New appointment for Siemens fire safety division

by Breaking NewsPeoplePeople

Siemens fire safety division appointment supports push toward connected, intelligent fire protection.

The Siemens fire safety division has been strengthened with the appointment of Nicholas Bryan as Innovation & Consultant Manager.

Bryan joins from Siemens’ Utilities Division, where he spent two years working on system integration for critical national infrastructure, with responsibility spanning fire, security and building management systems (BMS) integration.

Before that, he spent a decade in the facilities management sector, holding roles at major providers including Mitie and Sodexo. In those positions, he focused on business development and supporting blue-chip clients across complex service environments.

His move comes as Siemens fire safety advances its portfolio with the introduction of the Cerberus and Sinteso Nova range, which aims to shift fire detection toward more proactive, connected and cloud-enabled safety solutions.

Bryan said: “I am delighted to be joining the team to engage with specifiers and consultants in demonstrating the potential our fire offering provides in the journey towards autonomous buildings. Through my background I understand the importance of integration so will also be focusing on that message and how Siemens as a business can help with our extensive portfolio of products and systems.”

Harmony Fire appoints Andrew Causton as Technical Director

by Featured NewsFire EngineeringPeople

Harmony fire appoints technical director

Harmony Fire has appointed Andrew Causton as Technical Director within its consultancy business.

The company said Causton has 18 years’ experience, including 10 years in high-hazard industries.

He joins after working in senior operational roles for the emergency services and private contractors, and most recently as an independent fire engineering consultant.

Harmony Fire said his work has included design team roles across healthcare, education, commercial and residential sectors.

Role background and recent company activity

The appointment is positioned as part of a continued build-out of Harmony Fire’s consultancy offer.

The company referenced the June 2025 launch of its technology-led Auro brand.

It also referenced the recent unveiling of ‘Life Guard’, which it described as an open-source framework for housing leaders focused on organisational risk culture and assurance.

Causton said: “Everyone with a passion for fire safety engineering is driven to make the world a safer place, and by closely following Harmony Fire’s journey, I recognise an organisation pushing the boundaries and developing new and innovative approaches to mitigate life safety risk.

“A key attractor in joining the business is the incredible network of expert collaborators that partner with Harmony Fire to help develop new solutions to life critical challenges, it’s inspiring and exciting to now be part of this important mission.”

Oliphant said: “As we see continued blurring of the lines between life safety and smart asset management strategies, organisations are increasingly seeking out expertise to provide a holistic whole-life asset perspective, rather than short term quick fixes.

“The addition of Andrew to our fast-growing team brings a breadth and depth of technical excellence and experience that further elevates our capabilities and the expert support we provide to our customers.

“Attracting the best talent drives our business forward and I’m delighted to be working alongside Andrew as demand scales up across Harmony Fire’s comprehensive consult, build and maintain life safety offer.”

The company described the appointment as a further strengthening of its consultancy business.

Zelim corrects course on cruise safety with new Sales Director

by Featured NewsSafetySearch and Rescue

Zelim appoints Mike Collier as Sales Director

Zelim has appointed Mike Collier as Sales Director, effective January 2026, with responsibility for market development in the cruise and defence industries globally.

The company confirmed Collier joined from MARSS, where he led business development for the cruise and defence sectors.

Collier has a 20-year career that includes more than six years in the cruise sector at Carnival Corporation.

During his time in the sector, he led the working group that developed ISO 21195, the man-overboard detection standard that was formally published in 2020.

Cruise deployments and sector focus

The appointment follows the first cruise ship deployment of Zelim’s man-overboard detection technology, ZOE, in 2025.

Zelim also referenced the recent launch of its defence business unit.

The company said it is encouraging broader cruise industry adoption of ZOE on passenger ships, linking this to safety expectations and potential future regulatory requirements.

Collier will work alongside Barry Park, who joined in early 2025 as Sales Director for the energy sector.

Leadership comments

Mayall said: “We are delighted to have Mike on board, bringing his unique background and an in-depth understanding of both the defence and cruise sectors.

“He joins us at a pivotal moment for the company, as we look to continue our growth strategy globally, and deepen our reach in priority markets.”

Collier said: “Zelim is a business with real momentum, a clear story, and a team that genuinely believes in what it is building.

“I’m looking forward to making an impact by building strong, trusted relationships with customers as the company scales.”

The company also said it has ambitions to expand the sales function further in the future.

Johnson Controls appoints Susan Hughes as Asia Pacific president

by Featured NewsPeople

Johnson Controls appoints Asia Pacific president

Johnson Controls has appointed Susan Hughes as vice president and president, Asia Pacific.

The appointment was announced in a Johnson Controls statement dated 26 January 2026.

Hughes will report to chief executive officer Joakim Weidemanis and join the company’s executive committee.

She succeeds Anu Rathninde, who will depart Johnson Controls at the end of February.

Background and executive comments

Weidemanis said: “As we continue to operationalize our enterprise strategy, the Asia Pacific region represents a significant growth opportunity,”

“With her deep expertise in the region and strong record of leading teams, operations and customer engagement, across the region, Susan is well positioned to strengthen our execution, deliver even greater value for our customers, enable our people to do so and ultimately accelerate growth.

