Meet the team
Paul Beet Managing Director
Paul has worked in the security industry since 1996. Previously he was a member of the Armed Forces, serving in the 2nd Battalion Parachute Regiment for 9 years.
After leaving the forces Paul carried out a CCTV apprenticeship for 2 years with a leading security company. He then gained experience through the Installation Department & was promoted into the Project Management team. In 2001 Paul was subsequently promoted to run two National Accounts for blue chip companies with a combined turnover in excess of £2.5 million.
In May 2006 Paul left his previous role as National Account Manager & joined Astra Communications as Managing Director and Co-Owner. He is committed to delivering the highest level of customer satisfaction. He is also dedicated in finding new opportunities for the development of Astra for its long term success.
Paul lives in the Bristol area with wife Michelle and daughter Grace. He is a keen sportsman and coaches rugby at a junior & senior level.
Steve Bird Operations Director
Steve started work within the Security Industry in 1994 as Senior Installation Engineer for a National CCTV Company based in Bristol. During 1997 he was promoted to Senior Project Manager over-seeing all major Blue Chip project installations within the Commercial, Retail and Industrial sectors. Over the following 4 years he gained a wealth of technical, design and product knowledge in CCTV, Access Control and EAS systems. In 2001, Steve gained promotion to National Accounts Manager, managing accounts for a large number of well known High Street Retail Outlets nationwide with a combined turnover of £2 million.
Today, Steve is Operations Director and Co-Owner of Astra Communications Limited and committed to the long term development of the business in both Sales and Customer Care. He is also heavily involved in securing national security accreditations with “NSI” and “Safe Contractor” to continue the future success of the Company.
Steve lives locally with wife Kelly and is a keen golfer.
Tracy Martin Office Manager
Tracy has worked in the electrical industry for the past 15 years and spent the last 7 working as a Supervisor in the Service Department of a National CCTV security company.
Tracy joined Astra in 2006 as Office Manager when they relocated to their new premises in Yate and has been instrumental in carrying forward the company ethos of “putting customers first” by increasing staffing levels in line with Astras business needs.
Tracy will continue to work closely with Paul and Steve in the growth of Astra Communications and its long term success.
Tracy lives in South Gloucestershire and enjoys socialising and sport.She has two children, Daniel and Jessica.
Barry Granger Service Manager
Barry has spent the last 16 years in the Service Industry and in 1998 he joined a National CCTV Company who’s annual turnover was in excess of £8 million, working as a Service Manager. The client base included several high street blue chip companies.
Barry joined Astra in June 2007 to manage and support the growing Service Department.
Barry, a family man, married to Denise, with two children, is a keen sportsman, who coaches a local semi professional football team, and is a holder of the U.E.F.A. ‘B’ Coaching License, currently studying ‘A’ License.
Scot Bratcher Senior Project Engineer
Scot has worked in the security industry for the past 14 years. He trained as an electrician and following completion of his apprenticeship moved to a local CCTV company carrying out installation and service work within the South West.
Scot progressed his career by moving to a major national CCTV company in 1998 and took on the role of Service Engineer Supervisor, carrying out service work for many blue chip companies and supporting the team of in-house engineers.
The opportunity arose to join Astra in January 2007, as a Senior Project Engineer, providing support to clients and Astra’s field based engineers throughout the UK. Since joining, the company has grown and there is now a great team in place to ensure clients’ needs are met.
Katrina George Procurement
Katrina started her working career as a trainee for a well known High Street department store. During this time she achieved a Diploma in business and finance and showed a keen interest in procurement.
Katrina joined a large insurance group and was the first point of contact for customers, financial advisers and sales staff. She carried out various administration roles and supported others within her department.
Katrina joined Astra in January 2007 as an Administrator. She is at the forefront for customers phoning into the office and carries out various administrative and procurement tasks within the company.
She is keen to see the successful growth of the Astra team and to see herself grow within the company.
Helen Bird Accounts Administrator
Helen has worked within the accounts environment since leaving school. She worked for a large finance company for many years prior to joining Astra in 2006.
Helen is the primary contact for purchase creditors and is at the forefront of the day to day running of the Accounts Department.
Helen is an important part of the Astra team and offers valuable support to internal staff, suppliers and customers.