Industry Insights

We had the great pleasure this month of catching up with our very own Buzz Coates, Norbain’s IP Project Manager, to understand the man inside our Pocket-size Buzz video animation series. Oh, and we managed a discussion about the speed of technological change too!

You might think after 26 years in the security industry working for the same business, that Drew Aitken, European distribution sales leader for Honeywell, might be a little set in his ways, even old school perhaps. Be under no illusion, this is a man in tune with how to drive his team forward, what the priorities are and how to leverage Honeywell’s respected position in the security industry. Last month, we had an insightful catch-up with Drew about the evolution of intrusion technology, a key growth area in physical security solutions. Read on to find out more.

Roy Cooper is a well-known, much loved figure in the Security Industry. As Managing Director of Professional Security Magazine, he’ll celebrate his 50th year in the sector in 2022 and has no intention of retiring. It made a change for him to sit in the interviewee seat, but because Roy is still buzzing with energy and commitment, bringing his charismatic personality to every encounter, it wasn’t hard to get him talking about what makes him tick.

Paddy and I discussed Texecom’s focus for 2021 and beyond, along with the importance of developing and encompassing a Digital Strategy in today’s security sector to survive medium to long term.

Norbain SD have recently interviewed Linn Storang from Axis. Where we spoke about artificial intelligence and cyber security.

I’ve just finished my interview with Robin Hughes, Co-Founder at Secure Logiq and have come off the video call quite inspired. Robin and the team at Secure Logiq have had the most fantastic year, despite COVID; in fact, the restrictions due to COVID and the pandemic have done much to drive interest and, therefore, continued growth, for this specialist UK manufacturer. Secure Logiq will celebrate their 10th birthday in September 2021 and are in the midst of step changes in personnel to support the continuing increase in demand for their services. Norbain signed them up as a vendor back in Autumn 2020, recognising the advantage of bringing into our portfolio a vendor who offers servers specifically designed for HD Surveillance. So, what are the reasons behind this success story, apart from Secure Logiq being run by enthusiast experts who strive to be the best at what they do.

The British Security Industry Association (BSIA) was created 53 years ago to support and represent those operating in the private security sector. We thought it was time to find out what their current priorities are by catching up with Mike Reddington, Chief Executive Officer. Here’s an overview of our discussion, including background to the BSIA and the agenda for 2021 & beyond for Mike and his award-winning team.

In our most recent Industry Insights Interview, I caught up with Peter Webster, CCTV & Careline Centre Manager at Slough Borough Council and Owner /Director of The CCTV User Group, and discovered the challenges facing video surveillance in the public and ‘pseudo’ public sectors. With multiple headwinds facing these operations, including funding, out-of-date solutions, and new legislation, what needs to happen to secure the future security of our public spaces?

Last month, we spoke to Suprema UK & Ireland’s leader, Jamie McMillen about his career in the security industry and the fundamental rise of Biometric Technology as a game-changing solution within the sector. Jamie offered us his insights into the developments of this technology and the marketplace over the last 20 years since Suprema was born. We discussed the relative speed with which COVID has fast-forwarded acceptance of these newer access control methods, along with the pitfalls and knee jerk reactions he has observed, particularly since March 2020.

Back in early December, I had the pleasure of interviewing Una Riley, a well-known figure and inspiration to many in the Security Industry. And quite frankly, just a lovely lady. Una has just accepted the position of Chief Executive at IPSA; the International Professional Security Association, who are dedicated to frontline workers in the private Security Industry. IPSA are going through a radical shake up and among other improvements, have made the bold decision to offer their membership for free.

Norbain recently chatted with Alex Carmichael – Chief Executive at the SSAIB (Security Systems and Alarms Inspection Board), the leading UK certification body for security, fire systems and manned guarding services. The SSAIB is an Independent UKAS Accredited 3rd party Certification Body. Their registered organisations provide security and safety related services, e.g., supplying and maintaining intruder alarm and fire alarm systems and/or manned security services.