Here we are 2022. May I wish you all a very happy and prosperous new year, may you achieve all those goals that you have set this year, and let’s hope this is the year that everything you ever wished for comes true.
Am looking forward to getting back to a normal year – well, a normal diary; it was a very busy five months from June, with us cramming all our Security TWENTY events into that period; but this year we are back to the norm starting at the Birmingham Metropole Hotel on Thursday, February 17. Our usual charity night will be the night before on the 16th. Do come along and support the charity, Footprints Conductive Education Centre; visit the stands or just network with your customers and peers. We are really proud of what we have achieved with the ST roadshows, and the amount of money we have raised over the years. I know everyone enjoys them for all different reasons, so come along you will be more than welcome.
We are also back with the 11th Women in Security (WiS) awards in the Shakespeare Underglobe Theatre on London’s South Bank on Wednesday, September 14. The deadline to submit your nomination is August 5; so get those nominations in. The chances are that you do know a woman that has impressed you in the industry – make the effort to get her recognised. The form online is as simple as I could make it – just nip onto our website click on WIS awards and follow the links. At the 2022 ceremony, we are launching the Women in Security Academy, read more about that in Una’s column on page 28 of the January print edition.
We were the first in the UK to introduce an award to recognise the contribution that women make to our industry, and to try and attract more to join the sector, and this is just the next step in the growing success that the awards have had. What’s more it is a great party night, a great opportunity to join in the celebrations and show your support, and a great night to entertain be it customers or your own staff.
Let’s gossip shall we?
At Vicon, Amid Al Shanteer has been appointed as UK Sales Manager, Amid has 23 years of experience in access control, CCTV and mainly integrated systems having worked at HID Global, Galaxy Access Control, G4S Technology, and Lenel. His long career within the industry has educated him on how to design solutions that best match the exact needs of his customers. Amid has knowledge of access control and large system project sales in the Middle East and the UK in various markets including government, banks, airports, healthcare and more. He has a BEng Degree in Electronic Engineering from the University of Westminister in London.
Oprema has appointed Carl Spencer as Commercial Director. In a career spanning 25 years, Carl has experience within the security industry and has been for the latter three years in roles at Oprema. In his new position, Carl will be responsible for the sales strategy, managing sales activities, and identifying new markets. As one of the senior leadership, Carl will also help to set the company’s strategy. I first met Carl in 1999 when he was working with Kevan Fegan, at VIS, who were then competitors to me as I was at MVD. Carl, pictured, said: “I am thrilled to be given this opportunity, I have big shoes to fill but I’m genuinely very excited. Oprema is built of first-class people and I’m looking forward to working closer with the wider team and learning about different aspects of the business.” Matthew Epps, Managing Director added: “Carl has gone from strength to strength at Oprema. He is hard working, ambitious and has the right experience and passion for the role. He is well respected within Oprema and the wider industry and has enduring relationships with many of our key customers. The fact he is an internal appointment speaks not just of his qualities as a candidate but also of the extraordinary talent, strengths and depth of expertise we have at Oprema.”
Dame Julie Kenny DBE DL has been elected to serve as Chair of the UK’s Security and Resilience Industry Suppliers Community (RISC). Julie, a former chair of the British Security Industry Association (BSIA) between 2010-12 and the Security Equipment Manufacturers section twice between 1998 and 2004, started her career in litigation before turning to manufacturing, founding BSIA members Pyronix Limited in 1986, which is now a multi-million pound global organisation. Julie also holds a CBE, DBE and an Honorary Doctorate from Sheffield Hallam University in recognition of her contribution to business and community in the South Yorkshire region, receiving the Freedom of the Borough of Rotherham, her hometown, in 2021. Taking over from Sir Kevin Tebbit, Julie will commence her role in January 2022.
Mike Reddington, Chief Executive of the BSIA, said: “The association is delighted that Dame Julie has been elected to be the Chair of RISC. Her commitment to the BSIA and the wider security sector has truly influenced the landscape of our industry, and her strategic expertise and extensive knowledge of the public, private and voluntary sectors make her a perfect fit for such an important role.”
Dame Julie, on accepting the role, said: “It is an honour for me to accept the role as Chair of RISC and I would like to thank Sir Kevin for his significant contribution in progressing its important work “I believe my knowledge and experience of how central government works, together with the strategic leadership experience I have gained in ensuring the progression of all the organisations I have been involved with during my career will enable me to continue the vital work of this alliance.”
Acquisition:
Kings Secure Technologies (KST) has completed the acquisition of fire risk assessment and risk management reporting software firm, Quidvis Ltd. The Quidvis solution provides property owners the ability to review their risks across their estate, allocate work internally or externally, recording works carried out, budgets allocated, and work signed off. Property owners can upload certificates, work orders and policies covering all aspects of managing fire risk. This allows Quidvis to provide their clients with a ‘Golden Thread’ of fire risk management, for every property in their estate.
