History & Team
Martin Smith
CEO of Firewatch, co- founded Firewatch South West Ltd in 1998, with just 4 employees, originally just servicing and supplying fire extinguishers and fire products.
Martin, with his wife Jill, carried out an MBO in June of 1999 and the business has not looked back since. Firewatch is still very much a family run oriented business, with many family members of both directors and employees working in the business
Martin trained in the hospitality business in his home county of Leicestershire, he moved to Devon in 1979. His long-held values of customer service, value for money and quality of product is promoted throughout the company.
Martin's hobbies are enjoying his four grandchildren, supporting his hometown football club Leicester City FC, playing golf (badly) and poker.He is an enthusiastic member of the Rotary Club of Newton Abbot and a supporter of a number of local charities.
1998
The picture shows Martin with the original, Firewatch team of 1998, two of which still work in the business - third from the left is Jan Lloyd , who is now the main fire door installer for Brunel Maintenance and farthest right is Graham Wyatt, who has trained to become an accomplished fire alarm engineer
2004
The Firewatch extinguisher team of 2004 of which 4 of the 5 technicians are still with us. Jan Lloyd far left, Graham Wyatt, Steve Stubbs in the centre our Plymouth technician and Frankie Dunn second from right is our Cornwall technician.
The company has grown to 45 employees and developed the skills and expertise to offer many other fire protection services and products, as well as becoming a leader in the supply and maintenance of fire extinguishers and fire alarms.
Firewatch was the first fire-protection company in Great Britain to gain approval for both of the BAFE schemes in the maintenance of fire extinguishers and fire alarms.
With over 2,500 customers based throughout the South West of England and South Wales, it has also recently expanded into the Midlands, ranging from small corner shops to major blue chip clients who all receive the Firewatch renowned quality of service.
Antony ‘Max’ Willey
Managing Director of Firewatch SW Ltd , joined Martin as Sales Director in 1999. A proud Cornishman, he moved to Devon in 1995, previously working as a colleague with Martin at Chubb Fire and Torex Hire in the late 80’s and mid 90’s.
Max has an extensive knowledge of the fire industry, calling on over 30 year’s experience, still very much hands on, advising clients in best practice for fire safety. Max’s wife Alison is a member of the administration team, he is an active member in the community and enjoys his two dogs and travelling around the UK in his motorhome. A keen football fan, both local football and his longstanding support of Leeds United FC.
Kevin Smith
Financial Director of Firewatch SW Ltd , joined Martin & Max in 2002 originally as office manager he was also a colleague when working as branch manager at Torex Hire.
Kevin is responsible for the administration office and IT requirements of the company as well as overseeing the subsidiary companies.
A keen family man and reluctant golfer he and his wife Julie enjoy walking and socialising with their friends. Kevin a season ticket holder with Exeter City FC and qualified referee , was for many years involved with children’s football, jointly setting up one of the largest amateur clubs in Exeter.
Royston Blunt
Group Sales Manager joined the company in 2000 originally as a fire extinguisher technician and has been regularly promoted over the years, taking control and expanding the successful fire training division.
His main role is growing company sales but still oversees the Fire Extinguisher Division and Brunel Maintenance a division of Firewatch.
Royston is a family man with five children and enjoys his free time with them and his wife Lisa, originally from the West Midlands , he has lived in Devon for over 15 years.
Simon Molloy
Area Sales Manager, joined originally as a fire extinguisher technician in 2003 and has managed the fire training division for the last three years.
As a major accounts manager, he ensures that our clients have regular contact and that all their requirements are fulfilled.
Simon is very busy in his spare time, training and showing his Alaskan Malamute dogs, he can be found most Sundays (very early) running his dogs over Dartmoor.
Jon Limer
Fire Alarm Manager, joined the company as alarm service supervisor from a national company and has been involved in many prestigious projects including Canary Wharf and Pinewood Studios. Jon has an extensive knowledge in designing and commissioning both wireless and fixed wire fire systems.
Jon lives with his wife and son in North Devon; living close to the sea he is able to enjoy his hobby of surfing.
Paul Robinson
Alarm Service Supervisor works closely with Paul Booth Installation Supervisor assisting Jon Limer in the very busy fire alarm division.
Paul Robinson schedules the service & minor repairs work and gives the six alarm engineers the benefit of his knowledge of all types of fire alarm systems. The recent addition of new contracts in the Midlands is made easier as Paul previously worked in the area for a national company.
Paul is very much an ‘outdoor man’ and has participated in many extreme sports, often in the company of his two sons, but now settles for the more mundane sea kayaking!
Paul Booth as installation supervisor has project managed most of the large installations that Firewatch has undertaken, a hard taskmaster he takes pride in the quality of the work his team of installation engineers carry out.
