So here we are, 2018, and let me be the first to wish you all a very happy new year and let’s hope it will be a good, no, a great one for you and your family. I wonder what the year will have in store for us, what challenges it will throw at us. As I don’t have a crystal ball all I can do is tell you what I know, namely gossip you so want to read about, you could say the good, the bad the ugly and the sad! Let’s start shall we, and no, I am not turning into a poet!
In fact let’s talk about the good, I have just returned from presenting £20,000 in two cheques of £10,000 each to two very good charities: London’s Air Ambulance and the City of London Police’s children’s charity. This is the money that we raised at JSAFE in November, the Joint Security Associations Fund Raising Event chaired by Don Randall (pictured). Can I thank everyone that was involved in making this possible, the companies and individuals that bought tables, the companies and individuals that gave raffle or auction prizes, the team: Don, Steve Emmins, Mike White, Irona Wilson and Di Thomas and last but not least TJ Mudan from our very own Professional Security Magazine who ran the finances for us collecting all the money that was pledged.
Starting the new year in a new job is Gordon Morrison as the new GB Sales Director for the Tyco Security Products access control and video brands. Reporting to EMEA sales director, Alan Riegler, Gordon will be responsible for developing and driving the company’s sales strategy to maximise support for consultants, system designers, installers and system integrators who are increasingly recommending the installation of CEM, Kantech, Software House access control and American Dynamics, Exacq and Illustra video surveillance solutions to their clients. Prior to joining Johnson Controls, Gordon had a number of senior management roles at GE where he worked for over 16 years. His most recent position was as European Channel Leader within GE’s oil and gas division.
Redvision has promoted Stephen Lightfoot to Technical Director. Paul Hucker, Redvision director, said: “Stephen’s responsibilities include managing the technical team and supporting the company’s IP and analogue, X-SERIES and VOLANT rugged PTZ cameras, RedCop rapid deployment, CCTV towers and VEGA rugged housings. Stephen is a proven IP and network specialist who brings innovative ideas and relevant, high-level experience to the company. “Stephen joined Redvision in August 2016. He has made a huge contribution to product management; the development of new products; and the management of the VMS and analytics integration roadmap. He has provided first class, customer support and I am looking forward to his invaluable input on our new product introduction process going forward.” Talking Redvision, yes, it is true that Dermot has left the company, I will keep you posted on where he is as soon as I know.
DVS have been promoting some of their team, Dave Davies has been made Chief Technical Officer to oversee all technical aspects at the distributor while aligning company goals with the evolving customer needs and the security industry. I believe that he does not have to wear the corporate shirt any more? And Andy Waters has been made Field Sales Manager. He will be managing the Area Sales Managers in this new role.
Inner Range have been expanding and have appointed Kath Rhodes and Richard Money. Now Kath joined the industry in 1994 for Baxall, yep you remember them, and yes where I was which is where I met Kath; I left and joined MVD and took Kath with me where she became my right hand, well and my left also, as she reminded me just the other day. Richard (and no pun about your name as you will have heard them all I’m sure) joined the industry in 1997 with Clarke Instruments, and now finds himself working with Kath and Chantel, good luck bud.
At RBH, Nick Bartlett has joined as the company’s new Business Development Manager. He brings over 20 years’ experience in the industry, having worked at Assa Abloy and TDSI. RBH say that Nick brings with him management and organisational skills, enjoys a challenge and takes a methodical approach to any situation, adapting quickly to a variety of circumstances.
Now to the sad, which doesn’t mean I thought some of you were bad or even ugly.
Mike Collier (my old boss from my Chubb days) told me Mike Cahalane passed away on December 6. Mike, who was 80 and living with his wife Lynn in Eastbourne, had been suffering from cancer but seemed to be responding to treatment although recently he complained of severe back pain. According to Lynn he was in severe pain on the 6th and went into hospital in the morning only to not return. Mike was probably one of the best known figures in the Intruder Alarm Industry having started with AFA and subsequently running Shield Security in London as its Managing Director. Later he became a Director of Britannia Security PLC and afterwards, working as a security consultant, he with two friends founded the Association of Security Consultants (ASC). He was heavily involved in the industry trade associations, regulatory bodies and British Standards. He leaves behind a wife and daughters and many good friends.
We also lost Alan Walker the Managing Director of CDVI. You may know that Alan started in the industry in 1979 with Mather and Platt Security. He was much loved by not only his family but all of those that worked or came into touch with him. We will in fact be donating the money we raise at ST18 Midlands (same venue as February 2017, Nottingham, on February 21) to a charity of Alan’s family’s choice.
So nothing else remains but to remind you that we have launched ST18 and our first one will be at the East Midlands Conference Centre on the University of Nottingham campus; yes a little later than usual, but it gives time for the crocuses and daffodils to come out; with the charity night on the Tuesday, February 20; this is a great night to network and we are introducing some new things at that event this year, can’t tell you as it’s a secret! But come along and enjoy, you know you will.
