An Interview with Riz Omar: Newly Appointed CEO of Locate Global
This Q&A press release highlights Riz Omar’s achievements, his vision for the future, and his professional style, positioning Locate Global as a forward-thinking company with strong leadership at the helm.
This Q&A press release highlights Riz Omar’s achievements, his vision for the future, and his professional style, positioning Locate Global as a forward-thinking company with strong leadership at the helm.
Q1: Congratulations on your promotion to CEO, Riz! Can you share with us what this new role means to you?
Riz Omar: Thank you! This promotion is both an honour and a significant responsibility. As CEO, my vision for Locate Global is to redefine what safety means in a fast-moving, and increasingly interconnected world. I want to explore how can we use advanced safety tech, AI and Machine Learning to enhance security and empower organisations to operate more resiliently. I’m excited to work closely with our brilliant team to continue delivering innovation, while investigating new avenues for growth. I want to explore how we can leverage and integrate our security expertise across the Priavo group to enhance people’s safety.
Q2: You’ve been with the Priavo Security Group for over 8 years now. How does your role at Locate Global fit into the overall strategy?
Riz Omar: Pete (Group CEO) and Celine (Group MD) onboarded me in 2016 at Priavo Security to head up Global Security Operations. It became clear our Journey Management offering needed to evolve. The world was changing; organisations were increasingly looking at ways to keep employees safe. Our corporate clients were concerned with day-to-day safety, visibility and duty of care for employees. I
recognised technology would play an increasingly important role in building our corporate offering. Consequently, in 2018 Locate Global was born. And by 2020 Locate Global was trading as a separate Limited company. It has been an incredibly rewarding journey. Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to work on a variety of projects that have positively affected people’s safety.
Q3: Can you expand on that, what are some of the milestones that have shaped your journey?
Riz Omar: My key professional milestone has to be leading the development of our platform in 2020. I worked closely with our dev team to scale up from a tracking app for travellers, into a platform that allows organisations to manage critical incidents, mass communications and response. The timing worked unbelievably well in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, enabling businesses to enhance collaborative communication with remote workers. My personal milestone includes successfully embedding our solution within the home health market in the USA. Our platform ensures remote healthcare workers have panic devices, with direct access to communication and response. These experiences have given me a deep understanding of our strategic operation and the challenges we face, which will be invaluable in my new role as CEO.
Q4: As CEO, what are your top priorities for the next year?
Riz Omar: In short, with Locate I have always been committed to setting a new standard in safety technology, empowering organisations worldwide to operate with confidence and resilience. My top priority is to advance smart safety solutions that enhance real-time visibility, proactive incident management, and seamless communication. I will also work closely with our MD to enhance operational efficiency, drive strategic growth initiatives, and strengthen our market position by expanding our product offering. I plan to focus on leveraging technology to streamline processes and build stronger partnerships with key stakeholders.
Q5: How do you see the industry evolving in the next few years, and how is Locate Global preparing for these changes?
Riz Omar: The location-based service industry is evolving rapidly, with advancements in technology and increasing demand for more precise and reliable solutions. We’re seeing trends like the rise of AI and machine learning, increased focus on data security and greater integration of IoT. At Locate Global, we’re preparing for these changes by investing in R&D, exploring new technologies and enhancing our data security measures. Our goal is to stay ahead of the curve and continue providing innovative solutions that meet the needs of our clients in this dynamic security climate.
Q6: What motivates you in your work, and how do you inspire your team to achieve their best?
Riz Omar: I’m motivated by the opportunity to make a tangible impact on the business and to see our team succeed. I believe in leading by example and furthering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement. I encourage my team to take ownership of their work, to be proactive in solving problems, and to always look for ways to innovate. When everyone is aligned with the company’s vision and motivated to contribute their best, great things happen. This is an embedded culture within the wider Priavo Security Group, something driven very much by Pete, Celine and myself.
Q7: What can Locate Global’s clients and partners expect with you at the helm as CEO?
Riz Omar: Our clients and partners can expect a continued commitment to safety and security excellence in everything we do. I’m dedicated to ensuring we deliver on our promises and that our technical infrastructure operates as efficiently as possible. They can expect our team to be proactive in anticipating security needs and to continue innovating to provide the best possible solutions. My goal is to ensure that Locate Global remains a trusted partner for all our stakeholders. I onboarded Raph Poult in January this year to head up our Partnership Programme, supporting the development and expansion of our distribution and technology partnerships. The programme is already benefitting our client base with cross-functional collaboration across our new partners.
Q8: Lastly, what advice would you give to young professionals aspiring to take on leadership roles in their careers?
Riz Omar: My advice would be to stay curious, be adaptable, and always be willing to learn. Leadership is not just about having the right answers; it’s about asking the right questions and being open to new ideas. Don’t be afraid to take risks and step out of your comfort zone—some of the most valuable lessons come from challenges and failures. Lastly, build strong relationships and always strive to lead with integrity and empathy. These qualities will serve you well as you advance in your career.
Like what you have read? If youd like to know more reach our team at info@locate.global or call us on +44 (0) 20 7315 4221.
For media enquiries please contact:
Samuel Ackland-Jones | Senior Comms Strategist – sam.ackland-jones@priavosecurity.com.