In Conversation: Convergint UK’s Managing Director on Regional Expansions

I have been very privileged to have worked in this industry from a very early age, I left school on a Friday at 16 years old and started in the electronic security industry the following Monday at Chloride Granley security systems in London as an apprentice installation engineer, 45 years ago. Since then, I have worked my way across Installation and Service as Engineer, Supervisor, Project Management, Service Management, Branch, Regional, and National Management roles, right through to Director positions and eventually Managing Director for Europe and now as the Managing Director for the UK business which is the largest of the regional offices in Europe.

It’s clear that adaptive technology is where the industry is headed. The future of security technology will rely heavily on new ways to centralise data and automate operations. Cloud-based systems, AI-powered software, and stronger IoT connections are all key to navigating the new security landscape. As organisations we need to seek new ways to make workplaces more efficient and support a sustainable hybrid work model, the right security technology will play a crucial role in being able to quickly adapt to the needs of our customers, as well as protect data and information from a host of new cybersecurity threats.

Talent acquisition has been a rollercoaster over the past year. While there have been instances of a labor-heavy job market within the security industry over the past few years, more often than not, the labor pool is scarce, with far more open positions than qualified applicants to fill the gaps.

Another challenge the UK has faced over the past year, and to some extent continue to face in 2023, is supply chain issues. Regardless of the projections, lead times continued to grow. We had no choice but to substantially increase our inventory levels, to the point where we were running out of warehousing space. One of the continuing challenges we still have are the trade restrictions around Brexit, especially with the working restrictions we face across Europe.

With the acquisition of Universal Security Systems, and doubling the size of our UK team to now over 230 colleagues, it gives us the ability to enhance our focus to be our customers’ best service provider. It also gives us access to a wider range of high-level products and the ability to service wider regions in the UK. This gives us the opportunity to work with other high-end customers and demonstrate the capabilities and services that they now have access to with Universal now being part of the Convergint nation.

They must choose the right company for them. Do their research into the types of companies they’d like to work for, look for companies that have achieved the relevant ISO standards to operate in the security arena in a safe and process driven environment. Look out for companies with NSI certification, as this will ensure that everything that you learn is based around the most up to date and relevant standards. Don’t be scared of hard work as once you are established within the industry you can make a career for life which can take you down so many avenues from Service, Installation, Design, Sales, Project Management, and leadership. To summarise, it’s important to weigh up all the risks and the benefits when considering a career in the electronic security industry. Are they someone prepared to take on the challenge of working hard to gain relevant qualifications, stick at a job where you might not be working in a nice cozy office and out onsite in the wet and cold, and remain mentally and physically prepared for whatever the day throws at them? If the answer is no, then it probably isn’t for them. If it’s yes, then the opportunity is there for the taking.

‘I have integrity.’ Without having integrity in both my business and home environment, I couldn’t operate in accordance with my business and personal values. I always try to be honest with people and keep to my word.

‘I make responsible decisions.’ In my position I owe it to the business, my fellow colleagues, and my customers that I take responsibility for all the decisions that I make on a daily basis and as such I need to ensure that any business decision I have to make, I have this V&B in the back of my mind.

‘We expect to be our customers best service provider.’ Without ensuring every day that we focus on our mission to live up to this V&B, we would not have a business, and for me this has to be front and centre of everything that we do on a daily basis. We are very privileged that our customers have chosen Convergint to be their partner of choice, and it’s my responsibility along with others that we do not lose focus on this.