New Board of Directors and IGA leaders unveiled by IFE

Hayley Burgess CMIOSH C.BuildE MCABE OSHCR MSc BSc (Hons) MIFireE and Shephard Ndlovu MSc BSc (Hons) FHEA SIIRSM FIFireE are the newest Trustees, with Trent Fearnley PGDip FireE Dip Fire and Rescue GIFireE being re-elected to remain on the Board.

The new Board of Directors comprises Mark Chubb MPP CFPS FCMI MIoD FIFireE (chairman), Steve Hamm MSc BEng (Hons) CEng FIFireE (CEO), Dr Peter Wilkinson CSci MIScT CEng FIFireE (technical director), Peter Holland CBE QFSM FIFireE (Life) (vice-chairman), Chris Bilby GIFireE, Trent Fearnley PGDip FireE Dip Fire and Rescue GIFireE, James Lane BEng (Hons) CEng FIFireE, Chris Lowther, Hayley Burgess CMIOSH C.BuildE MCABE OSHCR BSc (Hons) MSc MIFireE, Andrew Sharrad GradCert EngTech CFIFireE (international president), Hao-giang Tay BSc (Hons) MSc FIFireE and Shephard Ndlovu MSc BSc (Hons) FHEA SIIRSM FIFireE.

Following the AGM, the first meeting of the new Board was held. Mark Chubb MPP CFPS FCMI MIoD FIFireE was appointed as the new chairman, with Grant Lupton AFSM B.GS CPMgr FAIM CFIFireE retiring from the Board.

The IFE has commented: “We thank Grant for everything that he has done for our Institution having played key roles as our international president and chairman on two occasions. Grant brought extensive experience to these roles and we wish him all the best with his retirement.”

On taking up the role of chairman, Mark Chubb commented: “I wish to acknowledge the support of the Institution’s Board of Directors in electing me to serve as their chair. Grant Lupton set a high bar for others to follow. Indeed, I’m deeply indebted to him, vice-chair Peter Holland, international president Andrew Sharrad and immediate past international president Bruce Varner for their mentorship. I look forward to repaying everyone’s confidence through my service as this great Institution’s chair in 2022.”

International president update

The IFE is delighted to announce that Andrew Sharrad GradCert EngTech CFIFireE will be continuing his role as international president of the organisation for another year.

Sharrad stated: “I’m delighted that I will be continuing my role as international president. Despite the varying restrictions in place throughout the past year, I have been honoured to attend IFE events on a virtual basis. While travel restrictions still apply to Australia, it’s my hope that 2022 will allow me to visit some of our many branches and promote the great work that the IFE has been continuing to transact over this past and somewhat difficult year due to the restrictions imposed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

International General Assembly

The final two appointments following the AGM focus on leaders for the IFE’s International General Assembly (IGA).

Ed Claridge BSc (Hons) ME(Fire) MSFPE CMEngNZ CPEng MIFireE, who’s currently the president of the IFE’s New Zealand Branch and a member of the Technical Strategic Advisory Group, has been appointed as the new IGA leader. Claridge has already stated that his intention as leader is to continue to support the “ambitious agendas” with which the IGA has been actively engaged.

In addition, Jacob Derrick IEng C.Build E MCABE MIFSM MIET MIFireE from the Southern Branch has been appointed as the IGA’s vice-leader.