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AFAC Conference conquers Covid

Event News /

AFAC Conference has been postponed to August 2021, however Hannover Fairs Australia has been accomplishing digital innovations in the lead up to the postponed event AFAC Conference was due to undergo on 25-28 August 2020. However, due to the global pandemic, unfortunately the show has been postponed until 2021. However, there are many other opportunities to which Hannover Fairs have been dedicating their time in the run up to the postponed event.  AFAC is powered by INTERSCHUTZ exhibition and is Australasia’s largest emergency management exhibition, featuring over 12,000sqm of space, jam-packed with state-of-the-art equipment, cutting-edge technology and leading service providers.  The AFAC19 trade exhibition featured 196 exhibiting organisations across 12,000sqm of gross floorspace and 46 international exhibitors from 16 countries. The AFAC exhibition has grown by 140% from 2015 when the partnership between AFAC and Deutsche Messe was created. The Demonstration Zone features the latest equipment, technology and best practices displayed across the three days of the exhibition. These have included robotics, virtual reality firefighting equipment, rescue simulations and much more. The exhibition also features a comprehensive Expo Stage program with practical presentations aimed at helping those at the frontline of emergency management. Topics have included: innovations and new technologies, mental health, wellbeing, community, resilience, trucks and PPE. Within the exhibition is a central hub of research findings, including the popular poster displays. This is the place to meet other researchers and is a lounge area for conference speakers.  Looking back at the previous 2019 show, its diverse range of experiences and its international presence demonstrates the evident success of AFAC.  Earlier in the year the AFAC Conference team committed to making a firm decision in early May, around whether AFAC20 could continue, given the COVID-19 pandemic. Following consultation with key stakeholders the company announced that AFAC20 would be postponed. AFAC21 powered by INTERSCHUTZ will run over the 17th – 20th August 2021 at the ICC Sydney.  All of this demonstrates how much of an exciting show AFAC is, and how the industry will continue to be gearing up to launch their products, discuss new innovations and network at the postponed event in 2021.  Despite the sad news of the necessity of postponing the event, Hannover Fairs Australia has been conducting an exciting and greatly beneficial stream of online webinars throughout the course of lockdown. Rather than preparing for thousands of people entering the venue at AFAC, they have jumped head first into the digital world and embraced remote working.  Their webinars have hosted influencers from around the world who have discussed the important topics of managing teams virtually, working remotely, staying safe, mental health and preparing for the ‘new normal’. These integral topics have been on the lips of every worker in the industry and beyond, therefore it is refreshing to see that event businesses are taking the obstacles by stride and continuing to innovate in the industry and to all.  Elodie Gerard, Marketing Director at Hannover Fairs Australia exclusively talks to International Fire Buyer about the 2020 struggles and what the company has been doing in the meantime. “Despite the challenges COVID-19 has thrown at our industry, necessitating postponement and adaptations of 2020 events, at Hannover Fairs we have been busy. We have offered free webinars and developed a number of virtual events hosted on innovative new, interactive platforms. We have also taken the time to connect with our communities on a personal level to get an understanding of how the pandemic has impacted their lives and the content that they will find valuable going forward. During this time, the AFAC committee has taken the opportunity to start preparations for the 2021 conference, which is set to showcase the leading edge of emergency service knowledge and practice in the region”. One of the exciting webinar events that Hannover Fairs Australia has been involved in is the Innovation and Tech Fest webinar series. This involves experts such as Michael Bungay Stanier, Coaching Guru who discusses 3 Essential Questions In A Time Of Topsy-Turvy, Dr. JT Kostman, CEO & AI Psychologist ProtectedBy.AI, who explains Leadership in Times of Crisis, Chaos and Change and Jason Averbook, Global Thought Leader, Industry Analyst, CEO, Leapgen (USA) who provides A Guide to Leading on the Now of Work. These webinars, provided on YouTube, are freely available to all across industries to provide support and advise.  Despite the challenges that the events and fire industry have suffered, it is reassuring to witness companies taking a new route into digital and virtual events, and embracing the new normal that the pandemic has created. It is integral to the industry that we stay informed, stay connected and stay digital for the safety of our peers, visitors and colleagues.    To stay up to date on the latest, trends, innovations, people news and company updates within the global fire market please register to receive our newsletter here. Media contact Rebecca Morpeth Spayne, Editor, International Fire Buyer Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922 Email: editor@firebuyer.com  

