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March 8, 2012

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Whitepaper: Multi-residential access management – The move to digital

Alun John set to leave Norbain

An industry figurehead whose State of the Nation addresses at IFSEC International are legendary for their insight, Alun John is widely recognised as having been the major architect and builder of the Winnersh Triangle-based distribution giant’s phenomenal growth and development since its formation in 1982.

He was at the heart of a capital restructuring venture in early 2010 that realised a more attractive balance sheet for the holding company and saw the business safely ride out the recession he once described as being “worse than 1991”.

Today, the company stands as one of the leading organisations in the security products industry but, after “considerable reflection”, John has decided that it’s now time for him to step down from the leadership of the business in order to pursue a plural career as a portfolio non-executive director or in interim management.

In turn, this will enable him to use his considerable business development skills while spending more time enjoying his extensive social interests than the significant demands of the Norbain Group CEO’s role have allowed.

‘Business as usual’ for the company

In the wake of discussions with Norbain Group chairman John Lowry (who succeeded Ian Stuart in the summer of 2010), John has recommended – and the company’s Board of Directors has agreed – that the best way to manage his exit from the business (while also protecting the interests of the company) is for him to phase out of the CEO’s role over the remainder of this calendar year while handing over his duties to Tony Harris.

Harris will become interim CEO while the recruitment process for a replacement Norbain Group CEO is undertaken

During this nine-month handover period Norbain stresses that the situation in terms of the wider company will be very much “business as usual”.

For his part, Harris is a senior non-executive director who has extensive experience in the security products and distribution industries and has held a number of senior roles at global technology and logistics companies.

His CV includes spells as CEO at ADT Fire & Security, managing director of the NTL Business Inc, executive Board member at DHL Worldwide Express and president of Business Services at BT plc. Harris’ early career involved appointments at Hill & Knowlton in Paris and Milan, and with McKinsey & Co in central London.

Harris is currently a non-executive director of the Audit Commission, the DEX Corporation, Worcester Rugby Football Club and the Royal Surrey County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, and he’s also a senior adviser to a private investment company.

Prolific commentator on sector issues

Commenting on John’s departure from the business, John Lowry stated: “It has been a pleasure and a privilege for me personally to have worked with Alun during the last two and a quarter years, and I know that everyone in the business will join me in wishing him every success in his new career.”

Over the years, Alun John has been a prolific – and very often outspoken – commentator on the wider security sector, taking part in many crucial debates and always standing tall in supporting the benefits CCTV can offer society and law enforcement agencies.

For example, speaking exclusively to Info4Security back in September 2009, he famously stated: “First and foremost, the Government exists to protect the people of this country, but if we’re putting more energy and finances into fining people for overfilling their bins than we are CCTV operator training, then questions have to be raised as to whether Parliament’s priorities are what they ought to be.”

In conversation with Info4Security this morning, John – who started the Norbain business from scratch 30 years ago this month – said: “The decision to stand down didn’t come easily or quickly to me, Brian. I’ve worked extremely hard over the years, but you simply cannot carry on forever. It has been a very enjoyable experience but also a huge commitment in terms of both time and travel and being away from home.”

Without doubt, Norbain is one of Europe’s most successful distributors of CCTV, IP video, access control and intruder detection equipment, employing well over 400 people across its operations in the UK, South Africa, the Benelux region and in Portugal.

Strategic plans for progression in place

“Norbain is a fabulous business,” continued John. “The company has a really strong management team and we’re well equipped to lead in areas such as IP video, for example. All of the strategic plans necessary for us to progress are in place, and I believe now’s the right time for me to disengage a little. In all honesty it’s not possible to be a part-time CEO.”

The scale of the Norbain UK business – undoubtedly enhanced under the expert tutelage of managing director Barry Shakespeare – is nothing less than hugely impressive, with the international sales team currently selling into close on 80 countries spanning three continents.

All the industry’s leading recognised brands are represented in those transactions with customers, including Tyco Security Products, Dedicated Micros, Panasonic, Samsung and Pelco by Schneider Electric.

Post-Christmas, John will now be able to pick and choose where and when he works and on what projects, in turn being able to spend more time with his wife and family.

The tremendous legacy he has bequeathed to the security sector will most certainly live on.

Info4Security will be conducting an exclusive exit interview with Alun prior to his formal departure from the company

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