Hochiki Europe has announced the appointment of Aisling Green to the role of Channel Sales and Specification Development, marking the latest step in a career journey that began on the company’s own production floor.
Aisling joined Hochiki Europe around four and a half years ago, starting out on the production line where she worked across multiple product lines, building an in-depth understanding of the company’s fire detection technology from the ground up. A temporary move to support the supply chain and export customer services team became permanent when she was encouraged to apply for the role by Elliot Purse, General Manager of Procurement, Supply Chain and Planning, who recognised her potential.
That role gave Aisling 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 lunch alongside Hochiki’s UK Regional Sales Managers, an experience she describes as a turning point.
“I saw a whole other side to the fire industry and I thought it was massively exciting,” said Aisling. “Speaking with customers and competitors opened my eyes to just how much was going on in the sector.”
Shortly after that event, Aisling was approached about the channel sales and specification development role. Despite initially doubting whether she met the criteria, she applied and was successful.
“I looked at the job spec and I honestly thought it didn’t apply to me,” she said. “But Hochiki gave me that opportunity, and 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 too.”
Aisling now reports directly to Ian Humby, UK Sales Manager at Hochiki Europe.
“The knowledge Aisling has built up across production and supply chain gives her a perspective that is genuinely valuable in a customer-facing sales role, and that is already coming through in the way she works,” said Ian. “She has earned this role through hard work and a genuine curiosity about every part of the business she has worked in. At Hochiki, our values are built around integrity, teamwork, and a passion for taking on new challenges, Aisling embodies all of that. We are delighted to see her step into this role.”
Aisling’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 is a message Aisling is keen to pass on.
“I think when you are in a role, it can feel like certain positions are not for you,” she said. “But that is not the case at Hochiki. They are genuinely committed to developing people from within, and I hope others in the business feel that too.”
Aisling’s story also arrives 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 going on to pursue those subjects at university or through graduate schemes. The fire and security industry, historically male-dominated, is beginning to reflect that change, and appointments like Aisling’s are part of that picture.
She 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 that isolating, she sees it as motivation.
“I feel really comfortable and supported,” she said. “I hope people across the industry can see that it is possible, whether you are a woman, whether you do not have certain qualifications on paper or whether you are working in a role where a move like this has never crossed your mind. The opportunity is there.”
As the industry continues to evolve, Hochiki Europe’s approach to internal talent development positions it well to attract and retain the next generation of professionals, including those who might not have considered a career in fire detection as a traditional starting point.
About the Author
Dave Staddon - Publisher
Co-Founder of MDM Publishing Ltd. He has worked in fire publishing for close to 30 years. The company's portfolio includes International Fire Protection, International Fire Fighter, Asia Pacific Fire, Gulf Fire & UK Fire.
