Roy's Monthly Gossip

Here we are in February

by Mark Rowe

Here we are in February already, so a happy Valentine’s day to you. Don’t forget, and you have no excuse now as I’ve just reminded you.

Let’s get into the gossip, shall we. Firstly Sara Fisher (pictured, formerly Bullock) has joined 360 Vision Technology as their business development director. Now Sara has been in the industry since 1997, most of that time (just over 22 years in fact) working over at AMG Systems. Sara completed an MBA in Developing Businesses with commendation in 2008. She has specialties in developing new and existing client relationships, securing new business, commercial awareness, excellent communication and inter-personal skills, and people management.

Meanwhile at transmission product company AMG they are expanding their sales and technical support with the appointment of Amanda Cowell, I assume no relation to Simon? Sales and Technical Support Manager Ian Creary says that Amanda will be providing pre and post-sales technical support. Previously a network engineer with responsibilities ranging from on-site installations to maintenance, Amanda has worked on projects in the UK, including Transport for London, and overseas in Europe, and the USA.

Jim Gallon is back at CCTVdirect. Jim re-joins the distributor as Commercial Director. Having already been at the company for six and a half years, he has recently been working at a CCTV installation company as sales director, so is (CCTVdirect are saying and evidently thinking) well-positioned to help installation companies and system integrators win more business. Jim now has over 13 years of experience working in CCTV distribution, manufacturing and national installation. CCTVdirect CEO Mark Raine said: “I am sure the role will develop and adapt to meet the demands of their clients and the business in general.” I understand that he will be working closely with their existing customers, whilst setting up new strategic partnerships.

Sean Grigg joined Suprema Inc the biometrics firm in the summer as a business development manager for the UK and Ireland; my apologies, that seemed to have slipped me by or rather didn’t make it to this page. Sean, here you go, your 15 minutes of fame, and welcome to our world.

Aiphone has appointed Kyle Thomas-Dustan as Technical Support Engineer. He came to the intercoms firm from X4 Group Ltd where he completed his apprenticeship as a first line IT support technician. He distinguished himself so I am informed as a team player and provided added support onsite and remotely, liaising with customer with technical issues.

Greg Stuttle, Business Development Manager at GJD tells me he is planning another karting event this year, in aid of Down Syndrome Extra 21. Or rather a six hour endurance kart race, at Bickmore Park in Kent. The teams last year helped raise £12,000. As most of you will already know, this is the charity’s main funder of the year, for it to carry on its work. Kart costs will remain the same at £400 per kart (for a team of five that’s £80 each). The date for 2020 is set for Saturday, May 16. Reserve your kart and book your team’s place with a deposit of £50. As was last year, Greg’s asking each team to agree to raise a minimum of £250 sponsorship. Any combination of bid for grid, buying of laps, or pure donations. See this link – https://www.justgiving.com/extra21.

Let me conclude with the news about distributor Anixter. It appears that another US-based electrical supplies distributor Wesco is taking over the company, having, according to the Wall Street Journal, said it would pay about $100 a share for Anixter, including $70 in cash and roughly $30 in a mix of common shares and new series of preferred stock. Anixter had said that Wesco’s latest bid constituted a superior proposal to its deal to be acquired by CD&R, and that New York firm waived its matching right and terminated its take-over agreement. The buyout firm is entitled to a $100m breakup fee, which Wesco previously said it would pay. The buyout firm said it has no hard feelings, describing the merger of Anixter and Wesco as ‘industry defining’. Wesco said Anixter shareholders will own about 16 per cent of the combined company upon closing of the deal, expected in the second or third quarter. You’re wondering, what does that mean Anixter’s worth? About $3 billion, and Wesco is a bit less than that. For both companies, it’s hard to describe what they do, because they supply everything – cables, lighting, broadband and data communications, besides security and safety products.

Nothing else for you now, other than to say I hope to see you at our first Security TWENTY event of the year, ST20 in the Hilton Metropole Hotel at the NEC by Birmingham International Airport, on Wednesday evening, February 19, for the charity dinner where IFSEC owners UBM yet again will be putting on a free bar, yes, you read that correctly, and a free bar; and the main event if we are still standing, is the exhibition and conference on the Thursday, February 20. Hope to see you there and don’t forget (hot buffet) lunch or/and breakfast (bacon butties) are on me.

Our special STS event in Wales runs on March 26 and 27; then, we go to Glasgow on April 22, Manchester on July 14, Belfast and Dublin in September 8 and 10, and back to London on November 5. Of course the night before each will be the charity dinners. They are a great way to entertain your clients and network while we have some fun and raise money for a local and related charity. So come along as my guest, to any or even all of them. Just ask.

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