Women in Tech 9 Mar 2026
The fire and life safety industry has traditionally been male-dominated, but that’s steadily changing. Across Kentec, women are playing key roles in technical, product and support functions, bringing fresh perspectives and helping to shape how we work and support our customers. Our technical teams reflect a more balanced gender ratio than is typically seen across the sector.
We asked a few colleagues from different teams to share their experiences of working in tech. Their responses highlight the importance of support, collaboration, and perspective in Kentec.
Nicola Meen
I’m Nicola and I work as an administrator in the Product Management Department. I moved over from Tech support about 10 years ago, my role is to help process projects through from conception of new products, to release for sale.
What skill or mindset has proved most valuable in your current role?
The skill’s that proved most valuable in my current role was my technical knowledge as I started at Kentec in Tech support; I knew what parts/ panels went together, so this really helped me when I first moved roles.
What’s a common misconception about your role, and what’s the reality?
A common misconception about our role is we are basically sales this couldn’t be further from the truth; our jobs are more to do with new products and adjusting and changing our original products to fit customer’s needs.
What advice would you give someone stepping into your role?
The advice I would give someone stepping into my role, is go for it , our job is different every day and you are always learning new things, we have a great team who all work hard together and who will go out of there way to help and support you.
What’s something you’re excited to learn, improve or explore next in your career?
Something I’m excited to learn is all about the new products that we have coming out, I love to learn new things so anything I can do to help myself I will. I will ask questions even if I think they are silly because how I see life is if you don’t ask you will never know.
I am so lucky to work with such a great team, who have helped and supported me so much over the years, I don’t know how I would have got though everything the last 2 years have thrown at me without their Support and understanding.
Hannah Banks
I’m Hannah and I am a Junior Technical Support Engineer for Kentec. I am currently in training and have been focusing learning the intricacies of Kentec’s products and how to best support engineers and colleagues with troubleshooting.
When you first started in your field, what surprised you the most?
What has surprised me the most during my training so far, is the vast amount of technical knowledge involved in fire alarm systems beyond what is immediately visible. It has been really helpful that throughout my training so far, the tech support team has been incredibly supportive and given me the opportunity to learn at my own pace.
What skill or mindset has proved most valuable in your current role?
The most valuable mindset is having the willingness to learn and ask questions. Being open to guidance and knowing that it will take time to understand all our fire alarm panels. What gives me great satisfaction is gradually building my knowledge of our products and being able to apply that when I am putting it into practice.
What advice would you give someone stepping into your role?
Advice I would give to someone who is stepping into the role is to make the most of the training by getting stuck in using the panels and ask lots of questions, everyone in the department is always more than happy to help. There’s also lots of resources available such as manuals and training videos, as well as the in-house training sessions.
What does support or inclusion in the workplace look like to you?
Support and inclusion in the workplace to me means having clear guidance, structured training and being able to speak with my colleagues. All my questions are welcomed and answered, no matter how small or insignificant I may think they are.
Natalie West
I’m Natalie and I work as an administrator in the Product Management Department. My role is to help process projects through from conception of new products, to release for sale.
When you first started in your role, what surprised you the most?
When I first started in this role, I was surprised at how varied this job can be and how much goes on behind the scenes to bring a new product to market.
What skill or mindset has proved most valuable in your current role?
I think the ability to be flexible is important with this role, the goal posts can move frequently. Persistence is also important to keep tasks on track.
What part of your work gives you the most satisfaction, and why?
I get satisfaction when a project is complete and we are selling lots of new product ! It gives me a sense of accomplishment to finally sign a project off.
What does support or inclusion in the workplace look like to you?
I feel fortunate at Kentec to be surrounded by a supportive team who are happy to share knowledge and assist when I am unsure about an issue, I feel I am always learning in my job.
On a personal level, I know that the management team I work with are compassionate and understanding when we have difficult personal situations, and I am grateful for the support I have been shown in recent years.
Helena De Salis
I’m Helena and I’m the Administrator for Tech Support and Training at Kentec – I deal with Service Replacement Items, LE2 user accounts and training administration.
When you first started in your field, what surprised you the most?
Coming to Kentec initially was quite daunting; it had been 13 years since I worked in an office so I was unsure about returning to on-site work. Luckily the team in the office couldn’t have been more welcoming. So much so that I rarely work from home as I enjoy the atmosphere here.
What skill or mindset has proved most valuable in your current role?
As my role covers several aspects of Tech Support and Training, flexibility and the ability to prioritise (and reprioritise!) is a key skill to have in order to ensure all tasks are completed.
What does support or inclusion in the workplace look like to you?
I haven’t been in a job before where so much support has been offered – there’s no gatekeeping of knowledge here, everyone is more than happy to share information and we’re all learning every day – from our newest member of Tech Support (our lovely Hannah) to our longest serving. The whole team in the office – and our northern trainers and Training Manager who WFH as well as being on the road – are happy to both answer questions and ask for help when needed, regardless of their position in the department.
What advice would you give someone stepping into your role?
I’m able to pass on knowledge directly, helping both our staff and KAD+ partner companies learn how to create LE2 licences in order to support both Tech Support and external customers. If someone were to step into my role, I’d advise them to enjoy the company and ask all the questions they needed to – they wouldn’t be short of help.