Posts in category: People

Chubb, one of the UK’s leading fire safety and security solutions provider, has strengthened its senior leadership team with a three significant appointments.

David Dunnagan was promoted to Managing Director of Chubb UK&I, following Brendan McNulty’s promotion to the newly created role of Vice President – Europe last summer. Dunnagan has enjoyed a successful career with Chubb, starting as an apprentice in 1993. He now drives the company’s ambition of becoming the employer of choice and the number one fire and security business in the UK and Ireland.

Gary Moffatt has been promoted to Director for Fire and Security UK. Continuing his long and successful career with Chubb, Moffatt’s appointment is his latest milestone achievement, having secured several promotions since joining the organisation in 2001 as a university graduate. 

A new addition to the Chubb senior leadership team is Terry Sallas. He joins as Managing Director of Major Projects and has a proven track record of helping organisations create a vision, discover new markets, and grow. He will lead projects incorporating specialist solutions through its technology-leading businesses, Chubb Systems, Frontline Security Solutions, Fire Systems, and the software brands, Sisys and Mentor. 

David Dunnagan said about the new appointment: “I am delighted that we have significantly strengthened our senior leadership team. Gary and Terry bring an incredible amount of knowledge and experience to our team, and together with the wider team, we will lead Chubb into its next ambitious growth phase. 

“We’re guiding our customers through the digital switchover and harnessing the power of new technology, so our fire and security solutions are even better connected and help customers lower their impact on their operations. By getting the basics right, we can be even more responsive and tailor our offering to provide a personal service to our customers. From there, we can evolve and be the number one provider for fire protection, life safety, and security.”

Telgian Fire Safety has announced the appointment of Kirk Unterseeas Vice President of Finance / Controller. In this position, Untersee will be responsible for overseeing financial reporting, preparing operating budgets and performing essential financial duties related to both payroll and operations.

Untersee is an accounting professional who possesses extensive experience in all aspects of finance and accounting for the manufacturing, service and construction industries. His skills include the creation of annual operating plans and forecasts, as well as the monitoring of actuals vs. forecasts.

In addition, his prior experience as a Plant Manager will provide a unique perspective, as well as a deeper understanding, of the essential connection between finance and operations.

Untersee earned his Bachelor of Science in Accounting with a minor in business administration from Illinois State University.

Telgian President Chris Higgins commented on the appointment: “A dynamic and effective leader, Kirk’s 30+ years of financial experience, combined with exceptional business acumen, will be an invaluable asset to Telgian Fire Safety.

“His proven track record and strong background in financial reporting, planning and analysis are essential as we plan for the future growth of the company.”  

Fire safety and security specialist, Amthal is continuing on its growth plan to service more advanced commercial customers, with six dedicated appointments already in 2023, set across the business.

The new appointments include Amy Bradbury who has joined the commercial team, together with Donna Henderson who has been welcomed as a key account coordinator in the MSR team.  Amthal has also appointed three new MSR Engineers since the start of the year.

Amthal is looking to grow its team further with the appointment of a new Business Development Manager, Supply Chain Team Member and a Key Account coordinator to meet increasing customer demand, alongside a number of Engineer roles in commissioning, maintenance and installation. 

Commenting on the team’s aspirational growth plans, Jamie Allam, CEO Amthal said: “There is a positive outlook for the physical security technology and fire safety industries as we move into 2023, especially with new legislation coming through.  To ensure we can continue to maximise the opportunities and remain proactive with our customers, together with the senior management team we have continued to steer the company on an ambitious growth plan. 

“This is both through acquisition following our success with IPL, and organic growth to further expand our geographical expansion along with adding to our existing services within the fire and security sectors.  To maintain our mission, vision and values and continue to customer excellence, we are delighted to welcome Amy, Donna and our new Engineers so early in the year. We are also conscious not to be complacent and present further exciting career opportunities via both technical and managerial pathways.” 

Amthal has also committed to its apprenticeship programme to develop the workforce and bring forward the next generation of talent in security and fire safety.

Allam added: “We operate in a dynamic industry and there are plenty of opportunities for a fulfilling and rewarding career. Amthal has always been a big supporter of apprentices and we continue to develop a range of training strategies and job-specific courses across the business. 

“We ensure apprentices have the opportunity to work with our senior team in a structured career progression path and form an essential part of our product and service development.  We have employed, retained and promoted the majority of our apprentices, with some even forming part of our management structure, making a significant influence on our future business growth.”

Johnson Controls has promoted Sarah Dixon to Enterprise Sales Director, UK&I, effective immediately. As the former General Manager, Fire Suppression at Johnson Controls, Dixon brings a wealth of leadership experience and industry expertise to the wider business.

