A role on the road: Ian Meadows
A career with Gallagher can take you to all sorts of places around the world - but don’t just take our word for it. Instead, take Ian’s.
When Ian Meadows started with us as an Electronics Assembler in Marton, New Zealand, he had no idea that many years later he’d find himself on the back of a motorcycle in Bangkok, fully suited and racing to get to a business meeting. Ian’s journey with Gallagher has been an exciting one - filled with learning, travel, and many laughs along the way.
Back in 1987, Ian joined the Gallagher Security business when it was still trading as Cardax, and was part of the team that produced the first twelve Cardax III units - a huge technological milestone. Although his roles have changed over the years - ranging from Hardware Tester to Technical Support Engineer to Business Development Manager - Ian has remained the loyal common denominator.
He’s witnessed his fair share of development - from Gallagher merging with Cardax, to the business unit’s eventual move to Hamilton.
In his current role as Sales Manager for India, the Middle East, and Africa, Ian spends about a quarter of each year on the road (needless to say, the Covid pandemic make things look a little different!) The projects he’s been involved with span many countries and industries - ranging from installing 1400 readers with elevator and intercom system integration at Etihad Towers in Abu Dhabi, to a venture spanning 28 buildings and more than 6000 cardholders at Zayed University in Dubai.
Ian and the team’s recent project includes a dispatch of the first order for a 667-door project in Dubai. Gallagher solutions will be used to secure this new site containing both a hotel and residential suites.
Despite his successes over the years - of which there are too many to list - it is the moments where things didn’t go exactly to plan that Ian remembers most vividly. “My most memorable travel experience with Gallagher was definitely travelling to a meeting in Bangkok on the back of a motorcycle in a suit, carrying my laptop and demo kit,” he laughs.
“The traffic was gridlocked and it was impossible to get there in a car so I hopped on a motorcycle taxi and he got me there on time, albeit by driving along the pavements and against the traffic in some places.”
Another memory that stands out is a trip to Delhi with Sir William Gallagher. Upon arrival, Ian was surprised to discover that the airline had sent his suitcase to another city.
“Luckily, Sir William graciously lent me a shirt and tie," Ian laughs.
For someone who annually travels, to quote Jules Verne, literally ‘around the world in eighty days’, Ian doesn’t play favourites. When asked what his favourite place in the world is, he responds, “Apart from New Zealand, everywhere. There isn’t a country that I travel to that I don’t enjoy the people, the business and the culture.”
Here at Gallagher, we are proud of the opportunities for personal growth and development we provide, and the unique experience many of our people get to enjoy. Ian is living proof that a career with us can take you places you never thought possible, or perhaps never knew existed! “Over the time I’ve been at Gallagher, my position has continually evolved, but all the way through I’ve worked with inspiring leaders and colleagues,” Ian says.
“From Electronic Assembler to Sales Manager for India, Middle East and Africa, I never stop learning. Every day is a new opportunity. That’s what Gallagher is all about.”
You never know - it could be you on that motorcycle! Find out more about the vacancies Gallagher has at the moment here.