Month: September 2025

Every month, our Joint Managing Director, Angela Bennett, shares an insight into leadership within fire and security…

“September has been a whirlwind month for me, packed with progress, people, and plenty of sparkle at a few black tie events. From new team members and two trips to London, to audits and training, it’s been a reminder of how important strong networks and continuous learning are – both for Diamond and for me personally.

The Next Generation of Talent

The month started on a high as we welcomed Josh, our new apprentice, who joined Diamond Systems on 1st September. He’s already settling in brilliantly, and it’s fantastic to see the next generation of talent beginning their journey with us. In October we’ll be joined by our new Junior Sales Executive, further strengthening our safety products and training division – exciting times ahead. One of the most enjoyable aspects of my role is creating additional employment, and giving young people a start in a solid career.

I am a big believer in paying it forward, so this month I signed up as a mentor with SistersIN, a wonderful initiative that connects female leaders with young women still at school. It’s a privilege to support and encourage the next generation as they shape their future careers. I didn’t have a mentor at school, or university (outside of family members), but I have had plenty since. Mentorship is a fantastic way to grow and challenge yourself, and it also holds you accountable and makes you more receptive to feedback.

Projects and Performance

September saw us commence a Northern Ireland-wide rollout of P50 fire extinguishers for a major retail chain, on behalf of one of our GB based partners. The retail chain selected the P50 for its sustainability, safety, and life cycle cost saving, and who could blame them. Keep an eye out for the P50s the next time you are out shopping. On top of that, we’ve seen a steady stream of P50 extinguisher orders coming in across every kind of setting, from farms and offices, to vehicle fleets and apartment developments. It is good to see Northern Ireland embracing this innovation, even though we are around 10 years behind the P50’s adoption in GB.

On the compliance front, we retained a Grade A in our annual Health & Safety Audit – our 20th year as members of the Safe-T-Cert scheme. As our projects take us everywhere from new construction sites to residential homes, health and safety is a vital aspect of the planning and delivery of our work. Our NSI Fire Audit also fell into September, this time the focus was one of our recent major projects within an education setting. Three times per year NSI Inspectors visit our company to audit our completed projects across security and fire, and review our paperwork and certification, ensuring the highest compliance with the Codes of Practice and NSI Gold Scheme rules.

Networking and Industry Events

Networking has been a big theme for me this month (when is it ever not?!)  I have recently rejoined the Institute of Directors and attended their annual dinner in Belfast, which was a fantastic evening of connection and conversation. I also enjoyed a busy calendar of client meetings with ADS members following the brilliant Stormont ADS event earlier in the month, which commemorated the Battle of Britain. It was truly an honour to be on the guest list for that event, and to meet some of the wonderfully brave people who protect our nation.

A highlight this month was attending the DSEI event in London, where I was hugely impressed by the innovation and strength of the UK defence sector. I particularly enjoyed speaking to the Northern Ireland businesses who were exhibiting there, some of whom are clients of Diamond. It was fascinating to hear about the products and services they supply into the defence sector. Another networking highlight was attending my friend Ciaran May’s Natural Resilience ‘Breaking Bread’ breakfast, with Lady Mary Peters and the Deputy Lord Mayor of Belfast, Paul Doherty (no relation to our Paul Doherty!), in the beautiful setting of Regency House. It is fantastic to catch up with familiar faces at these events, some of whom also attend Ciaran’s Rising Tide sea dips.

September also saw the Women in Fire Safety Awards in London, which I attended as a guest of Gavin Skelly of Fire Aware. As last year’s UK Woman of the Year, I was honoured to give the opening speech – and it was inspiring to see such talent and commitment across our industry. I have now officialy handed over the title to the 2025 winner, and what a worthy successor in Dr Barbara Lane, one of the most respected voices in fire safety. Her expertise, leadership and role in shaping standards – including her work on the Grenfell Inquiry – make her an inspiration to us all – and inspiration is what these awards are all about!

Whilst in London, I also spent time with our partners at Uptick, the job management platform we use to deliver a seamless experience for our clients. It was great to catch up with the wonderful team, take part in a video interview about our journey with Uptick, and see first-hand how their innovation continues to transform the way fire and security businesses operate. Partnerships like this help us stay ahead – ensuring our clients benefit from both cutting-edge technology and our trusted expertise.

Planning has also been underway this month for November’s NI Safety Group conference, where I’ll be speaking on a panel about Martyn’s Law, alongside other industry voices including Figen Murray. You can now buy tickets for the event on the NISG website.