“I want to thank Anu for his dedication and contributions to Johnson Controls over the last few years and wish him well.”

Hughes brings operating experience across sales, marketing, service, engineering and manufacturing.

She spent 20 years at Emerson, holding leadership roles across multiple businesses in the Asia Pacific region.

She most recently served as President of Asia Pacific for Emerson Automation Solutions.

She delivered sustained growth across markets in the region through commercial execution and lifecycle services.

Hughes holds an MBA from Washington University’s Olin School of Business.

She also holds dual bachelor’s degrees in Mathematics and Mandarin Chinese from Grinnell College.

The statement also noted she is conversant in English and Mandarin Chinese.

Complii names Rick Anderson Divisional Sales Director for fire division

by Featured NewsPeople

Fire division appointment at Complii

Complii has appointed Rick Anderson as Divisional Sales Director for its fire division.

The company announced the appointment in a press release.

Role scope and responsibilities

Anderson will lead the fire division’s sales strategy, with a focus on national accounts and strategic expansion.

Complii said he has over 20 years’ experience driving multimillion-pound growth and experience in building teams and delivering sales initiatives across FM, public and private sector environments.

McKay said: “We are thrilled to have Rick join the Fire Division as Sales Director.

“He brings a unique blend of technical expertise and proven commercial leadership.

“His track record of building high-performing teams and his commitment to transparency make him the ideal leader to drive our sales initiatives and strengthen our key client relationships.”

Background and stated priorities

Anderson is originally from Lincoln and joined the Royal Corps of Signals at 16, serving in Kosovo, Iraq and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

After leaving the Armed Forces, he began as a Fire Extinguisher Service Technician and moved into management roles.

Most recently, as Commercial Sales Director, he held responsibility for Sales and Account Management, consistently outperforming growth targets over a nine-year period.

Anderson said: “My vision for the division is built on the foundation of transparency – with our clients, our colleagues, and our teams.

“I am motivated by building trust and delivering meaningful collaboration.

“By focusing on innovative fire safety solutions and clear communication, we will ensure sustained growth and technical excellence.”

Complii describes itself as a provider of building safety and regulatory compliance services across water, air, fire and electrical compliance sectors.

Britannia Fire adds Finance Manager as production demand rises

by Featured NewsPeople

Britannia Fire finance manager appointment

Britannia Fire has appointed Amy Bayliss as Finance Manager as the business continues to expand following another bumper year of production of its P50 composite fire extinguishers.

Bayliss is an Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) qualified accountant.

She joins from Norse Group where she held the role of Finance Business Partner.

Her new role marks a return to the manufacturing sector following a previous Management Accountant position at printing company Clays.

Role responsibilities and business priorities

In the role, Bayliss will manage financial planning and reporting across the organisation.

Britannia Fire said the appointment forms part of its investment in people and infrastructure to support growth as it responds to increasing demand for its fire extinguishers.

Bayliss said: “It’s exciting to be joining Britannia Fire at such a pivotal time for the business.

“The company’s commitment to innovation and quality is clear, and I’m looking forward to supporting its continued growth and success.”

Finance team changes and ESG focus

The company said Bayliss’s appointment will enable Financial Officer Karla Guadarrama to focus more closely on sustainability initiatives including Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) projects.

Joint Managing Director Andy Spence said: “Amy is a great addition to our team, bringing a strong blend of technical accounting expertise and commercial insight.

“As we continue to grow, her experience and approach will be invaluable in supporting the next phase of Britannia Fire’s development.

“Her appointment also allows us to further advance our ESG ambitions, which are integral to the way we operate as a business.”

Passive fire safety growth plan as Trail Group appoints David Humphrey

by ActiveConstructionFeatured NewsPassivePeople

Trail Group appointment strengthens passive fire safety leadership

Trail Group has appointed David Humphrey as Operations Director, with operational responsibility for the group’s Passive Fire Safety division.

Humphrey has more than 25 years of experience in high-end housebuilding and construction, working for tier one contractors.

His experience includes cost planning, contract administration, strategic procurement, subcontractor management and operational oversight for major construction projects.

Jon Crosby, Managing Director of Trail Group, said: “David brings considerable commercial expertise, leadership experience and operational strength to Trail Group at a pivotal time in our growth.

“We are delighted to welcome him to the business and to the Board.”

Role scope and professional background

In the role, Humphrey is responsible for leading and strengthening the operational teams and managing the financial performance of the business.

This includes embedding commercial processes and delivering quality, compliance and customer satisfaction across workstreams and projects.

He will support the group’s wider commercial strategy, including new sectors and partnerships for business development, and will work with the board on growth plans.

He will also oversee passive fire safety operations from contract award to completion, with responsibility for delivery to specification, schedule and budget.

Humphrey said: “Trail Group is a business with real momentum.

“I was impressed by the entrepreneurial and customer-focused culture at every level; the high calibre of people in each division, and the genuine commitment to looking after its clients.

