It’s November so be careful with those fireworks. I have lots of gossip this month so let’s get down to it with a whizz and a bang!?
Gone bang if you will excuse the pun is Tecton. I had heard that they had gone but wanted to hear it from Chris Hall himself before I mentioned it and who (as you may know) is not well, Chris told me: “We have self-destructed!!! Our spare parts and repairs are available from another company: https://www.jthts.co.uk/. Please could you put this on your site or somewhere. I have retired due to ill health. Except it’s very boring at home!” Such a great shame as it was a lovely company and Chris is a lovely man.
So with a whizz there are a fair few who are off to new companies. I’m starting, and in no particular order, with John May. He has left EET (formerly ProVision) and joined another distributor, Mayflex. John joined the Birmingham-based business at the end of August. He comes from a security distribution background, as I mentioned, so is familiar with the business model used by Mayflex to reach the market and its customers. John’s career background is largely security-based and has covered business development, field sales and account management. He even worked with me briefly back in the MVD days.
Talking distribution, Frankie Bellavia from Security Dynamics wants to show off his team so pictured from left to right are Brian Stirrup, Sharon Carmichael, Jamie Storey, Rakesh Chandna, Tony Norton, Frankie himself, Sharon-Anne Ross, Andy Alexander and Claire Gabites. Lucky I didn’t use the grumpy faces, eh Frankie!?
Carl Spencer has left Flir and joined Oprema. Carl has over 22 years within security distribution, installation and most recently manufacturing. Carl begun his career with Norbain, where he spent over 12 years, in positions including Business Development and Key Account Management for their Corporate Division. And talking of Flir seems that Karen Churchill has also left and joined Veracity.
Geoff Bowers has left Assa Abloy and joined RBH. Geoff told me that part of the deal with joining Assa was that he needed to move to Manchester but that proved to be a challenge for him and his family and RBH wanted someone to run the UK, so enter Geoff.
Simon Green has left Bosch and gone to join the dark side – installation that is, or is manufacturing the dark side? I don’t know! Anyway Simon has joined Spanish company Prosegur. Apparently they are a global company working in the private security sector, with three business lines, Prosegur Alarms, Prosegur Security and Prosegur Cash. They provide companies, homes and businesses with security, they operate in 24 countries on five continents, they have 175,000 employees and sales of 4,291 mm euros (2017) so no Fred in the shed!
In brief
Ashley Wyton, sales leader at Honeywell, told me Graham Sims has joined as Business Development Manager looking at new specification business. He joins from Heras Fencing where he was Sales Manager.
Mike Allison told me: “So, after a long 18 years, I decided the time was about right to make the change. I left WEC last Friday (September 28) after a fantastic 18 years, and have moved on to the below company, Safeplace Security, looking after all things civils to our industry.”
Chantel Smith of Inner Range has joined Total Security Protection as business development manager (BDM). Jermaine Campbell has left WD and joined Seagate. Liz Petrook has left Frontline and joined Evolution, running the service department as she has been doing for many years. And talking of Evolution, Joe Rushworth, Technical Engineer at the fire and security installer, has cycled 980 miles in nine days in the Deloitte Ride Across Britain (DRAB) and raised over £2,500 for Cancer Research UK. Since it began in 2009, thousands of cyclists have taken the Land’s End to John O’Groats route. Good for them!
Promotions
Wyatt Taylor has been promoted to MD at AiPhone, and Harvey Williams joins him as general sales manager. Wyatt said: “I am very pleased to be given the opportunity to provide leadership for the Aiphone UK team,”
Likewise Mark Rees has been promoted to MD at 360 Vision. He says: “After 16 years of predominantly being in sales focused, I feel massively privileged and proud to be taking on the role of Managing Director. This will allow Phil Burton to step back from his day-to-day management at 360 Vision, and focus more on the strategic direction and opportunities that present themselves.”
Acquisitions
We have had a few this month so briefly. Mitie have bought VSG from Compass, UTC have bought S2 and merged it with Lenel. HID have bought biometric firm Crossmatch, and Amberstone acquired Cardinal Security from administration. Ask me for more details if you wish sadly not enough room to expand on these.
Sad news
It is with great sadness that I have to announce that a stalwart of the video security industry sadly passed away recently after a long battle with illness. Bryan Edwards, an ex-member of the Pelco family, was a leading figure in setting up and consolidating the training team within Pelco. He was the go-to-guy for knowledge and experience. He was a calming and unflappable presence in training. Anyone who was trained by Bryan will have left with the knowledge and skills required to become an effective engineer in our field. Bryan was with Pelco for many years when he was seen by all who knew him as professional and personable. A willing listener whose advice was eagerly sought and given. All our thoughts are with his family and friends and he will be sadly missed by all those who had the honour to know him.
