Giles Calenborne takes the helm at Impro Technologies

Issue 1 2020 News

Well-known access control company Impro Technologies has welcomed a new managing director, Giles Calenborne, to the fold.


Giles Calenborne.

Calenborne brings a wealth of experience in the IT sector, having worked for Microsoft in the UK before returning to South Africa in 2007 to head up a division of Sithabile Technology. More recently, Calenborne was the sales and marketing director for the electronic security company IDS, also based on the east coast of South Africa.

In addition to his industry experience, Calenborne brings strong knowledge of the channel business both in South Africa and globally. “Impro Technologies has a strong network of distribution partners and a key focus will be on unlocking the existing networks and building new opportunities to further grow our market presence,” said Calenborne.

A key area of this growth will be in international markets. “South Africa will always remain our core base and is a solid testing ground for our solutions. At the end of the day, if a product works in South Africa, it will exceed expectations in the global market from a security perspective.

“In addition, as a member of the global ASSA ABLOY group, we are able to rapidly adopt new technologies for our own application, such as cloud solutions, encryption and virtual applications. This ensures we continue to be relevant in international markets where technology and convenience must seamlessly converge,” said Calenborne.

Calenborne explained another area for strong growth is within the African continent. “Impro has already established a base in both Kenya and Nigeria, and we’ll be looking to expand throughout the region in 2020. Africa has an enormous untapped potential, but it requires an unique approach both from a business perspective, as well as product. Some countries face infrastructure challenges, such as power dips or outages, and our products need to accommodate that.

“I also think cellular technology provides an opportunity for leap-frog technologies in our industry – we’re accustomed to biometrics on our phone, downloading an app for almost any need and having our device with us 24/7. That provides great opportunities for disrupting the traditional way of doing things – much as we’ve seen with financial products like M-Pesa and Migo, or ride-hailing products like CanGo and the like, or the Kenyan e-commerce group Copia Global that targets low-income and unbanked citizens in rural areas – all addressing a mass market often excluded from traditional services.”

Calenborne will also drive a customer-centric approach to all areas of the operation, whereby the focus must be on “how does this improve the lives of customers” by either being quicker, easier or better than alternative solutions. “And it’s a full circle process – every division within our business must be looking at how we can improve things for our customers – whether that’s reducing the number of forms, responding quicker to enquiries, or making our products easier to use – my goal is that the overall experience for our customers should be exceptional,” said Calenborne.


Credit(s)




Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page



Further reading:

Olarm launches the Olarm LINK
Olarm Perimeter Security, Alarms & Intruder Detection News Products
Building on the success of smart-enabling, monitoring and controlling alarm panels and electric fences, Olarm has a new solution for customers to integrate gates, garage doors, pumps and other electrical products with the Olarm APP and Olarm PRO communicator.

Read more...
Ultimate smart monitoring and reliability
Olarm Perimeter Security, Alarms & Intruder Detection News Products
Olarm is gearing up to unveil its latest product, the Olarm MAX, set to be available in late 2023, which will redefine smart monitoring by offering unparalleled connectivity options and functionality.

Read more...
Insights from the 2023 Cloud Security Report
News Cyber Security
Increased costs, compliance requirements, hybrid and multi-cloud complexities, reduced visibility, and a lack of skilled practitioners cause organisations to slow or adjust their cloud adoption strategies.

Read more...
New algorithm for OT cybersecurity risk management
Industrial (Industry) Cyber Security News Commercial (Industry)
OTORIO’s new risk management model and attack graph analysis algorithm technology, calculates OT cybersecurity threats and provides risk mitigation actions, prioritised according to actual exposure and potential impact on operations.

Read more...
Robots: a security opportunity or a threat?
Editor's Choice News Conferences & Events
Professor Martin Gill, Director of Perpetuity Research & Consultancy International and the School of Criminal Justice at the University of South Africa (UNISA), will be holding a Global Thought Leadership Security webinar on 22 June 2023 to discuss the contentious issue of robots operating in the security industry.

Read more...
UNISA sponsors Securex seminars
Editor's Choice News Conferences & Events
As part of UNISA’s 150-year birthday celebrations, UNISA has sponsored the Securex Theatre Seminar Programme, which will include a number of prominent industry specialists, academics and security practitioners focusing on a number of themes.

Read more...
Facilities Management Seminar Theatre
Securex South Africa News
The free-to-attend Facilities Management Seminar Theatre, powered by Broll, delivers information on the latest market trends, thereby keeping attendees up to date on solutions and technology centred on increasing facility system optimisation.

Read more...
The latest security trends at Securex South Africa 2023
Securex South Africa News Conferences & Events Training & Education
Security technology evolves at a blistering pace, so it’s important to keep up to date with changing trends in order to ensure maximised safety of human and personal assets. The Securex Seminar Theatre, powered by UNISA, is the place to be.

Read more...
Sustainability School opens for enrolment
Education (Industry) News Security Services & Risk Management
Three-part programme, first developed for Schneider Electric employees, is now available for free for companies worldwide. Attendees learn how to future-proof their businesses and accelerate their decarbonisation journeys.

Read more...
From the editor's desk: Get Smart
Technews Publishing News
      Welcome to the fourth issue of Hi-Tech Security Solutions for 2023, which is also the first issue of Smart Security Solutions. As noted in previous issues, Hi-Tech Security Solutions has been rebranded ...

Read more...