Top 50 influencers in security & fire 2017: Installer/integrator excellence

After extensive consultation with a panel of judges from across the industry, we are delighted to reveal our roll call of the Top 50 influencers in security & fire 2017: installer/integrator excellence.

The BSIA, which as supported the top 50, is also celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. It’s a trio of 50s because we’ve also designed a graphic featuring all influencers based on the cover of the Beatles’ seminal Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band album, which also celebrated its 50^th anniversary last month.

And we’ve added a special ‘lifetime of influence’ tribute in recognition of the enormous contribution to the industry of Mike Tennent, founder of Tavcom Training, who sadly passed away last month.

The installer/integrator category acknowledges not influence as such but excellence. As such, the five winners are in addition to the 50 influencers.

The criteria for installers was slightly different, being an individual – not a company – who has done some or all of the following:

• Consistently provided exceptional customer service
• Delivered a particular project, or many projects, to exceptionally high standards
• Been an innovator (eg, cutting average installation times/costs through adoption of new tech or change of process)
• Played a pivotal role in the success of their company (whether that is growing revenues, market share or reputation for excellence)
• Played a pivotal role in their company’s diversification into new markets (eg IP, home automation, fire, etc)

A big thank you to Manveer Rayit, owner of RoboxAcademy.com, for his help in judging this category. A former installer himself Manveer is now running a training academy which helps installers market and grow their business. Robox Academy is exhibiting at IFSEC International 2017 (stand C1432). Get your free badge now.

Scroll down for the top 5 influencers in the installers/integrators category and find out results of the other categories below.

Lifetime of influence tribute: Mike Tennent, Tavcom Training

Security manufacturers/service providers

Security management, education and thought leadership (UK and international)

Cybersecurity (UK and international)

Fire safety

Installer/integrator excellence (fire and security)

5. Don Anthrak, installations manager, IDS Group

Don Anthrak’s advocate in the nominations process said: “In the last year Don Anthrak has delivered several significant projects for us to an exceptional standard. This has involved laying in lakes, in below freezing conditions – to overcome connectivity issues and switching to night installations, to minimise disruption to our customer’s day to day business. Don can be relied upon to always go the extra mile, ensuring the right solution for each of our customers. He is never afraid to go beyond the spec, if when on site the situation calls for it.

“Don has played a major role in steering our new focus to the holiday park Industry. He has spent many days and hour’s at holiday parks, for example Sunnydale Farm, perfecting the use of ANPR for barrier control to help owners automate the entrance to their sites, enabling integration with booking systems, so they can provide a personalised welcome to each visitor. Not only does he complete each installation effectively, he talks through each element of the solution with the customer to ensure they understand how it works. Due to his hard work and excellent customer service and personable character our customers are happy to endorse our solution.

“He has also been pivotal in gaining a foothold on working with property developers Yogo Group. At a recent project he happily and tirelessly tested several solutions until the optimum was found for access control at their local prestigious housing development. Due to his approachable, professional manor and technical expertise, Yogo group have returned to us for several other projects.”

In summing up one of the judges wrote:

“Don is a great example of a hands-on engineer, working meticulously with the customer to deliver a robust security solution. It is always great to hear how engineers like Don are able to solve real security solutions with customer engagement.”

4. Simon Stokes, MD, Assured Fire & Security

Simon Stokes founded Assured Fire and Security in 1998. Now its MD Simon actively invests considerable time in participating in standards committees and writing articles that improves safety, security and education for customers and the industry as a whole.

Assured Fire and Security is an independent company established in 1998, providing fire and security solutions to businesses and organisations across the UK and overseas.

One of those nominating Simon said he “is passionate about fire and security, and helping businesses meet current legislation. He contributes to IFSEC Global, is an active member of the FIA helping to shape legislation and professional standards, and is a member of BIFM – holding events to help educate facilities managers on their responsibilities regarding fire safety for their premises.”

Another advocate wrote: “One of Simon is passionate about what he does, not only providing a great service but also getting involved in legislation that affects the industry and spreading awareness of fire and security risks to businesses.”

From one of the judges:

“Simon’s relentless pursuit of excellence within security is shown by his contribution to IFSEC and member associations such as GIA. It is great to see leaders such as Simon taking the time out to look at the legal framework that is paving the way for more stringent security policies in the economy.”

