith has a new position at Zada Technology as a BDM (business development manager). Zak Thompson also starts, as a BDM, for the UK and Ireland at Mobotix AG. Ricky Morton starts as a client account manager/project manager for security solutions at Sensco Systems. David Wood joins Veracity as a BDM; you may recall Davis was with Dynamic Security Solutions for a couple of years and has been in the industry, from what I remember, since 2003 when he was at Pyronix. Good luck Dave. Derek Barnard starts with the Sentinel Group Security as a BDM. Sean Garrett starts as a senior project manager at LJW Group. Andy Thomas Joins Motorola Solutions as Channel Account Manager for the North and the Midlands. Martin Harrold becomes a works manager at Trinity Fire and Security Systems. Chris Pattinson starts as Head of Fire and Security for DFP Services. Konrad Weinert becomes a Principle Analyst at Analog Devices. James Needham joins Redvision CCTV as their Southern Sales Manager. Ashley Howe joins i-Pro EMEA as a sales engineer.
Stuart Fisher starts a new position as Head of Fire and Security at Unique Group Southern. Brian Gallagher starts as an engineer at Johnson Controls UK and Ireland. Likewise Ben Matthews joins them as Regional Performance Manager. Michael Hogg has left HCA Healthcare after seven years, and accepted a role as Global Head of Physical Security for Sportradar. Good luck Michael. Stephen McCourt starts as head of venue and event safety at ICC Belfast. Phil Chapman starts a new position as Security Divisional Lead at Red Bear Tech.
Talking again of HID, it has acquired IXLA, an Italian manufacturer of laser and colour personalisation systems for cards and passports. This expands HIDโs card and passport portfolio, particularly in European markets and emerging economies, they say. Churches Fire Security Ltd are looking to expand in the UK through acquisitions, I’m told.
If I missed you, Iโm sorry, you only have to tell me and I will get you in next time. On a sad note it is with a heavy heart I have to inform you that Gavin Green has passed away. He went to sleep apparently and never woke up just this week, he was only 55 and a great guy. I understand it was a heart attack. Pictured is Gavin and I at one of the magazine’s Security TWENTY events. Rest in peace, my friend.
