The news marks a major step forward in ensuring consistent standards, professional recognition and accessibility for both fire risk assessors and building safety managers across the UK.

The NFRAR is purpose-designed to provide building safety professionals, duty holders and the broader community with the necessary confidence in selecting qualified fire risk assessors who meet today’s enhanced standards. Through this initiative, the IFSM continues to champion fire safety, competency and professional integrity across the industry.

The new website’s features include a redesigned and intuitive directory of registered fire risk assessors, enhanced customisation for individual profiles, digital membership cards with QR codes linking directly to each fire risk assessor’s verified online profile, downloadable certificates and access to the NFRAR’s logo.

Fee structure

At the Foundation level, the application fee is £45, with the annual fee set at the same cost. For the Intermediate level, the application fee is £750, the annual fee is £70 and the review fee (biennial) is £450. The application fee for the Advanced level is £400, while the annual fee is set at £80.

The full policy document is now available on the new website, along with detailed guidance on migration arrangements for existing registrants and instructions on how non-registrants can apply.

Registrants will need to update their password before logging into the new site, while any existing automatic/recurring subscription payments will no longer work.

Collaboration and Best Practice

The IFSM was formed in the mid-1990s to provide a dedicated platform for fire safety professionals to collaborate, share knowledge and promote Best Practice. Over the years, the Institute has grown into a globally recognised body, representing individuals and organisations alike who are committed to advancing fire safety and protecting lives and property.

The IFSM is a hub for education, training and professional development, offering members access to invaluable resources and networking opportunities. The organisation actively promotes competency and integrity within the fire safety profession, striving to raise industry standards and influence policy at both the national and international levels.

*Further information concerning the NFRAR is available online at www.nfrar.co.uk

FBU general secretary Steve Wright commented: “Like all public sector workers, firefighters have waited years for a Budget that starts to turn the page on austerity. Although there are steps in the right direction, significant gaps remain that must be addressed if our public services are to be rebuilt.”

Wright continued: “The increase in the statutory minimum wage is welcome and will help many low-paid workers. However, we had hoped to see more action to boost pay across the board, reflecting Labour Party Conference policy and the reality of the cost of living scenario.”

Further, Wright noted: “Without meaningful action on taxing extreme wealth, this Budget does not yet provide secure and long-term investment or break with austerity. The Fire and Rescue Service will continue to face huge pressure and the risk of further cuts, including fire station closures, cuts to firefighter numbers and continued real-terms pay cuts for firefighters.”

In conclusion, Wright observed: “As an affiliated Trade Union, we will continue to work with the Labour Government. Under my leadership, we will stand firm in pressing for the investment our Fire and Rescue Service urgently requires in order to keep our communities safe.”

Comment from the NFCC

Also responding to the Budget Statement made by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) chair Phil Garrigan commented: “In a year of major Government spending decisions, the NFCC has been clear: Fire and Rescue must not become the forgotten Emergency Service. Recent announcements suggest we may see the first real-terms increase to fire funding in more than a decade, which is a welcome step forward, but it doesn’ reverse the long-term impact of years of cuts.”

Garrigan went on to state: “The Autumn Budget didn’t reference Fire and Rescue, but our focus remains unchanged. We will continue to highlight the need for sustained investment so that Fire and Rescue Services can meet rising demand. Fire and Rescue Services are attending significantly more incidents than they were ten years ago, despite a substantial fall in firefighter numbers and an ageing estate shaped by the loss of around £1 billion in capital funding.”

According to Garrigan, the announcement on funding reforms was an encouraging start. “We look forward to further clarity and continued progress. The risk landscape is evolving rapidly. Our Fire and Rescue Services are on the front line of climate-related emergencies, advancing energy technologies and an expanded regulatory role in building safety. We are ready to meet these challenges, but doing so requires modern and well-resourced services.”

In closing his observation, Garrigan said: “Fire and Rescue is the foundation of our national resilience. It’s essential that investment keeps pace with the demands we face.”

