Month: November 2025

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

As we move into the final stretch of 2025, November has been a month of contributing to the wider business community – through sharing best practice, volunteering, mentoring, and continuous learning – while also laying the groundwork for a confident and ambitious 2026.

NI Safety Group Annual Conference – Martyn’s Law in Focus

We began the month exhibiting at the NI Safety Group Annual Conference, where one of the key themes centred on Preparing for Martyn’s Law and strengthening venue safety.

It was an honour to spend time with Figen Murray OBE, initiator of Martyn’s Law and a truly inspirational person. I also had the privilege of taking part in a panel session alongside Figen, Tony Stafford from the SIA, and Jenny Penrose from our longstanding client, Odyssey Trust. Together we shared practical insights on improving security and emergency preparedness across all sectors.

If you missed it, the full write-up is available here: NISG Annual Conference Highlights.

Projects & Technical Delivery – What the Team Has Been Working On

It has been a busy and productive month across our Projects, Compliance and Maintenance teams, with activity spanning NI and beyond.

New Fire & Security Installation Delivered

We handed over a new fire and security installation for a leading aerospace and defence manufacturer. Extensive pre-configuration was completed in The Vault to minimise downtime and disruption on site.

Enhanced Security for Several MLAs

In response to the current threat environment, our security team has also been delivering enhanced protection measures for several MLAs, ensuring their homes and constituency spaces are as secure as possible.

BESS Site – South of England

Members of our technical team visited a large Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) site in the south of England, where we will be commissioning a high-end fire detection system early in the new year. This project draws together our expertise in specialist detection and critical infrastructure protection.

Upgrade Works at a Belfast Community Facility

Closer to home, we upgraded ageing life safety and security systems at a long-established Belfast community centre – bringing the building up to modern standards and improving overall resilience.

Maintenance Across NI

Our service engineers have been busy as always, maintaining systems right across Northern Ireland – from university colleges and factories to offices and entertainment venues.

Compliance Services

We also completed numerous Fire Risk Assessments across Northern Ireland, and delivered another Fire Warden Training Course – we were delighted to score 10/10 from all attendees!

ISO 9001 Quality Audit – NSI Visit

Our annual ISO 9001 quality audit took place this month, carried out by NSI. Upholding high standards is part of who we are, and the audit once again validated the strength of our systems and processes.

A special thanks to Julieann, our Operations Manager, whose meticulous work ensures our continued compliance and quality assurance.

Leadership, Governance & Growth

November brought a wealth of leadership and governance-focused opportunities for me.

IoD Private Dinner

I attended an intimate IoD dinner with leaders from across Northern Ireland. Martin Tierney shared superb insights into leadership, lean practice, and his experience in a world-class family business. Seating Matters continues to set a global example in operational excellence.

IoD Directors’ Bootcamp

Later in the month, the IoD Directors’ Bootcamp provided a timely refresher on directors’ duties and good governance – particularly relevant as we prepare to appoint a Non-Executive Director in early 2026. Much of the discussion mirrored the reflections shared at the earlier IoD dinner on the value of a strong board in a growing family business.

Crescent One – Distilled (The Foundation)

I attended Distilled, hosted by The Foundation, at Crescent One- an inspiring evening exploring leadership, purpose and tackling complex business challenges with clarity.

The fireside chat with Sarah Schaefer, Jo Hopkins, and Brendan Gallen, chaired by John McKee, was excellent.

• Sarah shared valuable learning from Wrightbus and her earlier roles
• Jo offered fascinating insights from elite sport and high-performance coaching
• Brendan highlighted findings from The People Advantage and the role of purpose in unlocking performance

The evening closed with a whiskey tasting with Master Distiller Graeme Millar from McConnell’s Irish Whisky, accompanied by music from The String Ninjas – a brilliant event all-round.

NI Chamber President’s Banquet

I’m looking forward to attending this week’s NI Chamber of Commerce President’s Banquet as a guest of Danske Bank. This year’s theme celebrates The Open Championship in Portrush – a special event that I had the privilege of attending in July with some of our clients.

Three-Year Vision Finalised

A major milestone this month was putting the final touches on our new three-year vision during our board meeting. It is ambitious, strategic, and firmly rooted in our values.

We’ve placed strong emphasis on clarity of roles, responsibilities and accountability as we prepare for our next phase of growth. I’m excited to present the full vision to the wider team in early December.

Investing in the Team

LinkedIn Masterclass with Kerry Hall

We hosted a fantastic LinkedIn training session with Kerry Hall, helping the team strengthen both their personal and professional online presence. Expect to see more from us on LinkedIn as these insights are put into practice.

