The Last Word with Richard Parker, Group Head of Sales at Amthal
Iain Hoey
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Richard Parker, Group Head of Sales at Amthal, discusses the company’s 25-year journey, investment in skills, and future goals in life safety technology
Can you give us a brief introduction to Amthal and its place in the fire and safety industry?
Amthal is an independent life safety and security technology company that’s been operating since 2000.
We provide a full range of services from system design and installation to maintenance and monitoring; all with a focus on making sure buildings stay safe, secure and fully compliant.
What defines Amthal is the clear strategic mission where we combine technical knowledge with a practical, down-to-earth approach.
We work closely with clients across sectors, building long-term relationships based on trust.
It’s a company that values doing things properly and takes real pride in the work and the people behind it.
Can you share some highlights of your journey with Amthal so far?
Although it’s only been a short time since I joined Amthal in February, I’ve already learned a great deal not just about the business, but also the people who make it work.
What’s impressed me most is the level of professionalism and pride across the team.
There’s a real commitment to doing things the right way right from the start, which creates a strong foundation for delivering quality and building trust with customers.
The openness and support I’ve experienced have made it easy to contribute from the outset and I’m genuinely looking forward to what we can achieve together.
Amthal is celebrating 25 years this year, how has it navigated the industry over this period?
Over the last 25 years, Amthal has responded to industry change by evolving its focus from traditional fire safety to presenting life safety systems.
This reflects how customer needs have shifted, with greater emphasis on integrated, people-first solutions.
We’ve adapted by investing in technology, strengthening compliance and building a structure that supports consistent service across the UK.
What’s driven this progress is a practical mindset: listening, learning and improving.
From day one, we’ve aimed to deliver work we’re proud of, with the flexibility to grow responsibly alongside our customers and partners.
How is Amthal working with the industry to tackle the skills shortage?
We operate in a very busy sector, striving to address the skills shortage in life safety and fire protection by developing skills, building expertise and shaping future leaders in fire and security.
Our new Fast-Track Programme is designed to accelerate technical knowledge, compliance and hands-on experience, with direct involvement from our senior management team.
We continue to invest in apprenticeships and run a rolling recruitment programme to bring in and support new talent.
We’re also proud members of The 5% Club – an industry-led initiative committed to ‘earn and learn’ opportunities – which reinforces our pledge to long-term skills development across the business.
It’s a team effort focused on practical learning, real progression and long-term development to ensure we continue to deliver safe, compliant solutions.
What are Amthal’s primary goals for the future of the fire and safety industry?
Looking ahead, we aim to continue to grow as a trusted life safety partner by continually enhancing how we protect people and property.
We’re embracing the latest technologies, including AI, machine learning, cloud-based platforms and IoT, to deliver smarter, more responsive fire detection and monitoring solutions.
Our partnership with industry leaders like Honeywell Gent strengthens our technical capabilities and supports our commitment to compliance and quality.
By investing in our team and working closely with our customers, we continue to provide tailored solutions that meet evolving safety needs and set the standard for reliable, future-ready fire protection.