3. Carlton Moore, head of technical services, ATEC Security

Having started in the industry in 1990, Carlton moore have spent many years specifying, designing and implementing integrated security systems for both public and private sector organisations including transport, retail, blue chip and Government / Defence clients within UK as well as across most of Europe and the Middle East.

Besides systems integration and delivery, he has also worked with equipment manufacturers in Product Management including COTS (Commercial Off The Shelf) and bespoke development products. He takes an active interest in industry standards and is involved with BSIA technical committees.

From one of the judges:

“Carlton has been a committed individual, having dedicated almost 30 years to the security industry. Not only has his commitment been shown with this association with the BSIA technical committee, but his hands-on experience has taken him around the world, designing integrated security systems for both private and public organisations. In a fast-moving trade, Carlton is the type of character we like to give as an example to newcomers in the industry; dedicated and relentless in his pursuit to uphold the high standards of the security market.”

2. Peter Houlis, MD, 2020 Vision Systems

Peter Houlis has been instrumental in the launch, development and management of award-winning security solutions company 2020 Vision Systems over the past three decades.

The firm’s Managing Director, Peter continuously drives growth strategies and builds relationships with both clients and partners across multiple industries. Peter’s high standards of service have resulted in the patronage of high-profile organisations across local governments, national utilities, major corporations, universities, hospitals, charities, business parks, shopping centres and industrial estates.

Peter was also a key player in ensuring 2020 Vision gained industry approval with the Security Systems and Alarms Inspection Board and achieved ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management, ISO 14001:2004 and BS OHSAS18001:2007 Accreditations.

As well as his dedication and commitment to 2020 Vision, Peter is also a board member of the Security Systems and Alarms Inspection Board (SSAIB) and was their representative on the British Standard Institute (BSI) Technical Committee for CCTV and a former advisor on NVQ’s for CCTV installation and maintenance. In addition, Peter is a Director of the Security Institute, a member of the Institute of Directors and the 49th person to be admitted to the register of chartered security professionals.

From one of the judges:

“Over the past 30 years, Peter has shown a tremendous dedication and understanding of the security industry. Not only has his company provided customised security solutions across a number of industries, but he has stretched his involvement beyond commercial concerns. His involvement with leading security associations such as the BSIA, ACUK and the SSAIB shows his long standing commitment to the industry to ensure it continues to uphold it’s standards for the future.”

1. Gary Trotter, co-founder, Hadrian Technology

The CCTV design, supply and installation company that our top installer founded has been shortlisted in the Financial Times 1000, which charts Europe’s fastest-growing businesses. The company was ranked 252. The news came just months after Hadrian Technology was named as a Sunday Times Virgin Fast Track 100 company.

Established in 1999 in Seaham in north-east England, Hadrian Technology advises clients on the design and installation of bespoke high-quality CCTV solutions, operating software and digital cloud-based storage through to ongoing maintenance. Clients include retail, leisure, hospitality and public sector companies and organisations across the UK and Ireland.

Hadrian Technology partners with CCTV manufacturers, including Videcon, Dell, Hikvision, Vista and Genie, to offer the latest in video surveillance systems as well as advanced digital analytics, people counting and heat mapping. The company has developed specialist knowledge and expertise in detecting the so-called ‘slips and trips’ claims culture that currently costs UK businesses nearly £1bn a year.

Hadrian Technology co-founder Gary Trotter, said: “We’re immensely proud to be recognised as one of Europe’s fastest-growing companies in The Financial Times 1000. Being named in both the FT 1000 and the Sunday Times Virgin Fast Track 100 is testament to the outstanding sales growth we have achieved in recent years and the hard work and dedication of our highly-skilled team.

“We are looking forward to continuing to grow our business, both in the UK and overseas, as the use of CCTV for business intelligence becomes more widespread. As we continue to expand, we are actively looking to harness new technologies to enable us to offer cloud-based storage software and hardware solutions that will enable clients across multiple sectors, including retail, leisure, and hospitality, to more effectively identify and defend fraudulent slips, trips and falls claims.”

Verdict on Gary by one of our judges:

“Gary is a great example and a pinnacle mark of success for a security professional. His ability to see beyond problems and find solutions which other installers often find difficult is a clear reason for his success. Furthermore, his contribution to health and safety methods and reducing slips and falls show’s his overall capacity to improve industry standards.”