Funding front line response

Organisations including Greenpeace, Tax Justice UK, Friends of the Earth, Tipping Point UK and Global Justice Now have warned the Government that “the UK is dangerously under-prepared for the growing threat of wildfires, flooding and the wider impacts of the climate crisis”.

In a letter to the Chancellor and Environment Secretary Ed Miliband, the organisations jointly state: “We are asking you to make substantial and long-term investment in the UK’s Fire and Rescue Service.”

The Fire and Rescue Service has lost one-IN-five firefighter jobs since 2010. Meanwhile, this year was the worst year on record for wildfires, surpassing the record-breaking summer of 2022. Days with a ‘very high’ risk of wildfire are set to triple by 2050.

The letter cites the Holt Heath wildfire this summer. No fewer than 17 Fire and Rescue Services had to be called in from as far away as Merseyside, while many firefighters lacked specialist wildfire PPE.

The signatories to the letter are calling for:

*significant new central Government funding for the Fire and Rescue Service to ensure sufficient firefighters, emergency fire Control Room staff and specialist resources to meet wildfire and flooding risks

*a statutory duty for Fire and Rescue Services in England to respond to flooding, consistent with the arrangements that already exist in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales

*a UK-wide wildfire resilience strategy, developed with the FBU and other stakeholders, in order to ensure consistent standards for planning, training and response

New data shared with consumer safety charity Electrical Safety First by Biffa (the UK’s largest waste management company) reveals that more than 840,000 vapes were found at four of the latter’s waste sites (ie Teesside, Walsall, Ipswich and North London) between June and September this year. That’s an average of more than 7,000 every day.

The latest figures have resulted in a warning being issued by both organisations in relation to the horrors posed by ‘zombie batteries’ in vapes. Those batteries can explode in bin lorries and waste centre sites, putting workers at serious risk, damaging equipment, disrupting services and causing environmental harm.

Further statistics supplied to Electrical Safety First by Biffa show that ‘zombie batteries’ have so far caused more than 180 fires across the company’s UK estate since June alone.

New video footage of a recent incident shows a Biffa waste lorry emptying its smouldering contents on to the road as a fire caused by a battery erupts. Vapes contain lithium-ion batteries. If punctured, crushed or damaged, these batteries can initiate a process called thermal runaway, reaching dangerously high temperatures and causing ferocious fires.

Since the disposable vape ban came into force this summer, Biffa has seen an increase in all types of vapes across those four major sites, with almost 20,000 more vapes found at these sites in August and September when compared to June and July.

Experts warn that this sharp rise could lead to a frightening increase in fires, putting both workers and waste centre sites at risk.

Ferocious fires

Giuseppe Capanna, product safety engineer at Electrical Safety First, explained: “Incorrectly disposing of a vape in the general household waste or recycling can have very real and frightening consequences for waste collection workers who are just trying to do their job. Vapes contain lithium-ion batteries. If these batteries are thrown away incorrectly, they risk coming back to life in gruesome fashion by exploding and causing ferocious fires that put workers at risk.”

Capanna added: “Every individual household can help turn the tide on this issue one action at a time. We urge all households to stop and think. Don’t bin the battery.”

Luke Walter, the manager of Biffa’s Aldridge materials recovery facility in Walsall, experienced first-hand the devastation these fires can cause after an incorrectly disposed of vape with a lithium-ion battery exploded. The blaze put the site out of action for six months, landing Biffa with a repair and rebuild bill that ran into millions of pounds.

“The fire here in January was particularly devastating,” affirmed Walter. “The most important thing is that everyone went home safe and well but, understandably, the immediate concern was job security.”

Walter concluded: “The site is now fully operational again. While we remain extremely vigilant about fire risks, the danger will persist as long as batteries – lithium-ion or alkaline – hidden in small electrical devices such as vapes continue to be placed in general waste and recycling bins.”

