To get to know our first partner TIS a bit better we had a chat with CEO James Twigg. We talked about their organisation, why they chose to partner with WiRL and how they see the future of tech and AI developing in the retirement living space amongst many other things! See what James had to say below.
Tell us a bit about yourself, your organisation and how you got into the retirement living sector.
TIS is an 'independent systems integrator'! What does that mean? Well, we design, install and maintain 'life-safety' solutions for retirement villages, care homes, universities, public spaces and the Ministry of Defence no less. A life-safety system is the bringing together of the separate safety features our clients have, such as fire protection, access control, security, intruder alerts, CCTV and communications solutions – all the things that keep our clients safe We integrate them to make sure they're as optimal as possible and work smartly together to help protect people, places and spaces.
On a personal level, I'm a bit of TIS furniture nowadays, having joined 10 years ago. At the time the firm was at a critical juncture, going through a difficult period in its 70-year history. I brought along not just a recovery plan, but a vision that extended beyond getting the company back on a financial even-keel. My aim was to create a culture of togetherness, respect, and excellence. For me, if you can marry how the firm operates, its finances and a great sales strategy, whilst creating an amazing culture, then you’ve got a winning business.
I'm pleased to say that TIS has since evolved into a company thriving on innovation, teamwork, and a shared passion for excellence. I feel that this is testament to this belief in the power of people. Our people-centric approach is our bedrock, enabling us to not only meet but exceed the expectations of our customers and stakeholders.
Working hand-in-hand for over a decade with ARCO and its founding members, Audley and ExtraCare Charitable Trust, we’re fully aligned with the organisations leading the way in retirement living. This long-term collaboration has helped drive innovation, set standards, and solve some of the challenges facing the UK’s ageing population.
We're delighted that you've chosen to partner with Women in Retirement Living (WiRL) – what attracted you to us?
What are you hoping to achieve through this partnership?
At TIS, we believe in pushing the boundaries of what's possible. Our team is our greatest asset. This year, we're investing more than ever in nurturing talent, fostering a culture of inclusivity, and ensuring that every member of our team feels valued and empowered. We know that collaboration is key to our success. In 2024, we're looking to strengthen existing partnerships and forge new ones. By working together, we can achieve more than we ever could alone.
Also, the shared learning this partnership will create, will ensure, we as a combined team, are at the forefront of inclusiveness.
We're seeing a lot of expansion and change in the retirement living sector – what excites you about what we're seeing?
What do you think are the barriers to entry for women in (design and installation of) technology / the technology industry and what are you doing to help improve this?
Who has inspired you / who is your industry idol?
I’ve been inspired by several books written by Zig Ziglar, an American author, salesman and motivational speaker. Ziglar once said "You don't build a business—you build people and then people build the business."
This philosophy has served TIS well. From those who have been part of this journey since day one to those who have recently joined, every team member is a pillar of our success. We now have a vibrant community where each team member contributes to our collective success. We have a culture that champions innovation, values each contribution, and constantly pushes the boundaries of what's possible in our industry.
And finally, as we're in an election year, if you could ask the Government for two or three things to help the retirement living sector, what would you ask?
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