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INTERSCHUTZ

Event News /

INTERSCHUTZ 20-25 June 2022 The dates for INTERSCHUTZ have been changed, with the event now taking place from 20 to 25 June 2022. The decision to reschedule the trade fair fire, rescue, civil protection and safety/security was taken by Deutsche Messe after a process of thorough deliberation and intensive discussion with key market players. In a context that has affected numerous other trade fairs and events, the move was driven by the latest developments in the global status of the COVID 19 pandemic. “Flagship trade fairs like INTERSCHUTZ have a long-range planning horizon and require a lead time of several months. In addition, the industries that participate at INTERSCHUTZ, either as exhibitors or visitors, are among the people most heavily involved in dealing with the current pandemic across the globe,” comments Dr. Andreas Gruchow, Member of the Deutsche Messe Managing Board. “INTERSCHUTZ takes place every five years. The community of people involved in fire and rescue services as well as civil protection has been eagerly awaiting the next edition of the event. Against this background, the decision to reschedule was a difficult one. But a series of intensive discussions with our partners and exhibitors as well as representatives of key visitor target groups made clear to us that this move was unavoidable. A staging of the event in the summer of 2022 has been welcomed by all stakeholders. This is the only way we can offer everyone the necessary planning security for their trade fair appearance. A flagship fair like this one thrives on a large number of international visitors and, in particular, face-to-face encounters. Based on the current international travel restrictions, our clients would not be able to adequately prepare for such a major, globally significant trade fair,” Gruchow concludes.   To stay up to date on the latest, trends, innovations, people news and company updates within the global fire market please register to receive our newsletter here. Media contact Rebecca Morpeth Spayne, Editor, International Fire Buyer Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922 Email: editor@firebuyer.com

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FDIC International

Event News /

FDIC International 19-24 August 2021 As a result of both the State of Indiana’s government direction, general public health advisories and many industry travel restrictions in response to the ongoing impact of the COVID 19 pandemic the upcoming FDIC International, scheduled to take place on April 19-24, 2021 at the Indiana Convention Center & Lucas Oil Stadium will now take place August 19-24, 2021. “This was a difficult decision but the safety and wellbeing of our attendees, exhibitors, partners, and staff remain the most important priority for us.  We have put thoughtful consideration into our next steps, including open and honest discussions with our partners, exhibitors and the firefighter community. With the rollout of the new vaccines there is more confidence that it will be safer to come together in August,” said Eric Schlett, Senior Vice President, Clarion Fire & Rescue.  FDIC International’s 2021 schedule will include: Hands-on Training (H.O.T.) Evolutions & Pre-Conference Workshops: Thursday, August 19 and Friday, August 20. Conference Classroom Sessions: Saturday, August 21 – Monday, August 23 Exhibition Halls and Outdoor Demonstration Areas: Sunday, August 22 – Tuesday, August 24. In response to rising demand from the fire community to continue to learn and source solutions for ongoing needs FDIC International has launched two year-round virtual platforms. The Fire Academy is an all NEW interactive training platform, allowing firefighters and industry professionals to expand their knowledge and learn from top instructors year-round.  Access includes 250+ on-demand courses in additional to 50 NEW courses releases throughout the year. The FDIC International team will continue to be in touch with all exhibitors, sponsors and attendees to answer any questions. There will be further communication to these groups over the coming days and weeks as we aim to facilitate a smooth transition and prepare for the next edition of FDIC International, August 19-24,2021 at the Indiana Convention Center & Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana.     To stay up to date on the latest, trends, innovations, people news and company updates within the global fire market please register to receive our newsletter here. Media contact Rebecca Morpeth Spayne, Editor, International Fire Buyer Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922 Email: editor@firebuyer.com

