Aisling Green appointed to channel sales and specification development role at Hochiki Europe

Green joined Hochiki Europe around four-and-a-half years ago. At that point, Green worked across multiple product lines, building an in-depth understanding of Hochiki Europe’s fire detection technology from the ground up. A temporary move to support the supply chain and the export customer services team became permanent when Green was encouraged to apply for the role by Elliot Purse (general manager of procurement, supply chain and planning) who recognised her potential.

That role afforded Green a wider view of the business, from order management and export logistics through to the intricacies of product specification and lead times. It was during this period that she attended a Fire Industry Association (FIA) lunch alongside Hochiki Europe’s regional sales managers for the UK. That event realised a turning point.

“I saw another side to the fire industry and I thought it was massively exciting,” said Green. “Speaking with customers and competitors opened my eyes to just how much was going on in the sector.”

Shortly after the FIA gathering, Green was approached about the channel sales and specification development role. Despite initially doubting whether she met the criteria, Green applied for the role and was successful.

“I looked at the job spec and I honestly thought it didn’t apply to me,” said Green. “However, Hochiki gave me that opportunity. Being on the production line, understanding how the products are built and where they go, has given me a level of confidence I would not have had coming in from outside. Quite a lot of the customers find that background interesting as well.”

Valuable perspective

Green now reports directly to Ian Humby, UK sales manager at Hochiki Europe, who said: “The knowledge Aisling has built up across production and the supply chain affords her a perspective that’s genuinely valuable in a customer-facing sales role. This is already shining through in the way that she works.”

Humby continued: “Aisling has earned this role through hard work and a genuine curiosity about every part of the business in which she has worked. At Hochiki, our values are built around integrity, teamwork and a passion for taking on new challenges, Aisling embodies all of those values. We are delighted to see her step into this new role.”

Green’s appointment reflects a broader commitment at Hochiki Europe to investing in the development of its people and creating clear pathways for internal progression. The company actively supports employees in moving across functions and building the kind of cross-disciplinary knowledge that makes for well-rounded commercial professionals. It’s a message that Green is particularly keen to pass on.

“I think that when you’re in a given role,” observed Green, “it can feel like certain elements are not for you, but that’s not the case at Hochiki. The company is genuinely committed to developing people from within.”

Shifting conversation

Green’s story emerges at a moment when the conversation around ‘Women in STEM’ is shifting. More girls than ever are studying science, technology, engineering and mathematics at school and then going on to pursue those subjects at university or through graduate schemes.

Historically male-dominated, the fire and security industry is beginning to reflect that change. Appointments like Green’s are very much part of that picture. Green is often one of just a few women in the room at industry meetings and events and, on occasion, the only one. Rather than finding such a scenario isolating, Green views it as motivation.

“I feel really comfortable and supported,” concluded Green. “I hope people in the industry can see that opportunities are there for women currently working in roles and for whom a move like this one has perhaps never crossed their minds.”

As the industry continues to evolve, Hochiki Europe’s approach to internal talent development positions the business to attract and then retain the next generation of professionals, including those who might not have considered a career in fire detection as a traditional starting point.

*Further information is available online at www.hochikieurope.com