Community, Schools & Giving Back

Wallace High School Careers Fair

This week Ian and I went back to Wallace High School – our old school – to exhibit at their Careers Fair. Supporting young people as they explore future paths feels more important than ever. The engagement from the pupils was fantastic, and encouraging to see so much interest from the young women there. It was great to catch up with my A Level English teacher, who was a big part of why I studied English at Queens University Belfast.

SistersIN Mentoring Programme

This month I was delighted to begin my mentoring journey with SistersIN, meeting my mentee, Isha from Methodist College, for the first time. Helping young women build confidence and feel supported as they navigate future opportunities is something I feel deeply passionate about.

Wellbeing & Personal Growth

Somatic Breathwork with Ben Gadd

I took part in a somatic breathwork session led by Ben Gadd – a deeply emotional experience that brought forward memories and connection to friends on the other side of the world. A powerful reminder of the importance of pause and presence.

Lucille Cassidy’s Winter Reset

I’ll be closing out the month with Lucille Cassidy’s Winter Reset – a restorative blend of reformer pilates, yoga, hot-and-cold exposure, and journalling. A perfect way to create space and intention before the busy festive season.

Looking Ahead – Preparing for 2026

Behind the scenes, a significant amount of work has been focused on goal-setting, planning, and strengthening accountability structures. This month has been about building the right foundation for thoughtful, sustainable growth.

Our purpose remains unchanged: to help people understand how to protect what matters most. But how we deliver that, through leadership, innovation, technology, and education – is evolving in all the right ways.

Until next month,

Angela 

E-bikes and e-scooters are now common across offices, apartment blocks and workplaces in Northern Ireland – and so are the fires linked to lithium batteries. These fires behave differently from traditional fires, spreading rapidly, producing toxic gases and blocking escape routes within seconds.

Here’s what responsible persons, landlords and building managers need to know.

1. Why These Fires Are So Dangerous

Lithium-ion batteries can fail through damage, incorrect charging, poor-quality chargers or modifications. When they enter “thermal runaway”, they produce:

• fast-growing flames
• intense localised heat
• toxic gases (carbon monoxide & hydrogen cyanide)
• smoke that can appear like harmless steam

In corridors and stairwells, this can quickly make escape impossible.

2. Don’t block escape routes

No e-bikes or e-scooters should be stored or charged in escape routes, including:

• corridors
• stairways
• lobbies
• riser cupboards
• electrical intake rooms
• under-stair spaces
• external balconies

These areas must remain free of combustibles at all times.

3. If Charging on Site Is Necessary

Some workplaces and residential complexes may need designated charging areas. Guidance recommends that these spaces should ideally:

• be on ground level with direct external access
• be separated by fire-resistant construction
• contain automatic smoke detection
• include ventilation/AOVs to release toxic gases
• provide localised suppression where appropriate
• have an external electrical isolation switch
• never be the only route of escape

4. Fire Risk Assessment Requirements

Your Fire Risk Assessment should now specifically consider:

• the presence of EPPVs on the premises
• where tenants or employees are charging devices
• use of incorrect chargers or extension leads
• proximity to ignition sources or gas services
• whether alternative charging arrangements are needed

If tenants or staff are breaching safety rules, dutyholders must act.

5. Best Practice for Users

Everyone using e-bikes and e-scooters should:

• only use the manufacturer-approved charger
• never charge overnight or unattended
• stop using damaged, swollen or overheating batteries
• charge on a non-combustible surface
• buy from reputable suppliers – no DIY conversions

6. How Diamond Systems Can Help

We support responsible persons and building owners with:

• Fire Risk Assessment updates
• Fire detection and alarm installation and maintenance
• Fire Warden Training
• Lithium-battery extinguishing solutions

Lithium-battery fires are one of the fastest-growing safety risks in NI buildings. For more information on your responsibilities for fire safety under Northern Ireland legislation, visit the NIFRS website. London Fire Brigade also have a guidance note specifically on this risk. With our extensive experience, Diamond Systems can help you stay compliant – and keep people safe. Get in touch if we can help.

The Northern Ireland Safety Group (NISG) Annual Conference at the La Mon Hotel once again brought together leading professionals across health, safety, and security. As conversations intensify around Martyn’s Law ahead of its planned implementation, this year’s event provided timely insights and invaluable collaboration opportunities.

Diamond Systems was proud to exhibit for the second consecutive year and to continue supporting the NISG community in its shared mission: keeping people safe.