*Further information is available online at www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk

A lively panel session informed by new research from the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) debated the need for more targeted information about the Building Regulations, stronger enforcement and sector-specific training to overcome the barriers to compliance reported by the SMEs and micro-businesses that comprise 99% of the construction sector and its related professions.

Rachel Davidson (BESA’s director of specialist knowledge) informed the attendees at London’s Olympia that 88% of the industry’s professionals are aware of the Building Safety Act, but most SMEs find the legislation to be “overwhelming and daunting” and feel “left behind”. Davidson asserted: “This is critical because those companies are the lifeblood of the industry. There are also many people who still think the legislation only applies to higher-risk buildings.”

The BESA’s second annual survey of the sector’s response to the legislation also shows that many clients are carrying on with ‘business as usual’, meaning that they continue to prioritise cost and speed over safety. “A lot of this comes back to leadership and culture,” suggested Davidson. “78% of companies tell us that this is important to them, but fewer than half report having taken enough action.”

Enforcement of the legislation

Davidson stated that building engineering contractors are increasingly calling for clear and consistent enforcement of the legislation. “Unless there are consequences, clients will continue to think compliance is optional.”

Davidson added that the BESA is delivering more guidance to help firms see “what good looks like” in their sector. “It’s also important to reassure people that they don’t need to know or understand everything about the Building Safety Act. Rather, they should focus on the parts they can control and their specific roles and responsibilities.”

Fellow panellist Hannah Carpenter from the Building Safety Wiki said the communication challenge is enormous due to the size and diversity of a sector that employs 2.6 million individuals. Carpenter said the message would need to go beyond compliance to address behaviour and encourage people to take pride in their work.

“We need to be innovative about how we communicate and appeal to personal values because that’s going to be more effective than continually talking about regulation,” outlined Carpenter. “Making sure that 2.6 million people pull in the same direction is a huge challenge. We need to ask why we are doing this [which is] to keep people safe and make sure the Grenfell tragedy cannot happen again. That means talking about ‘purpose’. People should want to make a difference. This cannot be about ticking boxes.”

Carpenter called for greater use of “non-traditional communication routes” and partnering with organisations like His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs, where there are strong connections to individuals and small construction businesses.

Signs of progress

According to Hertfordshire Building Control’s CEO Gary Cass, there were definite signs of progress at the top of companies, but imparting the message about improving behaviour and doing the right thing further down the work chain will take longer.

On planning, Cass said the new team running the Building Safety Regulator has already made rapid progress on reducing the backlog at Gateway 2 for higher-risk buildings with the average time for a submission now taking 17 weeks. The timescale was at a high of 38 weeks earlier this year.

Cass said the Building Safety Regulator had been “very honest” about its failings and was now moving in a more positive direction, but the success of its mission will rely on closer collaboration with the industry.

“The industry needs more education about the Building Regulations,” noted Cass. “People need to be looking at compliance and focus on what’s required in the regulations, not guidance. Building Control officers are regulators first and foremost, but industry practitioners used to rely on them to guide them through the process. Now, the industry needs to be educated [about how the new process works].”

Cass added that enforcement could be conducted “in a positive way” and should not just be about taking legal action. However, the number of Building Control officers has plummeted, leaving the industry with a serious resource problem, including a significant shortage of experienced building inspectors.

*Further information is available online at www.thebesa.com

76% of all decisions (ie 206) across all Gateway 2 categories during October related to London cases, making it 409 decisions since August in the capital.   

A further 40 historic applications submitted under the previous model were closed between 31 August and 24 November, with 20 of these recent decisions relating to London-based cases.  

A minimum of nine further applications have now also been assessed as ready for the recently enhanced ‘approval with requirements’ route, subject to final checks and agreement from the applicants. 

The majority of the remaining 54 previous model applications are projected to follow by the New Year.

Direct engagement  

The Building Safety Regulator’s operational team’s direct engagement with applicants and regulatory partners, along with its ongoing plan to address individual ‘blockers’, continues to see cases closed at a significant rate.

The regulator is also continuing to implement the new batching process launched in September. This new pilot process scales capacity by bundling applications to specialised engineering services suppliers for accelerated assessment.  

