I was lucky enough to be approached about the possibility of running AURA in the UK in the summer of 2022. The more I researched the business, its mission and operating model, the more interested I became, and after a long and thorough (!) interview process, I also had the opportunity to meet the senior leadership team and was drawn in by their energy and vision. A few months later I was sitting in the hot-seat, drowning in information overload as the induction phase kicked in, and I haven’t looked back!
It’s great to be working for a business with such a tangibly positive social impact – who wouldn’t be motivated by trying to mitigate the impacts of crime on a daily basis? On a personal note more generally I get a real kick out of trying to build a team that’s deeply aligned around a vision, and energised by pulling together to achieve new milestones on a weekly basis. I’m a massive believer in work needing to be challenging and stimulating, and love the camaraderie that solving new problems together and forging a path forward creates. There’s no better feeling than celebrating the big wins together, but also making sure we’re there for each other to learn and rebound when the going gets tough.
3. What do you believe is the most important quality in a successful supplier relationship?
Mutual honesty, transparency, respect and success! It’s no great secret that the best relationships are the ones that bring positive things to both parties. The better we can understand how our network partners operate and how we can evolve our solution to better help them service our customers, the more they can get out of working with AURA, commercially and operationally. So that constant two-way communication is central to a healthy, mutually beneficial and lasting relationship.
4. What upcoming developments or innovations at AURA are you most excited about?
It’s an unfortunate but undeniable reality that the UK police forces are increasingly unable to cater for the ever-evolving security and personal safety demands of the population. And that the private security industry has to continue to step up and fill the void between what a population needs and what the police can reasonably deliver. AURA’s vision has always been to make 24/7 real-time security response available to everyone, not just those who can afford professional monitoring. So I’m most excited about some of the integrations we’re currently working on that aim to move the model closer to this reality, making it easier for an ever larger percentage of the population to request a security officer attend their property at the tap of a button.
5. What role do you see our suppliers playing in AURA’s long-term vision?
Our network partners are the heart-beat of the AURA solution. Their buy-in and commitment to meeting the needs of our customers and our customers’ customers is central to our ability to deliver on our vision. We want to help make them successful by continuing to grow in commercial significance to them, whilst helping them meet their goals and aspirations around servicing the public.
6. If you could have dinner with any historical figure, who would it be and what would you ask them?
Perhaps quite recent to be considered an historical figure, but I’m going with Robin Williams. He had an amazing ability to combine poignancy with humour, portraying a variety of epic characters who made you laugh and cry in equal measure. I can imagine his presence would light up any dinner party!
7. What’s the most unusual or unexpected skill you have?
I used to be a decent juggler…that’s probably the most family friendly thing I can think of!
8. If you were stranded on a desert island and could only have three items with you, what would they be?
The first one is somewhat of a no-brainer – assuming 5G and a solar-charged battery pack, it would have to be my iPhone. Followed closely by my golf clubs (if I’m allowed to count these as one item) – would be a fantastic opportunity to perfect my bunker play and overcome my fear of water hazards. And finally a guitar, which I’d learn to play from scratch and then use the time to produce my first album.
As our conversation with Alex shows, the security industry is evolving, and AURA UK is at the forefront of that change. By combining technology with a trusted network of professionals, we’re redefining rapid response and ensuring businesses have the support they need, when they need it. Whether it’s strengthening partnerships, addressing the challenges of police resource gaps, or simply thinking ahead, AURA UK remains committed to delivering smarter, more effective security solutions. Stay tuned for more insights from our team—and if you’d like to learn how we can support your business, get in touch today.