As Paxton marks 40 years, CEO Adam Stroud reflects on milestones, innovation, and how simplicity, scalability and user experience continue to shape global security
As access control and building security continue to evolve in response to new technologies, legislation, and global demand, few companies have demonstrated the same level of consistency, innovation, and commitment to simplicity as Paxton. Founded in 1985 and headquartered in Brighton, UK, Paxton has grown from a small engineering outfit into a trusted global provider of access control and door entry systems. This year marks the company’s 40th anniversary, a milestone that not only reflects longevity in a competitive market but also underscores Paxton’s ability to adapt, innovate, and lead.
At the helm of this journey is Adam Stroud, CEO of Paxton, who has overseen the company’s expansion from its UK roots to operations in over 60 countries worldwide. Paxton’s reputation has been built on delivering solutions that are both powerful and practical, technologies such as Net2, Paxton10, PaxLock, and its suite of mobile applications have become cornerstones for installers and end users alike. With a focus on reliability and ease of use, the company has continually aimed to balance advanced functionality with intuitive design, ensuring security is accessible without unnecessary complexity.
Looking ahead, Paxton is positioning itself to play an even more significant role in the future of security. From enhancing cloud-based offerings and strengthening its global presence, with new headquarters in the United States and a dedicated team in the Middle East, to supporting compliance with legislation such as Martyn’s Law, Paxton’s priorities reflect a forward-thinking strategy.
In this interview, Stroud reflects on the company’s defining milestones, its response to emerging industry trends, and the innovation pipeline that will drive Paxton into its fifth decade. He also shares insights into the company’s philosophy: providing secure, scalable solutions that remain firmly grounded in simplicity.
Please introduce yourself and give us a brief insight into Paxton.
I’m Adam Stroud, CEO of Paxton. We design and manufacture access control and door entry solutions that are simple, reliable, and practical for installers and end users. From the very start, our aim has been to combine innovation with ease of use, creating systems that help people feel secure while keeping management straightforward. Behind everything we do is a dedicated team of engineers, developers, and support staff who ensure our solutions are scalable, trusted, and built to meet real-world challenges.
Paxton is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, what do you feel have been the defining milestones in the company’s journey so far?
Over the years, several moments have defined our path. Early innovations set our reputation for practical, reliable access control, and from there it was about building systems that genuinely meet customers’ needs. Key product developments from Net2 and Entry, to Paxton10 and PaxLock, as well as our suite of mobile apps, have allowed us to offer flexible, scalable solutions that keep installers and end users in mind.
Also, expanding internationally — growing from Brighton to over 60 countries — taught us the importance of listening, adapting, and supporting local teams. Establishing our U.S. headquarters in Greenville, South Carolina, in 2025 was another major milestone, bringing us closer to customers and strengthening our presence in a key market. Alongside this, our ongoing investment in engineering, development and manufacturing has ensured we can continue innovating and responding quickly to industry changes.
Looking ahead, what strategic priorities will shape Paxton’s next chapter in the global security market?
Our strategy centres on delivering practical, installer-friendly solutions that meet the evolving needs of our customers. We’re committed to enhancing our cloud-based offerings, ensuring they provide real value without unnecessary complexity. Additionally, our recent investments, like the new U.S. headquarters in Greenville, South Carolina, and our new team in the Middle East, reflect our dedication to expanding our global presence and better serving our partners and customers worldwide.
How is Paxton responding to emerging trends in access control and building security, particularly around cloud, unification and integration?
The industry is moving quickly towards cloud solutions, and installers want systems that are flexible, simple to deploy, and easy to manage remotely. At the same time, there’s a growing need for unification, access control that integrates smoothly with video, alarm systems, and building management. Our approach is to create solutions that combine all these capabilities while staying intuitive and reliable. It’s about giving customers more control without adding complexity…