Learning and Inspiration

The month will finish on a forward-looking note with the AI event at the MAC Theatre: Stop Watching AI from the Sidelines. Start Building It Into Your Business Now. It is set to be a practical, high-energy session full of real-world insights and live demos, with a clear message – AI is here, and it’s time to embrace it. Just as we embrace innovation in fire and security, events like this encourage us to apply the same mindset across every area of business. Our willingness to learn new skills, embrace change, and step into unfamiliar territory helps us grow – both as leaders and as businesses.

Looking Ahead

September was also a month for some final preparations for my upcoming trip to Australia for a close friend’s wedding.

As we head into October, I’m excited to welcome our new Junior Sales Executive to the Diamond team, keep building on the momentum of our projects, and continue finding ways to grow, connect, and inspire.”

Angela 

Diamond Systems was proud to be part of the Women in Fire Safety Awards 2025 in London – an evening dedicated to celebrating the incredible achievements of women across the fire safety industry.

Our Joint Managing Director, Angela Bennett, was delighted to be a guest of Gavin Skelly of Fire Aware, and honoured to speak at the opening of this year’s ceremony. Having won UK Woman of the Year in 2024, Angela was invited back to reflect on what the award had meant to her, to the team at Diamond Systems, and to the wider industry.

She shared how the recognition pushed her to grow in three ways:

• Upskilling herself – by stepping into the technical space, enrolling on the FIA’s Fundamentals course, and passing the Level 3 exam with 96%.
• Helping others – launching Diamond’s education and compliance division, training over 150 delegates, and hosting a seminar on BS 5839-1:2025 to raise standards. She also praised organisations such as Fire Aware and the FIA for leading the way in raising competence across the industry.
• Putting herself in the spotlight – mentoring young women, contributing to podcasts and blogs, and showing visible female leadership in fire and security.

Speaking about her experience of being the only woman in the room at many industry events in Northern Ireland, Angela reminded the audience:

“Representation matters. We belong in the room. Step forward. Use your voice. Don’t wait to be perfect before you speak up. Be a lamp, a lifeboat, or a ladder — light the way, lift others up, and help lead this industry forward.”

Angela also spoke passionately about the importance of raising competence across the sector. From engineers to directors, she stressed that “if we are serious about raising standards, every one of us has to keep learning, keep challenging ourselves, and keep pushing forward.”

The evening was a celebration of talent, dedication, and leadership – qualities that will shape the future of fire safety. Angela added:

“The Women in Fire Safety Awards shine a light on the people driving real change in our industry. It was inspiring to see so many women recognised, and I’m proud that Diamond Systems continues to play its part in promoting female leadership within the sector, raising standards, and keeping people safe.”

At Diamond Systems, this commitment is at the core of everything we do. Based in Belfast, we are one of the few independently owned NSI Gold-accredited companies remaining in Northern Ireland, with a 37-year track record of protecting people, buildings, and businesses. Our engineers hold the latest FireQual qualifications, and we continue to set the bar for competence and reliability across the UK and Ireland.

We would like to congratulate all the winners and nominees for their outstanding contributions, congratulate the organisers Chloe and Kate, and to thank organisations like the FIA and Fire Aware for continuing to champion competence and collaboration across the sector.

While in London for the Women in Fire Safety Awards, our Joint Managing Director, Angela Bennett, spent a morning with the team at Uptick, the UK’s leading job management software for the fire and security sector.

Uptick has been a major part of Diamond Systems’ journey over the past year. Since moving across to the platform in Autumn 2024, it has become an integral tool in how we manage our operations and deliver service excellence to our clients.

During the visit, Angela sat down with Ellis Allen, UK and Ireland Head of Customer at Uptick, to discuss:

• Why Diamond Systems chose Uptick
• The onboarding experience and support provided
• The benefits the platform has delivered to our business and clients
• How our collaboration is helping to keep people safe

A video of their conversation will be live soon on Uptick’s LinkedIn page – definitely worth watching for anyone interested in how technology is transforming service delivery in the fire and security sector.

We’re grateful to Ellis and the Uptick team for such a warm welcome in London and look forward to continuing to build on this strong partnership.

The updated edition of the UK’s key fire detection and alarm standard, BS 5839-1:2025, came into effect on 30 April 2025. One of the notable updates is the introduction of a recommended label for fire alarm control and indicating equipment (CIE) where the system is connected to the fire and rescue service.

What Has Changed

Under BS 5839-1:2025, it is now recommended that a clear notice is displayed on, or directly next to, any fire alarm panel that transmits fire signals to an Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC) or the fire and rescue service.

