Our People

Rob Appleyard Founder - Director

Rob is the founder and managing director of Lazer Safe. Rob directs all areas of the company including marketing, sales, financial management, research and development, production management and human resource management.

As a long serving member of the European CEN/TC, ANSI B11.3 and ISO/TC 39/SC 10/WG 1 standards committees, Rob is highly regarded by the global press brake community as a leading expert in the fields of press brake safety and safety standards.

Away from the office Rob is a license holder with the FIA CAMS motor racing body and competes on the track in both Formula Ford and Formula 1000 Championships. He also has a long association with yacht racing and currently competes in one-design-keel boat racing. His passion for competition racing and performance vehicles fuels his relentless pursuit in developing products and technology that achieve the highest level of performance for Lazer Safe customers.

Rob first established the World Citizen concept as a pathway for Lazer Safe to contribute to underprivileged communities around the world. This is an initiative that has led to the creation of the Lazer Safe Foundation which in turn, has aided in the financial sustainability and support of underprivileged communities.

Ian Costley CA CEO

Ian is co-founder and director at Lazer Safe. His general role is a combination of marketing, sales, finance management, research and development, production management and human resource management. Ian initially held a non-executive role before taking a full-time position in 2006. Ian has been the key driver of fund sourcing and structural changes at Lazer Safe since the company’s inception.

In 2016, Ian investigated the initial opportunities for community advancement in Zambia. This has since been embraced as part of the company’s World Citizen culture and has been transformed into the Lazer Safe Foundation.

Away from the office, Ian is a keen surf-ski paddler who participates in training and racing at local surf club events as well as marathon paddling events.

Paul Sertis Customer Solutions Manager

Paul joined Lazer Safe in 1999. His current role encompasses marketing, OEM and retrofit sales, product concept development, product support, and management of international retrofit dealers and distributors. Paul also participates in the development of machine safety standards as a member of the ISO/TC 39 SC 10 WG1 standards committee.

Paul Gould Hardware Engineering Team Leader

Since joining Lazer Safe in 2002, Paul has led the design and manufacture of safety controllers, advanced optical protection systems, image processing systems, and safe wireless communications. Paul has been instrumental to the overall quality and success of the company’s products and continues to innovate new technologies with his extensive knowledge of cutting-edge electronics and optical systems.

John Barnett Customer Solutions Senior Engineer

John joined Lazer Safe in 2003 and manages direct product integration and support with the company’s key OEM customers. John also plays an integral role in the R&D team in ensuring customer hardware and software requirements are developed and implemented.

Nina Waltman Financial Controller

Nina joined Lazer Safe in 2023 following our acquisition by Halma plc, bringing a wealth of expertise and a strategic mindset to our financial operations. Nina plays a pivotal role in steering the fiscal direction of Lazer Safe within the Halma family. Her dedication to precision and financial acumen ensures the continued success and stability of our financial endeavours. We are fortunate to have Nina as an integral part of our team, contributing significantly to the growth and financial well-being of Lazer Safe.