To date, mixed-category bundles covering 217 new build and remediation cases have been successfully dispatched, with a continued weekly dispatch based on supplier capacity.  

The Building Safety Regulator is also now developing a focused plan to extend the lessons recently learned to its remediation cases in the New Year.

Innovation Unit

The recently established Innovation Unit, itself a dedicated team of registered building inspectors and technical engineers, is currently managing 73 live new build applications. The Innovation Unit is demonstrating progress in processing times with rapid validation and rejection of incomplete applications, which then enables applicants to quickly address issues and re-submit.

The early cohort of applications are now being expedited to resolve outstanding technical issues. First approvals are expected during December.  

Charlie Pugsley, CEO of the Building Safety Regulator, explained: “The immediate and positive results we saw from our pilot operational changes have established a strong foundation for continued success. We are on track to continue to clear the majority of historic cases by the end of December by engaging with applicants and our regulatory partners, seeing the benefits of our new batching system, and building upon the initial hard work of the Innovation Unit.”

Pugsley continued: “Across the Building Safety Regulator, there is a confidence that projected milestones remain achievable, but rightly we remain cautiously optimistic. We are fully committed to supporting the pace of essential construction, while upholding the essential safety standards that keep people safe in new and also existing homes.”

*Building Control Approval application data to 24 November 2025

**Building Control Approval application data: Making Buildings Safer 

The UK’s construction sector is undergoing a significant transformation driven by the Building Safety Act 2022, the findings of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry and a growing emphasis on compliance, traceability and competence. With the introduction of the Building Safety Regulator’s Gateway programme and extended liability under the Defective Premises Act, stakeholders across industry are under increasing pressure to demonstrate that every component and product used in construction meets rigorous fire safety standards.

Recognising the urgent need for reliable data and impartial testing, the FPA, UL Solutions and PartB have joined forces to offer a robust solution.

The FPA will provide a secure and confidential environment for fire safety tests to be undertaken for clients of UL Solutions and PartB through its independent fire testing laboratory. The independence of the FPA means that tests will be carried out in an impartial manner, at arm’s length from the client, as well as ensuring Intellectual Property and proprietary data are protected.

The initiative is a direct response to the challenges highlighted in the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 report, which called for impartial testing to restore trust in the sector and empower stakeholders to make informed decisions, reduce remediation costs and demonstrate a commitment to Best Practice.

Critical gap

FPA CEO Dr Gavin Dunn said: “This new collaboration addresses a critical gap in the construction sector: the need to test and certify the fire performance not just of individual products, but increasingly the interfaces and combinations of systems that often present the greatest fire safety risks. Leveraging the FPA’s independent testing capabilities, UL Solutions’ certification expertise and PartB’s engineering insight offers an holistic approach to fire safety validation for the whole of the UK’s built environment sector.”

UL Solutions brings over 130 years of global expertise in testing, inspection and certification. The organisation’s work enables manufacturers to meet regulatory requirements and gain market access through trusted certification schemes. Its collaboration with the FPA allows for comprehensive testing of building products and systems, including wall assemblies, fire doors and joint systems, supporting both UKCA and CE marking requirements.

“Fire safety is a shared responsibility that demands depth of expertise across the built environment ecosystem,” explained Karine Johnfroe, vice-president and general manager of the UL Solutions Built Environment Group. “We are proud to work alongside organisations like the FPA to provide the thought leadership, guidance and solutions needed to meet evolving fire safety challenges. This collaboration enables UL Solutions to deliver our trusted and independent science-based testing rigor to help protect lives, property and communities.”

Pragmatic solutions

PartB has evolved into a leader in pragmatic fire safety solutions. The company’s approach combines real-world experience with engineering judgement, offering clients innovative and cost-effective alternatives to traditional remediation. PartB’s approach has demonstrated that compliance can be achieved through engineered solutions, often avoiding invasive and expensive fixes, while maintaining safety integrity.