“Its teams have a really positive and proactive attitude, rarely shying away from a challenge, and consistently going the extra mile to deliver outstanding results.

“The opportunity to help shape and grow the business really appealed at this stage of my career – to build on these strong teams, strengthen commercial rigour, and open up new avenues of work with developers, public sector organisations, social landlords and commercial clients.”

Humphrey has a degree in quantity surveying and has held senior commercial and project director roles, working across pre-construction and construction delivery.

Trail Group said its services include passive and active fire protection, construction and refurbishment, security solutions, electrical testing and installations and planned maintenance.

The company said it works nationally with housing associations, local authorities, NHS trusts, emergency services, museums, large private landlords and commercial organisations.

AESG make three new senior appointments

by Featured NewsPeople

Consultancy firm AESG has made a trio of senior appointments, marking a significant step in its mission to make a strong impact in the UK built environment sector.

Committed to delivering projects that are equally visually striking, safe and environmentally responsible, AESG is made up of a high calibre leadership team and numerous dedicated specialist consultancy teams.

Together, they work across the world on projects in the building, urban planning, infrastructure and strategic advisory sectors.

The business provides expertise in sustainable design and engineering for mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire safety solutions, as well as specialist façades, security, acoustics and waste management services. 

Amy Koerbel, AESG, Director of Façades

Amy Koerbel is AESG’s new Director of Façades. With over 25 years of experience in architectural engineering, technical design and strategic leadership, Amy will spearhead AESG’s façade consulting services in the UK and beyond.

Her knowledge and skills will enhance AESG’s capabilities in tackling complex façade projects while contributing to the firm’s growth in the key markets.

Sandra Rubiano, AESG, Associate Director of Façades

Sandra Rubiano joins Amy in the AESG Façades team as Associate Director of Façades. Sandra brings invaluable expertise to enhance AESG’s integrated services for our clients in the UK façade remediation market.

Alongside this she will lead the development of cutting-edge façade engineering solutions, overseeing the successful delivery of AESG’s façade projects to best practice standards, inspiring innovation from within the team and expanding the business’ market presence in the UK.

Elisabeth Montgomerie, AESG, Sustainability Director

Elisabeth Montgomerie has joined the business as Sustainability Director, tasked with creating impactful strategies that achieve transformational sustainable outcomes.

An expert in decarbonisation, biodiversity and social value, Elisabeth’s most recent role was with a global multidisciplinary consultancy where she was Sustainability Lead and Associate Director for Sustainable Building Design.

AESG, Director of Façades, Amy Koerbel’s statement

Amy Koerbel, Director of Façades, said:“ With my technical background in architectural, structural and façade engineering, I’ve always embraced a multidisciplinary and collaborative approach to solving challenges – key values AESG shares. 

“In addition to my technical expertise, I’ve had the opportunity to take on significant leadership and management roles, which have been instrumental in shaping how I approach team building and stakeholder engagement and in delivering results that align with both client aspirations and company objectives.

“These experiences will be invaluable as I work to grow AESG’s façade engineering presence in the UK.

“With heightened regulatory requirements and an industry-wide push for sustainable building solutions, it’s an exciting opportunity to contribute to AESG’s vision and help shape the future of façade engineering.”

AESG, Associate Director of Façades, Sandra Rubiano’s statement

Sandra Rubiano, Associate Director of Façades, said: “The UK market presents a wealth of opportunities for AESG, including the imperative to meet increasingly stringent regulatory demands and the exciting advancements in façade technologies.

“I’m particularly excited about retrofit projects; not only does improving energy efficiency and fire performance of existing buildings align with AESG’s expertise and sustainability goals, but these processes also contribute significantly to the UK’s wider carbon and safety agendas – areas where AESG has played a pivotal role.

“Through open communication, actively encouraging knowledge sharing, and promoting a collaborative team environment, I aim to ensure that insights from all disciplines in the business – including sustainability, acoustics, fire engineering and more – are effectively integrated to deliver truly holistic and sustainable façade solutions for our clients.”

AESG, CEO, Saeed Al Abbar’s statement

Saeed Al Abbar, CEO at AESG, said: “In line with the UK government’s commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, we have made a conscious decision to scale up and enhance our existing provision of sustainability consultancy and building design and engineering expertise in the UK to support existing and future clients better.

“Adding these three remarkable individuals to our team demonstrates the level of conviction behind that choice as they will add an immeasurable amount of gravitas to our offering.

“Collectively, Elisabeth, Amy and Sandra bring a new level of excellence to our business, and their passion to continue driving change in the industry makes them an ideal fit for AESG.

“Their appointments also demonstrate our steps to champion diversity and inclusion in the industry as we believe different ideas, experiences, and viewpoints are integral to success.

“We recognise the true value that women bring to leadership roles in organisations like ours and feel incredibly lucky that a trio with such extraordinary talents are part of our team.”

New female leadership team at AESG: Summary

AES has announced that Amy Koerbel, Sandra Rubiano and Elisabeth Montgomerie will be joining their senior leadership team. Saeed Al Abbar, CEO of AESG said that the appointments demonstrate the companies steps to champion diversity.