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FIREX International

Event News /

FIREX International 12-14 July 2021 FIREX International, one of the largest gathering of fire and security professionals has announced it will now take place on 12 – 14 July 2021 at the ExCeL, London and will be run in line with the industry recognised and government approved AllSecure standard to ensure attendee safety. Chris Edwards, Group Director at Informa Markets announced: “The safety and wellbeing of our attendees and exhibitors is our foremost priority which is why we have moved the date to the summer of 2021 and will be looking to operate under the highest possible level of health and safety standards, which Informa AllSecure enables us to do.”  AllSecure was piloted in September 2020 and approved by the UK Government on 19 November 2020 as a model for running large events safely. It involves several health and safety measures, including deep cleaning, social distancing on-site, staggered arrival times and PPE, such as face masks.   In addition, FIREX International has also announced plans for a variety of online events, set to take place in June, 2021. Chris Edwards commented: “While 2020 had its challenges for in-person events, FIREX International was able to innovate and bring the industry together remotely via online platforms and we are looking to further build on that success in 2021.” FIREX International online experiences will provide opportunities for audiences to organise live video calls with exhibitors, browse solution providers and products via an online marketplace while some of the very latest in tech innovation, industry best practice and thought leadership will be showcased.   To stay up to date on the latest, trends, innovations, people news and company updates within the global fire market please register to receive our newsletter here. Media contact Rebecca Morpeth Spayne, Editor, International Fire Buyer Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922 Email: editor@firebuyer.com

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Decision taken to reschedule Securex to November 2021

News Desk /

Specialised Exhibitions a division of Montgomery Group, has made the difficult decision to reschedule Securex South Africa, A-OSH Expo & Facilities Management Expo. In consultation with the Security, Occupational Health and Safety and Facilities Management industries and allowing for the negative effects of Covid19 on public health and the economy, the organisation is RESCHEDULING Securex, A-OSH Expo & Facilities Management Expo planned for June 2021 at Gallagher Convention Centre – to November 16-18, 2021 at the same venue. “Measures declared by the President on Sunday the 28th of February 2021 to move the country from coronavirus alert level 3 to alert level 1 with a ban on mass gatherings of more than 100 people, as well as social distancing, lead us to the decision to reschedule the events” says Gary Corin, Managing Director of Specialised Exhibitions. The safety and wellbeing of our exhibitors, suppliers and visitors – and indeed the industry as a whole – is of paramount importance, hence the decision to reschedule this range of shows to November. “Our Exhibitions provide a platform for our exhibitors to engage face-to-face with their clients, launch new products and stay up to date with industry trends. We as humans crave socialisation and networking with new individuals. Face-to-face events provide countless opportunities to connect with others in a way that cannot be achieved online. It’s our human nature to congregate with each other, people have slowly and safely started re-engaging, and it’s time for business to do that again in the events and exhibitions environment. We demonstrated our ability as an industry to do this under COVID 19 health protocols during our “Restart Expo in November 2020”. We look forward to our industry opening and taking a leadership position when delivering business to business exhibitions. “Specialised Exhibitions looks forward to hosting a strong event for the Security, Occupational Health and Safety and Facilities Management industries in November 2021. We appreciate the input, engagement and support of all industry stakeholders.”

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Sutphen’s New Industrial Pumper

News Desk /

Sutphen’s New Industrial Pumper Is Third-Party Rated at a Record 6000 GPM from Draft Sutphen Corporation, the largest family-owned fire apparatus manufacturer in the nation, announced that its new Sutphen Industrial Solutions Pumper shattered the industry’s record with a third-party rating of 6,000 gallons per minute from draft. While officially rated at 6,000 gallons per minute from draft, the industrial pumper is capable of flowing over 6,500 gallons per minute from draft with unmatched abilities to pump from a pressurized source. “As we continue to innovate and build our industrial portfolio, this record-setting apparatus solidifies Sutphen as a leader in the industrial fire industry,” said Zach Rudy, Sutphen’s Director of Sales and Marketing. “Between our renown pumpers and world-class aerials, we provide our customers with the best options in the industrial fire market.” Built on a Sutphen extreme-duty, Monarch chassis, the 304-stainless-steel industrial body was manufactured for the extreme conditions found on an industrial fire ground. Complete with a Double Thunder, Hale’s 6,000 gallon per minute midship pump, and a direct-inject foam system, the unit highlights Sutphen’s abilities to integrate innovation into every aspect of its trucks.  “We are proud to have participated in bringing this powerful, high-quality, heavy-duty industrial pumper to the market,” said Jim Kirvida, leader of Sutphen Industrial Solutions. “Collaboration between our two like-minded engineering and manufacturing teams resulted in a record-breaking rating of 6000-plus GPM, proving Sutphen a respected leader in the industrial fire market.” Sutphen and its network of dealers are currently demonstrating the unit across the country while it awaits a buyer. The demonstration unit is available for an accelerated delivery. For additional information regarding the Sutphen Industrial Solution pumper, follow this link: https://www.sutphen.com/in-stock/demo-479-industrial-pumper/ Sutphen Corporation is an Ohio-based, privately held, family-owned business that has manufactured the highest-quality, heavy-duty, custom-built emergency response vehicles since 1890. The company’s headquarters are located in Dublin, Ohio, a northwest suburb of Columbus.   To stay up to date on the latest, trends, innovations, people news and company updates within the global fire market please register to receive our newsletter here. Media contact Rebecca Morpeth Spayne, Editor, International Fire Buyer Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922 Email: editor@firebuyer.com

