Apollo: New Senior Management

Apollo Fire Detectors has made two new appointments to its EMEA Board of Directors, demonstrating the company's commitment to further growth in the region. Warren Rees joins Apollo Fire Detectors Ltd as Managing Director for Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) and Neil Taylor joins as Sales Director EMEA.

In his role, Warren will be responsible for optimising the performance of Apollo EMEA and maximising growth opportunities in the region. Reporting into Danny Burns, Divisional Managing Director, Warren will head up Apollo's team of EMEA Directors. As Managing Director EMEA, he will also sit on Apollo's global board, helping to shape the company's expansion plans at a global level.

With more than 20 years' experience in the fire industry in senior management roles, Warren is well-placed to secure a strong presence and increase profitability for Apollo across the whole of the EMEA region, with particular emphasis on the key growth areas of France and Germany.

Prior to joining Apollo Fire Detectors, Warren joined its parent company, Halma, in 2003 as Managing Director of Fire Fighting Enterprises (FFE). After four years, he moved to another company in the group, Crowcon, as Managing Director, remaining in this role for five years until joining Apollo.

Previously, Warren held senior operations roles with two global technology companies: Smiths Group in aviation and automotive and then at Thorn plc in radiation protection and consumer products. He first entered the fire industry in the 1990s as UK MD of Cerberus.

As Sales Director, Neil Taylor will play a key role in implementing Warren's vision for Apollo in the EMEA region. Managing the company's UK and international sales teams and customer care division, Neil will lead the future sales growth in the UK and expand the international side of the business, building on the progress already achieved.

Neil brings with him considerable sales and commercial experience gained at United Technologies, where he progressed to the role of VP for EMEA of Carrier Transicold, growing the transport refrigeration business from a £300 million to a £500 million company and selling into 62 countries across the EMEA. Neil then moved to Chubb Fire and Security Ltd as Commercial Director, where he achieved an excellent track record in international sales growth through strategic planning of routes to market.

Warren, commenting on his and Neil's recent appointments, says: "My career to date has given me insight into fire detection systems, putting me in a strong position to understand the issues and challenges that our customers face. With Neil's commercial acumen and in-depth knowledge of the EMEA market, we are in an even stronger position to ensure that Apollo maximises the growth opportunities in this region and remains at the forefront of the latest technology developments as they emerge."