Summer has been busy with Women in Security (WiS). Take it from me, there’s so much work that goes on behind the scenes to pull this great awards event together.
Most of Monday, July 28 I spent with the finalist panel in the boardroom of Mitie’s head office in The Shard. Nine of us from all over the country to sort the 300-plus nominations down to 17 finalists. Can I thank those that came along to do just that and in particular Emma Shaw of Mitie, our host. The panel consists of previous winners of a WiS award: Ellie Hurst of consultancy Advent IM; Jayne King, president of the NAHS (National Association for Healthcare Security), who had least far to travel as head of security for Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust – Guy’s stands only across the road from The Shard; Emma Shaw, who’s Managing Director, Mitie Intelligence Services; consultant Sarah Cork of Milieu Associates; and Lynda Moore, who runs FM Contract Watch and the ACS Pacesetters group of highest-scoring SIA-approved guarding contractors. Special thanks to Lynda for the extra help she has given us and last but not least Figen Murray OBE the Martyn’s Law campaigner who shall be on stage with me at the WiS awards on the night. Congratulations to everyone that has been nominated, you are truly already a winner. To those finalists, good luck to them, it’s in the judges hands now. All will be revealed on Thursday night, September 11 in London. Now let’s gossip!
Distribution
So many movers this month, I’ve a lot to try and share, it’s a bit like playing dodgeball. I mentioned last month that COP have sold to Videcon. It seems that’s not the case. I wasn’t wrong, it just didn’t work out for either party. I will keep you posted as to what they do next, but several people have left as you will be noting; meaning, it’s like a big swap around for distributors. Siobhan Gilmore has gone to Videcon swapping orange for blue as she says (have you ever noticed how important colours are for distributors?). She has become their senior Marketing Manager. Melanie Day has left and joined Connectec, as Sales Director, aren’t they part owned by Dynamic Technology Solutions? Apparently Connectec stands for connected technology making it easier to buy, connect and use technology. Their HQ’s in Wales where Melanie happens to live. I also see that Johnathan Hill has joined them as Commercial Director, he was of course at Dynamic for 19 years-plus before he did two years with COP. Talking of Dynamic, Declan Brown has joined them as Technical Business Development Manager. Dominic Chandler-Johnson goes green and has joined Nimans as a Regional Sales manager, with Justin Smith who has started as an internal sales manager. Nikki Jones has joined DVS as an area sales manager (they are owned by Midwich of course). No she wasn’t at COP but was at Dynamic for a while, and also joining DVS is Anthony Davis as an area sales manager for Wales. Fortus is where Michael Laurence has gone as MD as I mentioned last month. There, Alex (Alejandro) Pose-Gil (now that’s a great name!) has joined in business development and operations. Talking of Fortus did you know they have acquired Security Supplies Ltd, a independent distributor of electronic security in the UK. With branches across the south of England, they offer intruder alarms, CCTV, access control and fire systems. Before we move away from distributors, I can tell you that Natasha Jones has moved from COP to Marketing4Trade.
Manufacturers
David Barr has joined Vortex Cloud at Vivotek (part of the Delta group), as head of sales. He said he is proud to be part of a company that is shaping the future of AI-driven surveillance and VSaaS systems. David is a recognized face in the industry especially in Scotland where he started in the industry with Fife Alarms in 1999. You may know him from his time with Xtralis which became Honeywell, where he was for almost 20 years. David left Eagle Eye where Stephanie Armstrong has joined as regional sales manager for Ireland and Scotland. Peter Ward joins Synectics as their customer engagement manager; great title! Steve Harrison has/is joining Milestone Systems. Meanwhile Paul Newbury has been promoted to MD at Intrepid Security Soloutions where he has been for the last 13 years!
Installers and integrators
Richard Parke starts as the Group Sales Director for the Amthal Group, based in St Albans. Seems they are also celebrating their 25th year, congratulations there. Billy Carrington starts as head of operations for ADJ Fire and security based in Bolton. I believe; and Matt Odd has been promoted over at Reliance High-Tech to a contracts manager.
Consultants
Harinder Marwaha has joined Cornerstone as Security and Digital Building Consultant. Robert Blackmore has joined ASEG’s Security Consulting Division as an Associate Director of Security. You may know that Nathan Garner set up a business called Tech4trade? He has launched a sister company called Marketing4trade so if you need help in either field give Nathan a call.
End users
Tim Parker has been promoted to Director of Safety and Security for Harrods. Those of you that were at Twickenham with us earlier this year will have met Tony which I recall had to shoot off early as they had had an incident at the store. Well done Tim. James Doughty has started as Senior Security Solutions Manager for Next. Philip Bodle has a new position at Vantage Data Centers as Physical Security Manager. Meanwhile Nick Ricketts starts with the University of Greenwich, supporting Joe Mahamma (Head of Campus) in overseeing the security systems and working with the FM security partners, Sodexo, among other things.
