A happy Halloween to everyone! Yep it’s October, and will soon be Christmas. Greetings cards are in the shops, so tell me who has got their tree up already, I bet someone has!
Ok let’s do some gossip: and let’s start with Ipsotek, an Eviden business, itself part of Atos Group. Fares Djenandji has been appointed Chief Growth Officer (CGO), and Rayan Cherri has been named Chief Marketing Officer (CMO). With over a decade at the company, Fares has played a key role in shaping the company’s global pre-sales and sales operations, the firm says. As CGO, he says: “I’ve been fortunate to be part of Ipsotek’s journey from its early years to where we are today,” said Fares. “This role is about building on that foundation, applying what we’ve learned, embracing new ideas, and working as a team to drive the business forward.”
Rayan meanwhile brings regional and global market experience to her role as CMO. She played a key role in the company’s early expansion across the Middle East and Africa, and more recently, in building its global marketing channels. Now, she will oversee the marketing vision, with a focus on strengthening brand presence, driving market-led growth, and ensuring customer insights remain at the core. I know a magazine that can help her just do that! “Ipsotek has always been defined by innovation and impact, but this next chapter presents unprecedented opportunity,” said Rayan. “In a crowded market, clear communication, sharp positioning, and deep market understanding are essential to driving meaningful growth. I am honoured and excited to work with the team at such a pivotal time.”
Director
The Double Check Security Group of companies has appointed Demelza Staples as Group Process and Transformation Director. The firm says she brings experience in driving business transformation, embedding change and optimising systems. She has held senior leadership roles in security companies and with major retailers and is an active member in the Women in Security network. Demelza said: “Having previously completed some consultancy work with the group I am delighted to now be joining Double Check Group at this pivotal stage in their journey. The business has a strong reputation for delivering exceptional security services with a people-first culture. I was particularly drawn to Andrew’s vision for the Group – to combine industry-leading compliance and technology with an unwavering focus on client service. I look forward to ensuring our processes and systems evolve to support growth, empower our people, and deliver the very best results for our clients.”
And founder of Double Check Group, Andrew Bannon, added: “I’m excited to welcome Demelza to the senior leadership team. Her track record in change management and transformation, combined with her retail, hospitality and security industry expertise, make her the ideal fit as we scale the business and enhance our client offering. Attracting someone of Demelza’s calibre underlines our ambition to set the benchmark in professional security services.”
Axis Communications have been busy recruiting! Simon Emmons has become Sales Manager, UK and Ireland. He will be covering physical security, but also offering the company’s products for the purposes of business intelligence and operational efficiency, using the video data drawn from network cameras. Simon joins with experience in director-level channel positions, and having managed partnerships within specification sales programs across multi-national and local small business. And Justin Hawkesford as Manager – Sales Engineering and Training brings over 20 years’ experience in the security industry to the position, to cover the UK and Ireland. He will be supporting the Axis UK sales team to unlock opportunities not only in the traditional security market, but, again, by exploring concepts outside the market such as operational efficiency and safety.
Hanwha Aerospace has named Ben Hudson as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to head the company’s defence operations in Europe and the UK. Hudson, who serves as CEO of Hanwha Defense Australia (HDA), will also oversee Hanwha’s operations across the region.
Linda Trivedi, pictured, has joined Solink as head of International Sales. Now, for those who don’t know, Solink helps businesses turn video security into insights, providing intelligence that can improve operations, reduce risk, and drive better decision making. Linda said “Solink is still the industry’s best-kept secret”.
Liam Twyman has left Brivo after three and a half years, to join Balthorne Security Solutions as Head of Sales. They supply and install security products to the commercial and residential sectors, and operate their own service and maintenance department, whose engineers carry out preventive work and respond quickly to callouts. They operate a next-day callout service in London and the Home Counties, and can arrange same-day visits for urgent issues.
In brief:
James Needham has joined Texecom as regional sales manager. Jason Cooper (no relation to myself) has started with Chubb Systems as sales director. Andy Burton becomes social housing manager at Comelit-PAC. Charlie Bennett joins IntelexVision as business development director.
Distributors:
I mentioned Claire Hedley who had joined COP but left; she is now with A-Safe Group. Paul Jones joins Satsecure as a business development manager (BDM). Declan Brown joins Dynamic CCTV as technical business development manager. Anthony Davis joins DVS as area sales manager for Wales. Andy Marshall joins ADI Global as Data Governance Manager, and Fortus Group has acquired Security Suppliers. Talking of acquisitions: Skills for Security have acquired the remaining 49.9 per cent of its shares from the BSIA.
The identity product company HID has signed an agreement to acquire Calmell Group, a Spanish manufacturer of smart cards, smart paper tickets and magnetic tickets, primarily for the public transportation vertical. HID says this expands its portfolio to include smart paper and magnetic tickets, as well as provides a stronger geographic foothold in the public transport space, particularly in Spain, the European Union, Northern Africa, and Latin America.
Amthal Group Companies has acquired the fire and security assets of Serv Group; services, including remote monitoring where applicable, will continue without interruption, and the Serv team will remain in place to support clients during the transition and beyond.
Charity:
Peter Hutchinson from JCI Security Products is climbing Mount Kilimanjaro to raise money for the MacMillan cancer charity. Peter said we have lost a few people from the industry to cancer and it’s a charity close to his heart; so he has set up a justgiving page, let’s give him some support!
