SSAIB founder David Hinge dies

Very sadly we must report that David Hinge, who founded SSAIB and became its first Chief Executive, died on 17th November. David’s role preceded the merger of AISC, Integrity 2000 and SSAIB in early-2001, which created an enlarged and unified SSAIB, laying the foundations for its subsequent growth into the UK and Ireland’s leading fire, security and telecare certification body.

David had a 37-year career in the security industry, becoming firstly a surveyor after responding to an advert in his local Newcastle newspaper back in the early ’60s. As he recalled in his final article for SSAIB News before retiring in 1998, there were only around six installers operating in the north-east of England at that time. The company David joined had only started a year before and had 85 alarms on its books. But just over 11 years later, when David left to become chief surveyor with another north-east business, it had grown that figure to some 10,000.

Born in 1932, David Hinge was a warm and colourful character, reflecting his previous background in the theatre – his father owned a chain of cinemas and theatres including the Grand Theatre at Byker in Newcastle, where David was a young house manager when it finally closed. After five years in the Fleet Air Arm he subsequently spent three years in a touring repertory company before going into theatre management, and later had a theatre museum in the Edwardian Handyside Arcade, Newcastle, which he subsidised through sales of his own surrealist paintings.

SSAIB owes David a considerable debt of gratitude for all of the hard work he put into developing the organisation. Our staff will miss him and we extend our condolences to his wife Wendy and family, as well as all of his friends and colleagues.


If you knew David and would like to leave a tribute to him on this website, please feel free to use the comments box below or email your tribute to the editor ([email protected]).

About Security Buyer

Security Buyer is the leading authority in global security content, delivering expert news, in-depth articles, exclusive interviews, and industry insights across print, digital, and event platforms. Published 10 times a year, the magazine is a trusted resource for professionals seeking updates and analysis on the latest developments in the security sector.

To submit an article, or for sponsorship opportunities, please contact our team below.

Rebecca Spayne picture 2025

Rebecca Spayne

Managing
EDITOR

Georgina Turner image

Georgina Turner

Sales
Manager

Afua Akoto image - Security Buyer

Afua Akoto

Marketing Manager

Read the Latest Issue

Follow us on X

Follow us on X

Click Here

Follow us on LinkedIn

Follow us on LinkedIn

Click Here

Advertise here

Reach decision makers and amplify your marketing

Advertise here

Click Here

Related News

Alex Carmichael

Big interview – Alex Carmichael

Security Buyer talks exclusively to Alex Carmichael, Chief Executive, SSAIB, to find out the ins and outs of certification in the

BAFE Fire Safety Register bolster “Don’t Just Specify, Verify” Campaign

BAFE continue to stress the importance of verifying appropriate UKAS accredited third-party certification with growing industry support.

Engineers of Tomorrow and WorldSkills UK winners announced for 2021

Meet the security and fire protection apprentice winners of the WorldSkills UK and Engineers of Tomorrow 2021.

Survey launched to assess demand for a fire and security apprenticeship

There have been developments in the Fire and Security Industries. Hence, the increase demand for fire and security apprenticeship.

SSAIB Firms Encouraged to Enter the Fire and Security Matters Awards

Deadline of entries for Fire and Security Matters Awards is extended until 11 February 2022. SSAIB are encouraged to join.
Body worn video

Police forces’ body-worn video achieves Surveillance Camera Code of Practice

SSAIB announces that two police forces have introduced body-worn video (BWV) technology in accordance with the Surveillance Camera Code of Practice

SSAIB’s leading role in police forces’ pioneering drones deployment

SSAIB, the UK and Ireland’s leading security and fire certification body, has helped two police forces in their use of drones for crime-related objectives.
Scroll to Top