In her new role, Dixon will continue to drive sustainable growth, digital and sustainable outcomes for Johnson Controls customers and positioning the business to thrive in an ever-evolving world.

“I am thrilled to announce Sarah’s new role in the business. Having been with Johnson Controls for two years now, Sarah has shown herself to be a proven leader in fire suppression, applying her experience and insights to some of the most complex fire suppression challenges,” shared Richard Lek, VP and GM, Building Technologies and Solutions, UK&I at Johnson Controls. “She is an asset to the team and I am excited to see her thrive in our enterprise sales function.” 

Dixon said: “I’m honoured to have progressed in my role at Johnson Controls and am eager to work among some of the best in the business.

“I look forward to drawing on my experience to help drive Johnson Controls toward continued industry leadership and global success.”

During her time with Johnson Controls, Dixon has led her team in driving the return of sales for Fire Suppression. Alongside her work in improving their financial results, she has spent time speaking both internally and externally to encourage diversity and inclusion within the industry.

Read IFSJ’s exclusive interview with Dixon Sarah Dixon, where she spoke to IFSJ Editor Iain Hoey about the gender balance in a male-dominated field.

Vallfirest has announced that Deane Seeger has been appointed the new Director of Sales at Vallfirest North America.

The fire protection equipment supplier said that having the opportunity to incoporate a person with Seeger’s experience in this position will ‘clearly put us one step higher.’

Commenting on his new role, Deeger said: I have 30 years’ experience designing, developing, manufacturing and selling products for the Wildland fire, Industrial Safety and Outdoor recreation markets. I worked domestically and internationally with fabric mills and factories. I spent the last 15 years selling and managing the sales teams in North America.

“I am very excited to be part of the team that is bringing Vallfirest wildland products to North America!

“When I am not fulfilling my duties for VFT I love to ski, cycle, travel and play golf. I love to cook and am always testing out new recipes on my family and friends. In addition to cooking, I have been making wine for 20+ years, always looking for the perfect wine to pair with the foods that I cook.”

The Board of NEBOSH has announced appointment of Andrew Shenstone as the new Chief Executive Officer of NEBOSH, the National Examination Board for Occupational Safety and Health, which provides valuable qualifications to tens of thousands of people in more than 130 countries every year. The appointment was made after a fair and open competition for the role.

Shenstone has worked in the education and training industry for several years and brings with him extensive experience of development and enhancement of higher education for the benefit of learners, employees and wider society.

He will lead the ongoing growth and development of NEBOSH as we aspire to attract even more people to train for, and take, our globally recognised qualifications in safety, health and environmental management.

The NEBOSH Board said looks forward to welcoming Shenstone who will join NEBOSH as CEO on 20 March 2023. Andy Wilkinson-Sharpe will meanwhile continue in the role of Acting Chief Executive.

The Association for Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP) has announced the expansion of its team to further strengthen its member support, with the newly extended team set take forward new initiatives and develop a range of new technical and competency services.

Tariq Malik has joined the ASFP in the new role of Quality Assurance and Quality Manager. Malik will be responsible for producing and managing a new umbrella quality mark scheme for ASFP members and further developing our Competency Pathway. He will also help to steer the Association through the ISO 9001 accreditation process and investigate the potential for additional certification schemes that will add value to ASFP and our members.

He brings experience of working in compliance and as a laboratory operations and quality manager. He also spent two years at TRADA Technology as a project co-ordinator.

Sadiyah Begum has been appointed as the new Technical Assistant, providing administrative and operational support to our existing technical and regulatory affairs officers. This new role forms part of the ASFP’s succession planning strategy and will develop further as Begum’s skills and knowledge of passive fire protection grow.

Begum has a Chemical Engineering degree, a Level 3 in Technology Entrepreneurship: Lab to Market and a foundation degree in Combined Engineering, the study of Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering and Electrical Engineering.

Andy Tyrrell has been appointed as Training and Events Executive, providing maternity cover for Georgina Fennell. He is an accomplished Events Manager with a strong background in organising events ranging from award ceremonies, exhibitions, business-to-business meetings, networking forums, seminars, conferences and large-scale outdoors events. He previously worked for organisations including Brighton and Hove City Council, Silverstone Race Circuit and the International Wine Challenge.

Welcoming them to the ASFP team, ASFP Business Manager Mike Ward commented: “We are thrilled to welcome Tariq, Sadiyah and Andy to the ASFP team. In these exciting new roles, they will be instrumental in developing new services to support our members. They each offer essential new skills that will be key to expanding the ASFP’s professional services and strengthening the Association’s reach and recognition throughout the construction sector.

“This latest expansion of the ASFP team ensures that the Association can continue to grow and build on its reputation as the go-to Association for passive fire protection advice, both now and in the future.”