Gerard Figols has taken on a new challenge as Chief Operating Officer (COO) at i-PRO. In his LinkedIn announcement, Figols highlighted his ambition to drive global growth, enhance product and service quality, and strengthen strategic partnerships while keeping i-PRO at the forefront of technological advancement.
While Figols steps into this key leadership position, Masato Nakao remains CEO, ensuring continuity in the company’s vision and strategy.
Figols has played a crucial role in shaping i-PRO’s evolution. Before stepping into the COO position, he led i-PRO EMEA B.V. as President, where he was instrumental in refining the company’s strategic direction and driving innovation within the security industry. His leadership has always been marked by agility, openness, and a strong commitment to customer-centric innovation.
When Benchmark visited i-PRO in Japan in November 2024, Figols was Chief Product Officer (CPO), a role he had taken on just months earlier in May. Now, in another swift and well-earned move, he has risen to COO. His rapid ascent within i-PRO highlights not only his expertise but also the confidence the company places in his leadership.
In his new role, Figols plans to streamline global operations, accelerate innovation cycles, and strengthen i-PRO’s market position. A key focus will be expanding strategic partnerships and the system integrator network—both essential to i-PRO’s business growth.
Strategic Initiatives and Achievements
Under Figols’ leadership, i-PRO has embraced a philosophy of openness and collaboration. The company has shifted from a vertically integrated approach to a more flexible, horizontal and open model, focusing on its core strength in hardware manufacturing while forging strong partnerships with leading analytics and platform providers.
As COO, Gerard Figols is set to lead i-PRO into its next phase of growth. His focus on refining product and service quality, driving forward-thinking innovation, and strengthening key partnerships aligns seamlessly with i-PRO’s mission to support professionals who protect and save lives. With Figols at the helm alongside Nakao’s continued leadership as CEO, i-PRO is well-positioned to expand its global influence and reinforce its reputation as a trusted next-generation partner in security and sensing technology.