PERSONALITY PROFILE

In conversation with… Ian Meadows, Gallagher security sales manager for India, the Middle East and Africa.

As we plough full-steam into 2021, we need to seize every opportunity that comes our way.

Born in London, England, Ian Meadows now calls New Zealand his home – though he typically spends at least a quarter of the year visiting the IMEA (India, Middle East, Africa) regions in his position as Sales Manager for Gallagher security.

Celebrating 34 years of service with Gallagher security, which is headquartered in Hamilton, New Zealand, and has offices around the world, including South Africa, Australia, the United Kingdom, Asia and North America, Ian has worked his way up to his present position, that of Sales Manager in charge of the IMEA regions. It’s a journey that began with his appointment as an electronics assembler in 1987 when the company was trading as Cardax. “I was part of the team that produced the first twelve Cardax III units, which was a huge technological milestone!”

In 1999, Cardax was acquired by Gallagher, a global technology leader in integrated access control, intruder alarms management, and perimeter protection. “Gallagher’s security solutions are in use within the highest levels of national and local government, military, commercial, industrial, healthcare, transportation and academic organisations in more than 130 countries,” he says proudly.

The road to success

I’ve held several positions during my time with Gallagher, ranging from electronic assembler, repair technician, security production team leader, through to technical support, technical account manager, business development manager for Asia, India and the Middle East, and then in 2020 IMEA sales manager.

My journey with Gallagher has been an exciting one, filled with learning, travel and many laughs along the way – and I’ve witnessed some incredible innovation from within the company.

After finishing school, I studied electronics and computer science at Southampton Technical College in England. My first job after qualifying was as an auto electrician in England.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

I love the thrill that comes from solving real problems for our customers and providing innovative solutions that add genuine value to their businesses. In my current role, I have been involved with some exciting projects that span many countries and industries, from installing 1 400 readers with elevator and intercom system integration at Etihad Towers in Abu Dhabi, to a venture spanning 28 buildings and more than 6 000 cardholders at Zayed University in Dubai. Every day is a new opportunity, and that is what Gallagher is all about.

It’s in the Gallagher DNA to discover, design and deliver customer-inspired solutions that redefine what is possible for customers around the world. Whilst we have more than 13 000 customers globally, there are so many more businesses yet to experience our innovative solutions, which is an exciting challenge and goal to say the least!

Memorable moments?

One of them was travelling to a meeting in Bangkok on the back of a motorcycle in a suit, carrying my laptop and demo kit! The traffic was gridlocked, and it was impossible to get there in a car, so I hopped on to a motorcycle taxi and the driver got me there on time, albeit by driving along the pavements and against the traffic in some places!

What personality traits do you admire most in people?

Honesty and integrity. And, by the same token, I dislike dishonesty and lack of integrity.

In the time of Covid-19, what are the effects on the security industry now and likely going forward?

2020 was a year like no other, with challenges galore. But security manufacturers can take heart from the fact their rapidly evolving solutions have proved and are continuing to prove, central to managing the pandemic.

From a security perspective, the pandemic has forced companies to review the way they approach the health, safety and security of their staff. As offices reopen and we emerge from an extended period of lockdown, integrations with elevated body temperature and mask detection devices are now very important to customers. Also critical is the ability to quickly trace people who have come into contact with those presenting with Covid-19 symptoms in the workplace.

To this end, a key release for many users last year was Gallagher’s Proximity and Contact Tracing Report, which gives customers critical information that allows them to manage exposure and protect the health and safety of people on site.

What’s on your career bucket list?

I have my fingers and toes crossed that 2021 brings with it the opportunity to travel to my markets again. That’s one of the things I’m looking forward to the most. Electronic means of communication are great tools, but people do business with people, and direct human interaction can’t be supplemented by technology. Humans are analogue beings.

What do you regard as the main challenges facing South Africa’s security sector?

South Africa lags behind in cybersecurity legislation and security standards in government and organisations, where electronic security is crucial for business continuity, the protection of staff, assets and the public, as well as the supply of skilled labour. Currently, South Africa does not have an industry-specific qualification for the electronic security industry. Establishing qualifications for sales, solution architects, installation technicians and commissioning engineers would be extremely beneficial, and would help improve professionalism within the industry.

With the formation of the new and exciting organisation, the Electronic Security Industry Alliance (ESIA), under the auspices of the Security Industry Alliance (SIA), we are sure to see improvements in this space. I believe some of their objectives are centred around training, and also installing a set of standards/codes of practice regarding operation and accountability in the marketplace.

Last word?

Despite the challenges, there are also opportunities. Seize them!

The Etihad Towers in Abu Dhabi.