Jamie Davis, chief technical officer at the PartB Group, commented: “We are proud to announce the publication of the White Paper entitled Testing Times: A Solutions-Focused Collaboration for UK Fire Testing. It marks significant progress in enhancing collaboration to ensure proper testing and compliance measures. By sharing these insights, we aim to promote safer building environments and strengthen our commitment to innovation and technical excellence in fire risk mitigation in a proportionate and responsible manner.”

As the built environment continues to innovate and adapt to new regulations, this new collaboration ensures that fire safety remains at the forefront. By providing reliable and independent data, the approach taken supports a safer, greener and higher-quality future for UK buildings.

*Further information is available on the FPA’s website

In a written statement delivered to the House of Commons, Samantha Dixon (Minister for Building Safety, Fire and Democracy) observed: “In June, my department announced changes to the Building Safety Regulator. Today, I’m laying before the House draft regulations which will move the functions of the Building Safety Regulator out of the Health and Safety Executive to an executive non-departmental public body sponsored by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.”

The Labour MP for Chester North and Neston continued: “This change will position the Building Safety Regulator for the coming years. It will strengthen lines of accountability and give a dedicated focus to the Building Safety Regulator’s operations. This is an important first step towards establishing a single construction regulator, which was the lead recommendation of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 report.”

Dixon concluded: “I’m grateful to the Health and Safety Executive for the leadership and experience it has brought to the establishment and early operations of the Building Safety Regulator, and for its ongoing support as this change is made.”

Annual Report

The Health and Safety Executive has run and nurtured the Building Safety Regulator for the last three years post-inception. In its new guise, the Building Safety Regulator may charge for giving advice, conducting research or providing other services.

The Building Safety Regulator must, as soon as is reasonably practicable after the end of each financial year, prepare an Annual Report in relation to how it has exercised its functions during that financial year.

On that note, the Building Safety Regulator’s financial year is each period of 12 months beginning with 1 April, but the first financial year is the period beginning 27 January 2026 and ending on 31 March 2026.

Delegation of functions

Until the end of December 2026, the Building Safety Regulator (or a committee) may delegate any of its functions to a member of staff of the Health and Safety Executive or to a member of staff of a Government department seconded or loaned to the Building Safety Regulator or the Health and Safety Executive.

Back in June (as reported by Fire Safety Matters), Andy Roe KFSM was appointed non-executive chair of a new Board of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to take on the functions of the Building Safety Regulator. Roe is supported by the new CEO for the Building Safety Regulator (namely Charlie Pugsley).

According to the NFCC, the current situation is putting the public and firefighters – as well as property and the environment – at an increasing risk.

Publishing new recommendations designed to strengthen safety across consumer products, the NFCC has called for the Government to act swiftly inm closing regulatory gaps by introducing clear and enforceable product safety rules for lithium-ion battery products, tighter controls on online sales and improved systems for the safe disposal of such batteries.

The NFCC is also urging a co-ordinated national public education campaign to highlight how lithium-ion battery misuse – such as unsafe charging or product modifications – can significantly increase fire risks.

As stated, lithium-ion batteries are increasingly used in many household appliances and items such as electric toothbrushes, tools, toys, mobile phones, tablets, laptops and in vapes. They’re also used to power e-bikes and e-scooters, as well as electric vehicles.

While these technologies are crucial for a low-carbon future, fires involving these batteries are complex, producing toxic and potentially explosive vapours, and pose a serious risk of reignition.

Public safety

Phil Garrigan, chair of the NFCC, said: “Lithium-ion batteries are now everywhere in our homes, powering the phones in our pockets, the laptops on our desks, e-scooters and the cordless appliances we use every day, but such technology must not come at the cost of public and firefighter safety.”

Garrigan continued: “The fire risks linked to these familiar products are evolving far faster than the safety standards designed to protect us. When things go wrong with lithium-ion batteries the consequences can be devastating and, tragically, lives have already been lost.”