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SVI Trucks is officially announcing the retirement of Bob Sorensen

News Desk /

SVI Trucks is officially announcing the retirement of Bob Sorensen, the company’s Vice-President of Sales. After 35 years with SVI Trucks, one of the nation’s leading custom fire apparatus manufacturers, Sorensen will retire on January 27, 2021. Joel Konecky, currently SVI’s Western Regional Sales Manager, will be promoted to VP of Sales, and in anticipation of his move, SVI Trucks has hired Jay Adams to fulfill western sales. Sorensen retirement On January 27, Sorensen will not only celebrate his retirement, but his 35th anniversary with the company. Sorensen began working at SVI Trucks drawing rescue trucks, which became instrumental in custom truck sales. Eventually, Sorensen transitioned into a sales manager role, holding the VP Sales title for 25 years. In 2003, Sorensen became a joint owner of Super Vacuum Manufacturing, the parent company of SVI Trucks and the family owned and operated business. Sorensen will retain ownership duties in retirement. “I will be forever grateful to Erv Weinmeister for providing me with the opportunity to work here,” Sorensen said. “My family and I have been blessed to watch SVI Trucks grow, both in business and our dealer network. When I transitioned into sales, we were producing roughly 10 trucks a year, and we probably only had 10 dealers then. Now, we build 40-50 trucks a year, and we have 35 dealers. This growth is truly a testament to not only our apparatus line but to the many great relationships built over the last several decades. In the end, I feel confident knowing I will pass the torch onto Joel, who not only brings leadership and experience but the exact same relationships to the table. And not only that, Ron Weinmeister will continue to oversee all truck sales and operations, so I fully believe the team is ready to take SVI to the next level.” Konecky’s promotion Joel Konecky joined SVI Trucks in April 2020, bringing 30 years of volunteer firefighting experience and 17 years of fire truck sales from Smeal Fire Apparatus and Spartan Motors to his original western regional role and now to the VP Sales role. Konecky also has a firm grasp on the internal workings of engineering, production, purchasing and overall, satisfied customers. “When we hired Joel, we were excited because he brought a wealth of knowledge to SVI Trucks that is hard to match. Not only has he helped countless departments navigate the truck building process, but his drive to develop internal processes also struck a chord with us,” Sorensen said. Konecky will make the full transition to the VP Sales role on January 27. Konecky can be reached via e-mail at joelk@svitrucks.com or via cell phone at 402-443-9659. Adam’s sales edition In anticipation for Sorensen’s retirement and Konecky’s promotion, SVI Trucks hired Jay Adams, who brings 25 years of firefighting experience and 12 years of fire apparatus sales to his new western sales role. A former firefighter with the Charlotte Fire Department with a Bachelor’s in Fire Science, Adams retired from the department in July of 2019 as acting Battalion Chief / Captain with expertise in extrication, technical rescue and live burn training. Meanwhile, in sales, Adams has represented multiple brands, including Ferrara and Seagrave, throughout the southeast. “I’m eager to work with Joel to expand the many great relationships he has in the western region,” Adams said. “But more than anything, I’m excited to represent the SVI Trucks brand. I’ve been a fan of this company for 20 years before I ever thought about working here. Not only is SVI the best truck manufacturer in the industry, but the company is family owned, and they care a lot about their employees and customers.” Adams prides himself in his Lean Six Sigma Black Belt designation, championing for lean, high-quality manufacturing standards wherever he works. “Any process in a factory can be defined, measured, analyzed, implemented and controlled to create a standard that meets and exceeds the needs of the mission-critical industries we serve, and it’s also important to take the waste of material, time, engineering and effort to deliver on the timelines and budgets of our customers.” Adams also sat on the Scott Safety advisory council, serving as the voice of the customer. “At SVI Trucks, I hope to continue to be the voice of my customers,” Adams said. Adams can be reached at jaya@svitrucks.com or via cell phone at 970-617-0984.

