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Alexander Carmichael
Chief Executive
In 2015, Alex Carmichael took over from Geoff Tate as chief executive of the SSAIB - the UK and Ireland’s leading fire, security and telecare certification body - which now has over 2000 registered firms. Alex joined SSAIB from the BSIA, where he was director of technical services and exports. His duties on various UK and European committees are helped by his strong technical background and close working relationship with a variety of industry organisations.
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Paul Phillips
General Manager
Paul Phillips began working for SSAIB in 2017 as compliance manager, in 2022 Paul was appointed as the general manager with the responsibity of the day to day running of the SSAIB. Paul trained as an electronics engineer and worked for security equipment manufacturers from 1994 until joining BSIA in 2009. Paul - who gained an MSc in Security and Risk Management in 2006 - has also been involved in the development of standards in the UK and Europe for electronic security systems since 2002.
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David Profit
Operations Manager
Joining SSAIB back in 1996, Dave became the certification body's first ever technical manager - a role he would hold alongside his current operations manager post until 2018, when Dave Roscoe was named as his predecessor in the role. Dave - along with former chief executive Geoff Tate - has been instrumental in the success that SSAIB has enjoyed in its first 25 years, with the pair overseeing such successes as UKAS accreditations and an expansion to also provide certification for the Republic of Ireland in 2004.
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Keith Strugnell
Fire Schemes Manager
Joining the SSAIB back in January 2004, Keith Strugnell started as an auditor covering security systems. He progressed further by adding the scope of auditing fire detection and alarm systems, before becoming scheme manager for Fire Systems. Boasting over 36 years of experience in the fire and security industry, Keith is responsible for BAFE SP203-1 Fire Detection and Fire Alarm Systems scheme, BAFE SP101/ST104 Portable Fire Extinguisher scheme and BAFE SP205 Fire Risk Assessment scheme. His role also sees him represent SSAIB at various British Standards Institute Technical committees and BAFE committees.
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Richard Deacon
Security Systems Scheme Manager
Richard joined the SSAIB back in 2014 as the North East Regional Auditor. In 2021 Richard gained promotion to the Security Systems Scheme Manager where he is responsible for maintaining the security systems scheme in line with the standards and regulations, he also sits on several industry body and police committees who are responsible for the development of new and existing industry standards. Richard is an indentured qualified electrical engineer and electrician who moved into the security systems field back in 1982. He has worked his way through all aspects of installation, service, system design and branch manager. Richard was also the Northumbria Police Intruder Alarms Technical Officer of 15 years.
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Keith Rogers
Security Services Scheme Manager
Keith Rogers began working for the SSAIB in 2020 as the Security Services Deputy Scheme Manager whereby he was predominately working with and representing the SSAIB on their Approved Contractor Scheme with the Security Industry Authority (SIA). Keith has worked in the security industry for nearly 30 years and after initially starting within the loss prevention and risk management sector working for major retailers such as Boots the Chemists, moved into quality and compliance during 2006 including holding roles as Compliance and Operations Director with large security services providers. Having previously been a buyer of security services and then moving onto supplying these services and now auditing them, Keith is passionate about improving the quality of the security industry including developing himself and others to achieve required goals and objectives.
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Lynn Watts-Plumpkin
Management Systems Scheme Manager
Lynn has been working in the security industry since the early 1980s across several sectors including loss prevention, private investigations, close protection and general security. Lynn has worked for contract security services companies as well as in house for global companies in a senor security role. She started her auditing career in the late 90’s undertaking security, fire, environmental and health and safety audits for large retailers and conducted security reviews for blue chip companies including Deutsche Bank, Nomura and Harrods. Lynn joined SSAIB in 2002 and assisted SSAIB in obtaining UKAS accreditation for BS7499 static site guarding and mobile patrols and BS 7984 keyholding and response services and when the SIA introduced the Approved Contractor Scheme Lynn was one of the first Assessors to be signed off to assess the scheme. Lynn was promoted to Scheme Manager, being the first for SSAIB and successfully managed the Security Services department for a number of years but left for a short time to ‘Widen her horizons’ which included assessing security companies in Iraq. Lynn re-joined SSAIB in June 2020 and carried on where she left off. Lynn is now the Management Systems Scheme Manager for SSAIB, is a Fellow of the International Institute of Risk & Safety Managers and continues to chair GW/3 the British Standards committee for Private Security Management and Services.
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Trevor Jenks
Training Manager
The training manager for SSAIB, Trevor Jenks joined the organisation back when the SSA was forming in 1991 – after working his way up from a family security company. After serving a security engineering apprenticeship himself back in 1969, he has been a main player in security and fire training since 1986. As well as being a Member of the Chartered Institute of Personal Development (MCIPD), Trevor represents SSAIB on the national Trailblazer body and various sub committees – in addition to working as a systems auditor.
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Andrew Brown
Sales and Marketing Manager
With a plethora of experience within the pre-press industry across Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Andrew Brown initially started at the SSAIB as print manager back in May 1997. Looking after SSAIB publications - such as our in-house magazine - and general administration, he called on his previous experience as a bureau manager when he was appointed as office manager. Andrew held this role until 2004, when he started his current sales and marketing manager role. As well as heading up the SSAIB sales team, he is also responsible for all of the company’s day-to-day marketing activities.
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Sheridan Doyle
Office Manager
Having arrived as cover for maternity leave, office manager Sheridan Doyle permanently joined the SSAIB in 2009. The Business Studies degree holder came from a manufacturing background, which included working as a production planning manager for over 10 years. Sheridan is responsible for overseeing a number of departments; including bookings, reporting and non-conformance reporting (NCRs).
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Michael Jamieson
Compliance Manager
Michael Jamieson joined the SSAIB in 2021 as the Deputy Compliance Manager. Following a successful year, he was promoted to Compliance Manager. Michael is responsible for ensuring SSAIB’s compliance to maintain UKAS accreditation. Michael has over 25 years experience within the Fire, Emergency Security Systems (FESS) sector. He began his working life as an apprentice and worked his way through the industry ranks which led him to become an engineering manager for a national security provider. This experience also led to Michael completing several training qualifications taking him in a different direction, training FESS apprentices throughout northeast England.
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Joanne Ellis
Coordination Manager
Joanne has worked at SSAIB for around 15 years collectively. Starting in 1999 as an apprentice in Business Administration, she has now had experience in almost all departments in the office, and has achieved numerous NVQ qualifications and passed the IRCA Lead Auditor Course to enhance her skill set. Joanne has recently taken on the challenge of Coordination Manager and will be working closely with our Scheme Managers and Inspection team monitoring resource allocation and providing support where needed.