A typical wording example is:

FALSE ALARM NOTICE
This fire alarm has an active connection to the fire and rescue service.

This update aims to raise user awareness of the system’s signalling pathway and help reduce false alarms — a growing concern for both fire and rescue services and duty holders.

Requirement vs Retrospective Application

• The notice is a recommendation within the standard — it is not a statutory legal requirement.
• The change is not retrospective. Existing systems installed to previous editions of BS 5839-1 do not have to add the label, but we recommend it.
• New installations, alterations or extensions carried out after April 2025 should follow the latest standard, including this new labelling recommendation.

Why It Matters

• Improved awareness: Users can see immediately that a false activation will notify the fire and rescue service.
• False alarm reduction: Reminds anyone operating or testing the system to follow correct procedures.
• Good practice & compliance: Although not mandatory for older systems, adding the notice demonstrates alignment with the latest industry guidance.

Diamond Systems’ Approach

At Diamond Systems, we have already adopted the BS 5839-1:2025 update:

• All new fire alarm installations and upgrades will include the recommended label as standard.
• Our maintenance teams check that the label is present and legible during routine servicing.
• We advise clients who wish to bring their systems in line with the latest best practice, even if no upgrade works are planned.

Keeping up to date with standards is a vital part of maintaining safe and compliant premises. If you would like advice on how BS 5839-1:2025 affects your fire alarm system, our team is here to help.

👉 Contact Diamond Systems for expert guidance on fire detection, alarm signalling and compliance.

This September, our Business Development team travelled to London for DSEI UK, the world-leading defence and security exhibition held biennially at ExCeL.

DSEI is unlike any other event – a global forum where governments, national armed forces, industry leaders, and academics come together to explore the latest innovations shaping the future of defence and security. The sheer scale and energy of the exhibition is something that needs to be experienced in person.

Representing Northern Ireland on the Global Stage

It was fantastic to see Northern Ireland so well represented at DSEI, with a superb Invest Northern Ireland stand showcasing the strength and diversity of companies from across the region. From advanced manufacturing and engineering to cyber security and communications, local firms stood shoulder to shoulder with global players.

As members of ADS Group NI, Diamond Systems is proud to be part of this ecosystem, supporting aerospace and defence clients with trusted, cyber-secure, and fully accredited life safety and security solutions.

Building Connections and Sharing Expertise

Throughout the event, our team met with existing clients, industry partners, and new connections from across the defence and security community. These conversations underline the importance of collaboration and innovation in keeping people, assets, and infrastructure safe in a fast-changing world.

Our Commitment to Excellence

At Diamond Systems, our focus is on helping organisations protect what matters most. We back this up with the highest industry standards, including ISO 9001 certification for quality management and Cyber Essentials Plus accreditation for cyber security. Combined with our NSI Gold status, these accreditations demonstrate our commitment to delivering excellence, compliance, and peace of mind for every client.

Ready to Strengthen Your Security?

From critical infrastructure to high-security environments, we provide tailored fire and security solutions designed around resilience, compliance, and innovation.

If you are ready to strengthen your organisation’s life safety and security, our team would be happy to have a confidential conversation about your needs. Get in touch.

This September, our Joint Managing Director Angela Bennett and Business Development Consultant Robert Hutchinson were honoured to be invited to a special event at Stormont, hosted by ADS Northern Ireland, to commemorate the Battle of Britain.

The event brought together representatives from across the defence, aerospace, and security sectors, alongside political and civic leaders, to reflect on the extraordinary courage and sacrifice of “The Few” who defended our skies in 1940. It was a poignant reminder of the price of freedom, but also a celebration of the innovation and resilience that continues to characterise the UK’s defence and security industries today.

Remembering the Past, Shaping the Future

The Battle of Britain holds a unique place in history as a turning point in the Second World War. Hearing the stories retold in Stormont’s historic setting was both moving and inspiring. It reinforced the importance of continuing to invest in technologies, partnerships, and skills that protect people and communities in today’s world.

A Strong ADS Network

As members of ADS NI, we value the opportunities these events provide to connect with peers, partners, and clients across the sector. They are a chance not only to reflect on our shared history, but also to look ahead – working together to deliver security, resilience, and innovation across Northern Ireland and beyond.

Our Role at Diamond Systems

At Diamond, our mission is clear: to help organisations protect what matters most through high-quality, cyber-secure, and accredited fire and security solutions. With ISO 9001 certification, Cyber Essentials Plus accreditation, and NSI Gold status, we provide assurance, compliance, and peace of mind for clients across aerospace, defence, and beyond. Get in touch if we can help protect your business.

