Former BAFE CEO receives prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award

Prior to joining BAFE, Adams forged a hugely successful career in the security world having fulfilled senior roles at the British Security Association and with Thorn Fire and Security, in addition to serving as managing director of a security printing company.

Spanning over 12 years, Adams’ tenure at BAFE saw the organisation become fully independent as it moved away from FETA and the BFPSA (now the Fire Industry Association). Since 2009, his work with the BAFE team evolved the organisation’s role within the industry from equipment approvals towards a strong focus on competency, duly ensuring that fire safety organisations have quality routes to demonstrate their capabilities when it comes to delivering work for multiple disciplines within the sector.

Competence of the industry

Commenting on the accolade, Adams stated: “I’m deeply grateful to receive this award. What’s interesting about the life safety industry is that, while very much appreciated, recognition is not necessarily important. What’s important is that the work being performed in the fire safety field is transacted properly to keep people and society safe. This is what the core focus of our efforts should be. In short, to constantly improve upon the competence of the industry and the registered organisations and stakeholders who support this aim.”

Adams continued: “Given my previous role at BAFE, I remain a huge advocate of third party certification within the fire safety sector and will continue to stress this in any future roles. I’m immensely proud of the BAFE team that I cultivated with my colleagues and trust that its constituents will continue to deliver a quality impact across the industry.”

Justin Maltby-Smith, managing director of BAFE who collected the award on Stephen Adams’ behalf, explained: “It was great to see Stephen acknowledged for his considerable efforts and dedication to both the security and fire sectors. What’s pertinent to stress is the level of respect that friends and former colleagues, including myself, have for Stephen. This also applies to the BAFE team, who hold a very strong admiration for him. He left big shoes to fill when I took on the role of managing director earlier this year. From the BAFE team and myself, we extend our sincerest congratulations to Stephen.”

Unanimous choice

Mark Sennett, CEO of Western Business Media and founder of the Fire & Security Matters Awards, noted: “Stephen Adams was a unanimous choice by the Judging Panel to be the inaugural winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award due to his decades of service to both the fire and security sectors. He has tirelessly championed third party certification and dedicated his career to the betterment of two vitally important sectors. There couldn’t have been a more deserving winner.”

BAFE also extends its congratulations to Mark Sennett, Brian Sims BA (Hons) Hon FSyI (Editor of Fire Safety Matters and Security Matters) and the team at Western Business Media for establishing the Fire & Security Matters Awards. Alongside many other respected parties, BAFE is proud to support the Fire & Security Matters Awards, which are “designed to honour and recognise industry professionals and teams from both the security and fire sectors who work so diligently to keep people and property safe.”

The BAFE team wishes Stephen Adams well and is honoured that he has received this highly prestigious award in recognition of his respected career.