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National Health and Wellbeing Campaign

Event News, News Desk /

A month-long charity campaign, which aimed to boost the nation’s health and wellbeing has come to an end, raising a total of over £15,000 for The Ambulance Staff Charity, Police Care UK, The Fire Fighters Charity and The Air Ambulance Service. Launched in January, the Blue Light Get Active Challenge, tasked individuals with clocking up as many miles, steps or minutes of physical activity or mindfulness exercises as they could, to raise important funds and boost morale during the national lockdown. Leading emergency services discount provider, Blue Light Card, and wellbeing organisation, Get Active supported the challenge and offered a state-of-the-art app for participants to log their activities – which included running, cycling and yoga – and see where they ranked against others in a leader board. A total of around 400 participants got involved by either making a donation to their chosen charity or raising funds which were then split evenly between each of the four charities. The money raised will support the work of all four emergency services charities who provide support for all who continue to work incredibly hard to keep Britain safe especially in the wake of COVID-19. Cheryl from North Wales Police was the overall winner of the challenge, logging a total of 5,318 points, including 474 miles of walking and 57 miles of running, topping the leaderboard. Commenting on the achievement, Cheryl said: “In the absence of actual running events due to these strange times, it was lovely to be able to take part in these activities – the bonus is that it’s for a good cause too! Being part of this challenge kept my focus on a goal – with a superb medal at the end of it.” Tom Dalby, CEO of Blue Light Card said: “Supporting emergency service teams has always been at the heart of what we do, and even more so after we’ve seen first-hand just how hard they’ve worked to keep us safe throughout 2020 and into 2021. That’s why this campaign has been extra special for us. “Seeing people get involved and take up the chance to get active and practice mindfulness, especially when the weather has been testing, has been so great to see, and we hope it has inspired regular active routines within the blue light community and beyond. “Helping to raise over £15,000 for these four very worthy causes while supporting the great work these incredible charities do for our frontline workers and families is fantastic.” David Kelly, director at Get Active Challenges also commented: “We’re thrilled with how well our first Blue Light Card campaign has gone, inspiring our emergency services to get out and get active, especially when they are working so incredibly hard through these challenging times we’re in. “We are hugely grateful for the £15,000 that has already been raised for four incredible blue light charities to provide their much-needed care and support for the emergency services who need them.”   To stay up to date on the latest, trends, innovations, people news and company updates within the global fire market please register to receive our newsletter here. Media contact Rebecca Morpeth Spayne, Editor, International Fire Buyer Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922 Email: editor@firebuyer.com

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Ask the Expert: Success despite the challenge

