Be safe with those fireworks this month and talking of some explosive news let’s get started with that gossip you all so love to read about.
OK. Let’s start with Arecont Vision – lots happened with these guys, but to sum it up — Raul Calderon, who joined in 2007, has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer and General Manager, and will continue to report to Dr Kaplinsky (CEO and founder) and Dr Berezin (President and founder). Calderon is now responsible for the day to day operation of the company, with Sales, Marketing, and Support now added to his most recent portfolio of Operations, Engineering/R&D, and Product Development/Manufacturing. Kyle Parker, most recently Vice President North America Sales – West, is promoted to Vice President, Americas (US, Canada, Mexico, Latin/South America). Mitch Fagundes has been promoted to Vice President of Global Strategic Accounts from his previous role as Director of Business Development. Fanjet Bardhan is now Vice President of EMEAI, adding Europe to his previous leadership responsibilities for the Middle East, India, and Africa. Paul Tagger, pictured, is promoted to Managing Director, Europe under Mr Bardhan. He previously was country manager for the UK and Ireland. And last but not least Scott Schafer, who has been Executive Vice President of Arecont Vision for the past nine years, has left the company. Seems Scott won’t be disappearing from the industry by any means, however, as he also serves on the Executive Committee and the Board of the Security Industry Association (SIA). Scott is the incoming Chairman-Elect, and takes up the mantle of Chairman of the SIA in 2018.
Veracity have appointed Chris Norton as Sales Director for EMEA, yes the very same Chris Norton who was at Northern Computers, remember them, who were bought by Honeywell, of course; he spent some time with Neurodynamics, and more recently at Senstar but has been out of the industry for some time due to illness, however he is now back, of course, and raring to go.
Also off due to family illness was Chris Brown from ADI, you may know he spent some eight years there, anyway he is now at Oncam as business development manager. Chris has been in the industry since 1992 where he started at Dedicated Micros! Also worked at Baxall like me and etc etc.
All men so far, but you don’t need me to tell you that the industry and the world is not all about men. Hikvision UK & Ireland have appointed Louise Parsons as Senior Business Development Manager for the South West of England region. Louise has over 15 years’ experience in the security industry having worked at DVS, ADI and Norbain, all HIKVision distributors of course. She reports to Sales Director Gary Harmer who I reported on some months ago was joining but is now very much in the role.
Talking of DVS they have appointed Jason Povey as area sales manager covering the Home Counties and north of the M4 corridor. Jason has been in the security industry for over ten years and started as an installer and even purchased equipment from DVS. He then progressed to a technical support role and then from there to a UK pPre-sales role both held with major national CCTV brands.
Staying in Wales for a minute, Oprema tell me that after their move to a new 15,000 sq ft premises after securing a co-investment from HSBC and Finance Wales, they have created 15 new jobs across various departments over the past few months. Based at Eastgate Business Park in Cardiff they are calling themselves the UK’s fastest growing multi-discipline security distributor. Those latest appointments reflective of the continued growth of the business. Joining the Finance team is Geraint Real, who has taken the position of Finance Assistant. They also welcome Harriet Butler as Personal Assistant to the MD, Matthew Epps. The technical team has seen the appointment of Anthony Philips as Systems Builder, who has 20 years’ experience in the security industry.
TDSI have promoted Alex Ramsey to Director of UK Sales. Alex had been Channel Partner Manager at the Poole-based company.
Access Control Related Enterprises, LLC (ACRE), owner of Vanderbilt, a manufacturer of access control, intrusion and video solutions, and ComNet, a manufacturer of video and data transmission equipment, has announced the sale of Mercury Security Products (Mercury) to HID Global (HID), a subsidiary of ASSA ABLOY, AB.
And finally now is the time to get your tickets for the Worshipful Company of Security Professionals’ spring ball as always organised by past Company Master Peter French. This year it’s a tribute to Stevie Wonder and Friends, also starring Irie J again, as he is so good. Yes it’s a black tie event, Saturday night, March 3, 2018 at the Rembrandt Hotel in west London, the same venue as recent years. Contact Peter french for your tickets – [email protected].