Holidays are over and August has flown by, and what a month it’s been for Diamond! Our teams have been busy delivering fire and security solutions across hospitality, pharmaceuticals, and social housing schemes. For our pharmaceutical client, we’ve installed an aspirating fire detection system – the gold standard for ultra-clean environments where early detection is absolutely vital.

We’ve also secured fresh projects in aerospace, defence, and energy storage, continuing our track record of supporting safety-critical sectors. Some of this work will see us back in England, where we’ve successfully delivered before. At the same time, we’re supporting GB-based partners with their Northern Ireland sites, alongside our usual packed schedule of service contracts.

And big news – we’re gearing up for a Northern Ireland-wide rollout of extinguisher replacements on behalf of a UK partner for a major retail chain. A large-scale programme that underlines the confidence others place in Diamond to deliver at scale.

Training and Knowledge-Sharing

Training has been in full swing too. Paul Doherty and I delivered a fire warden course, and we’ve just launched our autumn training dates. It’s fantastic to see organisations really investing in their teams’ fire safety knowledge.

We also hosted the brilliant Nimbus team in Belfast. Their innovative connected fire alarm technology is a game-changer, and we’re rolling this out to our engineers and clients.

Industry Leadership

August was also about giving back to the industry. I joined the judging panel for the Women in Fire Safety Awards – the calibre of entries was inspiring – and I can’t wait to be back in London this September to give the opening address as last year’s UK Woman of the Year.

Looking further ahead, I’ll be joining a panel at the NI Safety Group conference in November, alongside the Security Industry Association and our client The Odyssey, to discuss Martyn’s Law. Figen Murray will also be presenting – her story is one that stays with you and she is incredible. If you are responsible for safety within a venue, you will not want to miss it. For a quick introduction, here’s a helpful video: Martyn’s Law overview and what you need to know | ProtectUK.

Growth and Development

Diamond is growing! We’ve appointed a Junior Sales Executive who will join us in October to strengthen our safety products and training division, and we’re delighted to welcome Josh, our new apprentice, who has just started his journey with us. Building the next generation of talent is something I’m really passionate about.

And in between all the projects and planning, there’s been plenty happening personally too – from sharing my first podcast interview (thanks for all the lovely feedback) to being on the inaugural A320neo flight to Rome – in August Steve and I enjoyed a cruise round the Greek Islands with our families, which was amazing! We also squeezed in a ladies’ wellness day at Lucille Cassidy’s retreat and rounded off the month in style with the most special of evenings at the ICC Belfast with Van Morrison and Ronnie Wood. Huge congratulations to Rob McConnell and the brilliant team at ICC Belfast on delivering such a fresh, world-class concept that truly elevates the concert experience.

September is my favourite month of the year and it is shaping up to be another packed month of networking and industry events – with two trips to London for DSEI and the Women in Fire Safety Awards, followed by the IoD Annual Dinner here in Belfast. Lots of opportunities to connect, share ideas, and keep building momentum!

Angela

We’re delighted to welcome Josh as the newest member of the Diamond Systems team. Josh joins us today as he begins his Level 3 Apprenticeship NI in Fire and Security Systems at SERC – a four-year programme that combines classroom learning with hands-on industry experience.

Josh was really excited to get started. From his very first day, he will also begin our in-house Diamond Development Programme, a structured 90-day onboarding plan developed by our Joint Managing Director, Angela Bennett to give apprentices a strong foundation in their careers. The programme covers everything from health and safety, company culture and values, through to the essential technical skills needed to start working as a fire and security engineer.

“Having a thorough induction is so important – especially when it’s a young person’s first full-time job. It ensures that new starters feel part of the team, know what’s expected of them, and get the right support to grow in both skills and confidence.” – Angela

We have employed apprentices for many years at Diamond, but Josh is the third apprentice to go through the Diamond Development programme:

• Chris Bradford was the first, and he has just successfully completed his apprenticeship and qualified as an engineer after four years.
• Cameron Jones followed, starting last year. He is progressing brilliantly, having won Apprentice of the Year at SERC Newtownards, and is now moving into his second year.
• Now, Josh begins his journey – and we’re confident he will thrive just as much as his predecessors.

Josh brings with him valuable experience from part-time work in customer service and decorating, as well as strong teamwork and leadership skills from playing and coaching football. These qualities will stand him in great stead as he builds his technical knowledge and grows into his new career.

At Diamond, we are passionate about supporting the next generation of engineers, investing in their development, and giving them the tools to succeed. We’re very excited to see Josh’s journey unfold and to support him every step of the way.

Welcome to the team, Josh!