Exclusives /

Derrick Hall, Director of Sales, Kentec Electronics talks exclusively to international Fire Buyer about how they have been tackling the Covid-19 crisis with training, new launches and fire safety 2021 is a new year and a new opportunity for many people – what kind of impression are Kentec looking to make over the next 12 months? We’ll be further investing in the Kentec Installation Partners (KIPs) scheme to ensure installers have access to all the training, technical resources and support that makes their lives easier. Last year the scheme passed the 100-installer milestone and we rolled it out internationally, so we’ve built good momentum, an engaged network and there is plenty of opportunity to grow.  We’re also going to launch a distribution arm of the scheme, the Kentec Authorised Distribution (KAD) programme. Our message to the market is that it doesn’t matter where you buy from, whether it is direct or via a distributor, our customers will still receive the same levels of support.  2021 will also be about further strengthening our web-based training and learning resources. Over a number of years, there has been a trend that takes us away from manuals to FAQs and YouTube videos. It is our responsibility to take advantage of all available technologies and channels to make learning content as accessible as possible.    Generally speaking, how did 2020 go for the company? I’m incredibly proud of the company’s achievements over 2020. We responded very quickly to the pandemic and went over and above government guidelines to ensure that employee safety was prioritised. Both as a responsible employer, and as a manufacturer of critical life safety systems, it was vital that we were able to continue to operate safely. We did not have even one day’s downtime, and that is testament to the hard work, flexibility and commitment of our employees.  One thing that Kentec did do was keep training programmes going, despite lockdown. How important was this, both for the company and for those seeking training? It is fundamental to our success that our KIPs are fully supported. We’ve not only continued with telephone and technical support, but also adapted our training where lockdowns have meant that our partners have more time to invest in training.  The challenge has been in providing hands-on training while it’s not possible to have installers physically present in our training rooms. Video and document sharing platforms have been extremely useful in helping us to create ‘virtually-practical’ training courses. Through webinars and virtual training, we have been able to demonstrate in great detail how systems work – taking them through the same processes as you would if they were present, highlighting the inner workings of a panel and where necessary demonstrating where you can go wrong or not utilise a system to its full capabilities. And we have been encouraged that installers are now choosing virtual options over on-site training.  You also managed to launch the Kentec Installer Programme internationally – obviously, it’s a huge step forward, but how difficult was it to get everything in place while the world is as it is? A positive outcome of the pandemic is the acceptance and willingness to make things work virtually. It has enabled us to accelerate our training support for international customers – and rolling out the KIP scheme internationally is an important part of this. Where flying trainers all over the world used to be part and parcel of manufacturer training, we are now proving the value of virtual training, which is immediate, efficient, effective and more environmentally sustainable.  It does seem as if people have wanted to do more training as a result of lockdown – how have you kept on top of the added demand? Whereas there is a finite number of people we could fit into our training rooms, another benefit to Teams and Zoom meetings is that we are not limited in the number of attendees – this extra capacity has been instrumental in enabling us to meet the greater demand for training.  Virtual meetings also enable us to accommodate a wide variety of timetables – if an installer needs to delay or interrupt their training, sessions are recorded and it’s easy to leave and rejoin as appropriate. All sessions are also supported by video content within the KIP platform.   Your communication was very clear amidst the crisis, with the industry and the world knowing exactly where you stood. How vital was it to ensure that you got that spot on? For us communication was essential. We had to make sure our employees understood all changes, and were supported, engaged and motivated. And our customers had to be aware that we were still in operation and were reassured that it was largely ‘business as usual’. In an unprecedented situation there was an understandable reluctance to buy large quantities of stock because no one knew what was going to happen in the months to come, so we made sure our customers knew we had plenty of available stock so they could purchase in smaller quantities as and when required.  Kentec also kitted out a hospital in Glasgow with top of the range equipment – in terms of installation, was that different because of the pandemic and if so, how did you get around it? When our installation partner, Vipond Fire Protection Ltd, told us about the Louisa Jordan NHS Facility Glasgow project, the turnaround of bidding to installation was a matter of two weeks – we had to respond very quickly, and it was thanks to our UK manufacturing site that we were able to meet deadlines.  The system included a total of seven Sigma XT gas suppression panels, and 32 detectors located within the electrical room that serves the 10,000m2 facility.   The installation acts as an excellent example of how manufacturers and installers within the fire industry work together, in line with Covid-19 regulations, to ensure that essential installation and maintenance of fire systems can still go ahead. The company also released a custom build

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Quick Fire Questions: Francesca Boeris

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In our latest edition of Fire Buyer, we interviewed Francesca Boeris, Managing Director of Comelit UK and ROI for our Quick Fire Questions What does ‘fire protection’ mean to you? Fire protection means keeping your home, people and business safe through the use of traditional techniques and modern technology. What made you want to work in the industry? I wanted to be in an industry that is evolving and forward-thinking, where I could progress in a business that leads by innovation and puts people at the heart. If you could change anything in the industry, what would it be? Seeing the value in service and product, a complete package of product, sales, service and local technical support.   Describe a funny thing that happened to you recently? I was half way through a remote team meeting, when my dog, Murkie, proceeded to jump onto my lap and managed to knock my laptop and camera off the desk. Luckily, no damage was done, and the team found it hilarious. What three traits define you? Straight-talking, focused, empathetic  What’s the most important trend you see today? Connected systems and building automation fire and security solutions being considered much earlier in development designs and planning stages.  If you didn’t work in fire and security, what would you be doing? I would like to run a mentor program for young women, about being successful in business and empowering each other. Break glass ceilings and use your voice in the best way. What’s the most interesting thing about you that we wouldn’t learn from your CV? My hobbies include hiking and wellness. Before lockdown I spent three weeks in Peru where I hiked through the Amazon and then went on the Inca trail over 4 days.  What is one thing you would make compulsory in the office and one thing you would ban? I have added a pool table/air hockey and Ping-Pong table. People need to move, this is a great way to get them having fun. I have already banned eating at our desks, anything else, I might have a revolt on my hands!    Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Hopefully moving round our fantastic new offices without a mask on whilst interacting with customers and colleagues closer than one meter apart. 

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