Richard Huison was recently appointed by Vitaprotech Group as Hirsch MD to accelerate UK growth and advance customer-centric security. In this exclusive interview, we speak to Huison about his new role, and what he will bring to it.
How will you apply your extensive experience to your new role at Hirsch?
“I’ve been fortunate to work in senior roles across the security industry, from global brands to specialist integrators, covering sectors like government, critical infrastructure, and commercial enterprises. That experience has taught me the importance of blending technical excellence with customer-focused delivery. In my new role at Hirsch, I’ll apply that by fostering close collaboration between teams, driving innovation in our solutions, and ensuring every project meets the highest standards of security, compliance, and service. Ultimately, I want to build on Hirsch’s strong heritage (in the high-security area of the market) while positioning us for sustainable growth in a fast-changing market.”
What will be the first steps you take, and what will be your top priorities?
“My first step will be to bring the Hirsch UK and TDSi teams closer together building a shared vision, aligning processes, and making sure our people feel connected and empowered. From there, my top priorities are strengthening our customer relationships, expanding our integrated security offering, and ensuring that we deliver consistent quality across access control, perimeter protection, and related solutions. I also want to focus on innovation and agility so we can anticipate market changes and lead, rather than follow, in the years ahead.”
How does it feel to be part of the Vitaprotech family?
“It’s exciting to be part of the Vitaprotech family. Hirsch and TDSi have strong individual legacies, but within Vitaprotech we can offer something much more powerful – a truly unified security offering that spans perimeter protection, access control, identity management, and integrated technologies. Vitaprotech’s collaborative culture and commitment to innovation give us the resources and shared vision to accelerate growth while continuing to deliver the high standards and trust our customers expect.”
Thinking about the access control market generally, what do you see as the big trends?
“Access control is evolving rapidly. We’re seeing a strong move towards integrated, open platforms that connect access, video, intrusion, and perimeter protection into a single ecosystem. Cloud-based solutions are gaining momentum, offering flexibility, scalability, and remote management. There’s also a growing focus on mobile and biometric credentials for convenience without compromising security. At the same time, compliance, cybersecurity, and data privacy are shaping system design, while sustainability through low-energy, wireless devices is becoming an important buying factor. The market is shifting from stand-alone systems to intelligent, connected solutions that deliver both security and operational insight.”
How do you think the market will develop over the next five years?
“Over the next five years, I expect the access control market to become even more connected, intelligent, and service-driven. We’ll see greater adoption of cloud-hosted platforms and Artificial intelligence will play a bigger role by enabling real-time threat detection, predictive maintenance, and data-driven decision-making. Regulations around cybersecurity, privacy, and safety will continue to tighten, driving demand for compliant, future-proof solutions. At the same time, sustainability will move from a ‘nice-to-have’ to a core purchasing criterion, with low-energy, eco-friendly technologies becoming standard. Those able to innovate while keeping systems simple to use will lead the market.”
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