Welcome to the year 2021 can it possibly be any worst than 2020? Let’s hope not, when I sat at my desk this time last year who would have known what we were in for. That said however, the vaccine has arrived and is on its way around the country. Hopefully we can start to get life back to normal, meet up and give each other a hug! You know I like a hug!
May I start and wish you all a happy and successful new year. So let’s look at those that have decided on a new approach or a new start to the new year in one way or another. My biggest news for January is that after 12 and a half years Alan Riegler has left TYCO Security Products. Alan told me that it was a sad day but the package on offer softened the blow and that he has had quite a few offers to consider. He is taking some time out first, after he lost his father last month, for some much needed respite and to recharge those batteries. I will keep you posted as to where Alan will re-appear as we all know it won’t be long before we see him resurface.
Oprema in lockdown Wales have recruited a squad of people as the company continues to grow, they are: Peter Johnson as Marketing Executive; Steve Salisbury as Business Development Manager; Tim Fishpool as Technical Support Engineer; Juliette Taylor as Business Development Executive and James Kelly as Business Development Manager. Welcome to our mad world and our even madder industry.
Optex the intrusion detection product people (and much else besides I ought to add) have appointed Vicky Scott Poynter as an area sales manager. I am not sure what area to be honest but she lives in Milton Keynes so must be around that area, I would have thought, Now something you will not know about Vicky is that she spent some 18 years working for ADI but then took off in a different direction and became a funeral director? Yes, you didn’t expect me to say that did you, any seems she spent a couple of years doing that then came back to join us in the industry again.
Hanwha Techwin Europe whose catchphrase is “We Move” has announced the appointment of Jeff (Chae Won) Lee, pictured, as its new Managing Director. He’s worked for the Hanwha Group for over 21 years, most recently as Hanwha Techwin Europe’s Sales Director, and has a Master of Business Administration (MBA). Jeff takes over the role of Managing Director from Bob (H.Y.) Hwang Ph.D., who told me once that it stands for Best Of Best and is returning (Moving) to Korea to take up another senior management position.
STANLEY Security has appointed Gboyega Obafemi, known as Femi, as General Manager-Managing Director for Great Britain. The firm says that he’ll be driving the company’s XaaS product strategy.
Yale Door and Window Solutions has appointed a new Customer Services Manager, Sarah Mattox. She initially joined the company in 2019, and has worked as Customer Services Manager at Aspray24, the haulier.
Eagle Eye Networks, the cloud video security firm, has appointed David Barr as Enterprise Sales Manager for Europe to work on the enterprise market. David has 30 years of experience in the security industry, joining Eagle Eye after 17 years with Xtralis ADPRO, which in recent years was acquired by Honeywell.
Senstar, the Canadian video management and perimeter intrusion detection product company, introduces Alain Grinbaum as Senior Sales Director. Based in Paris, Mr Grinbaum has takes responsibility for Senstar’s sales functions in that country, as well as Italy, Benelux, the UK, South Africa, and the Middle East.
Last but not least QED (Quality Essential Distribution) has appointed Steve Constantine as Product Development Director. Steve previously was Technical Director at the distributor. This follows the appointment of Matt Philp as Managing Director in October. Matt said: “Steve is the right person for this role with his extensive technical experience and product knowledge. His skills will help us strengthen and grow the product portfolio and develop our technical and training service which is a highly professional service offered to all our customers.
Before I go, let me tell you to download our new app for 2021, as it not only will bring you the magazine direct to your phone, tablet or computer, it also will help you stay up to date with our social media channels that we all use so much these days. I am hoping that we can all meet at our first ST21 event on Thursday, April 15 in Glasgow. I have lost count of how many times we have had an ST a few weeks and months ahead and had to postpone or cancel it, let’s keep our fingers crossed and hope that we are waving goodbye to Covid-19.
