FTSE 100 Innovation Manager Appointed as Head of Digital for North East Manufacturer

13 Jan 2020

A North East-based fire system manufacturer has appointed its first Head of Digital, as it looks to realise the full potential of connectivity.

Global systems leader, Advanced, designs, manufactures and supplies fire alarm control panels to over 80 countries across the globe from its headquarters in Newcastle.

Christina Brugger joins Advanced as Head of Digital from the manufacturer’s FTSE 100 parent company, Halma PLC, where she helped various teams with developing digital business models, customer validation, pitching and execution.

In her new role, Christina will oversee the development of several cloud-based projects to accelerate Advanced’s digital growth strategy. In leading the “commercial investigation” for these projects, Christina’s role will touch almost all areas of the business, working closely with the products, technical support and sales teams to ensure a thorough market and customer understanding.

Managing Director at Advanced, Pete Browitt, said: “As a company we are looking to realise the full potential of digital connectivity, Christina’s experience of working with various cloud-based platforms and innovation processes will significantly increase the knowledge and understanding of a digital approach for Advanced.”

The newly created role comes as Advanced prioritises its digital offering, which includes its first cloud-connected fire panel, the Go1, and its complete solution for remote management and servicing of the fire system, that is also set to significantly simplify on-site interaction, DynamixLive. Both products are due for launch in 2020.

Christina said: “I’m thrilled to be joining Advanced at such a pivotal time in the company’s history. Understanding our customers’ different personas, their pain points, and what drives them to make decisions is key to delivering the best possible solutions for the market.

“Few manufacturing companies are this customer focussed, and I am lucky to be working with a team with such significant knowledge and expertise in working with cloud technology.”

Advanced, owned by FTSE 100 company Halma PLC, protects all manner of prestigious and high-profile sites across the globe, from London’s Shard and the Savoy Hotel to Abu Dhabi International Airport and Las Vegas’ Golden Nugget Casino.

Halma is a global group of life-saving technology companies with a clear purpose to grow a safer, cleaner, healthier future for everyone, every day.

Advanced is a world leader in the development and manufacture of intelligent fire systems. The legendary performance, quality and ease of use of its products see Advanced specified in locations all over the world, from single-panel installations to large, multi-site networks. Advanced’s products include complete fire detection systems, multiprotocol fire panels, extinguishing control, fire paging and false alarm management systems.