Fire detection and life safety specialist CDS is expanding into the North of England and has set up an office in Manchester from which to manage its growth in the region.
New regional director Derek Stacey has more than 30 years’ expertise in the fire safety industry – and has worked with Honeywell Gent, CDS’ main tech platform, for most of his career.
Derek is already building a team of engineers and salespeople who will offer CDS’ services to social housing providers, councils, police authorities, hospitals, care homes, universities, factories, warehouses and airports across Northern England and into the Scottish borders.
CDS Managing Director Simon Abley explained: “Derek will be a tremendous asset to CDS. He has lots of experience and a long and entrenched relationship with the Honeywell Gent platform and is fully conversant with the system. He also has a wealth of experience of working with organisations with complex life safety and fire protection requirements across this region of the country which are very similar to the existing CDS customer base.”
CDS Chairman Simon Cashmore commented: “The appointment supports our plan to expand CDS via a ‘buy and build’ strategy over the coming months and years, broadening our geographic coverage via acquisition and organic expansion and increasing service capability within the compliance sector. CDS is now in a much stronger position to be able to seek further opportunities to acquire and consolidate businesses in the North of England under Derek’s leadership.”
Derek, who began his career in fire safety systems in 1989 and has held several directorial roles across the North of England, is excited to be joining the CDS fold.
“CDS is a forward-thinking company which has a good feel about it. It has a real sense of team spirit that I’ve not seen for a long time. Everyone wants to crack on and make this a big success and I’m excited to be joining the business at this time. This role offers an opportunity to work in a different way and expand into different disciplines within the compliance industry.”
Away from work Derek plays the drums and enjoys sea kayaking and paddle boarding off the North Wales coast.
Contact Derek at Derek.Stacey@cdsys.co.uk