Showcasing Innovative Safety and Security Solutions

Thank you to everyone who visited the Diamond Systems stand throughout the day. Our team—Paul Doherty and Conor McCreesh—enjoyed discussing a range of industry-leading solutions, including:

• Britannia Fire P50 eco fire extinguishers
• Safety Chair evacuation chairs
• Kentec Electronics wireless lockdown alarms
• Ajax Systems smart security systems
• Fire safety, compliance and workplace training courses

These products and services continue to support organisations across Northern Ireland as they review and strengthen their safety arrangements.

A Powerful Focus on Martyn’s Law

The conference agenda, expertly hosted by Ronan Kelly, featured an impactful keynote from Figen Murray OBE, whose advocacy led to Martyn’s Law receiving Royal Assent in April 2025. Her message underlined the importance of proactive safety planning and highlighted the journey toward full implementation, anticipated by April 2027.

Diamond Systems fully supports the aims of Martyn’s Law and the positive changes it will bring to public venue protection.

Panel Discussion: Practical Considerations for Venues

A panel discussion featured our Joint Managing Director, Angela Bennett, Jenny Penrose from the Odyssey Complex and Tony Stafford of the Security Industry Authority (SIA), and explored the practical implications of Martyn’s Law and the steps venues should be taking now.

As part of this session, Angela contributed insights on the essential role of CCTV in venue safety, emphasising:

• The need for systems to be fit for purpose and correctly designed
• The importance of eliminating blind spots
• The value of competent, proactive maintenance
• How AI-enhanced CCTV can support early detection of suspicious behaviour

These principles align with the core objectives of Martyn’s Law: improving situational awareness and enabling timely responses.

Sharing Best Practice Amongst Northern Ireland’s Leading Venues

Diamond Systems was pleased to attend the conference alongside guests from several of Northern Ireland’s most iconic venues, including The Odyssey Complex, ICC Belfast, Waterfront Hall, Ulster Hall, the Grand Opera House, and the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park. Each plays a significant role in delivering safe and secure experiences for the public.

In the evening, we were also joined by our insurance broker, Willis Insurance and Risk Management, and members of the PSNI. As event sponsors, we were pleased to highlight the ongoing collaboration, professionalism and shared values within the NISG network.

Supporting Organisations as Martyn’s Law Approaches

With Martyn’s Law entering the implementation phase, now is the right time for venues and duty holders to review risk assessments, strengthen physical and digital security measures, and ensure staff are trained and prepared.

Diamond Systems can support you with:

• CCTV system design, upgrades and maintenance
• Smart security technology, including AI-supported solutions
• Lockdown alarm systems
• Evacuation equipment and training
• Fire safety, compliance and workplace training

To learn more about what we showcased at the NISG Annual Conference—or to discuss how we can support your Martyn’s Law preparations—please get in touch with our team.

Diamond Systems is proud to support the 2025/26 SistersIN Leadership Programme, an initiative dedicated to empowering young women across Northern Ireland. This year, our Joint Managing Director, Angela Bennett, is volunteering as a mentor, working closely with a pupil from Methodist College Belfast as she develops her leadership skills and prepares for life beyond school.

As a company with a strong commitment to people, community and long-term development, we are delighted to play a role in helping shape the next generation of female leaders.

About SistersIN

SistersIN is an eight-month leadership and mentoring programme designed exclusively for female sixth-form pupils in Northern Ireland. The programme provides:

• Structured leadership development
• One-to-one mentoring with female business leaders
• A practical leadership project within each participating school
• Exposure to different career paths, industries and opportunities

The goal is simple: to enable young women to step into leadership roles with confidence, capability and a clear sense of possibility. The initiative has grown rapidly, with more schools, mentors and students participating each year, creating real impact at a pivotal stage in young women’s lives.

Why Diamond Systems Is Involved

At Diamond Systems, we believe in supporting people to grow—professionally, personally, and as leaders. With almost 40 years’ experience in the fire and security industry, we understand the importance of representation, confidence-building and creating pathways for talent to thrive.

Our involvement with SistersIN reflects our values:

• Empowerment – giving young women the tools to lead with confidence.
• Community – contributing positively to the wider Northern Ireland community.
• Leadership development – supporting the leaders of tomorrow, not just those of today.
• Inclusion – showing that high-tech industries like ours are open, accessible and full of opportunity for women and girls.

As a senior female leader in a traditionally male-dominated field, Angela brings first-hand experience of navigating leadership, building resilience and shaping a career with purpose. Her mentorship is a continuation of our commitment to supporting people in Northern Ireland at every stage of their development.