Further, Garrigan explained: “Fire and Rescue Services are the first line of defence when these batteries fail, facing fires that are incredibly complex and dangerous to tackle. They need stronger protection, clear standards and better tools from Government and industry to continue safeguarding people and property as these batteries become more common in our homes.”

Since 2023, at least six fatalities have been linked to fires involving e-bikes and e-scooters (according to Prevention of Future Death reports), thereby highlighting gaps in public awareness and safety standards and the urgent need for stronger regulation.

More frequent

Lithium-ion battery fires are becoming more frequent, placing increasing operational and resource pressures on Fire and Rescue Services, who are usually the first to respond when these batteries ignite. Between January 2021 and September 2023, a search of free text inputs to the Government’s Incident Recording System identified 139 fire records mentioning ‘e-bike’ and 124 mentioning ‘e-scooter’. However, the Government has acknowledged that the quality and completeness of this data cannot be guaranteed. The NFCC believes the true scale of the issue to be significantly higher.

The London Fire Brigade alone attended 179 fires involving e-bikes or e-scooters in 2023, while in 2024 the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) received reports of 211 such fires, nearly half of which occurred indoors. As reporting to the OPSS is voluntary, these figures are also likely to represent an underestimate.

The Product Safety and Metrology Act 2025, which recently received Royal Assent, affords the Government new powers to make enforceable safety rules for products such as e-bikes and e-scooters, including those sold online. These rules could help reduce fire risks from lithium-ion batteries. The NFCC welcomes this move, but feels urgent action is still needed to close safety gaps and make sure these powers are used to protect people and firefighters.

In addition to the lithium-ion batteries issue, the NFCC is urging policymakers to recognise the wider fire safety risks posed by the full spectrum of emerging energy technologies. Ensuring fire safety means that regulatory frameworks must be flexible and responsive to keep up with the rapid pace of energy technology innovation.

Position statement

The NFCC’s Fire Risks in Energy Technologies position statement calls on the Government to:

*introduce mandatory product safety rules and third party testing for personal light electric vehicles

*regulate online marketplaces to ensure that all lithium-ion battery products sold in the UK meet designated safety standards

*establish a safe and accessible regime for disposing of lithium-ion batteries, including those that are damaged

*update Building Regulations guidance to reflect fire risks from storing and charging energy technologies in homes and public spaces

*ensure Fire and Rescue Service advice is considered and responded to when consulted about fire safety risks, including comments on compliance with the Fire Safety Order during Building Regulations consultations

*fund national public awareness campaigns to help people use and dispose of lithium-ion-battery-powered products on a safe basis

*invest in ongoing research to improve firefighting tactics and training for incidents involving energy technologies

*improve co-ordination across Government and regularly consult fire safety experts to support long-term risk planning

*Further information is available online at www.nfcc.org.uk

Wasim (of Lovely Lane in Whitecross, Warrington) was found guilty of breaching the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 by failing to comply with fire safety duties and ignoring a notice that prohibited the use of the premises for sleeping and living accommodation.

The two-storey, mid-terraced property housed a barber shop on the ground floor and was being used as residential accommodation on the first floor. The premises was initially flagged during a routine business safety engagement visit conducted by Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service, which led to a referral for a full fire safety inspection.

That inspection, carried out in January 2023, identified serious deficiencies, including inadequate separation between the commercial and residential areas, insufficient fire detection and alarm systems, compromised escape routes and a lack of emergency lighting.

Due to the severity of the risks, a Prohibition Notice was served, restricting the use of the first floor for sleeping and living purposes. Despite this, a follow-up visit from officers in January 2024 revealed that the Prohibition Notice had been ignored and the premises was still being used for sleeping and living purposes. Further inspections confirmed that the fire safety deficiencies identified in 2023 had also not been addressed.

Evidence of non-compliance

Evidence of non-compliance was presented to Warrington Magistrates’ Court, including photographs, officer witness statements and documentation confirming Wasim’s control of the premises.

Warrington Borough Council assisted the investigation by providing evidence confirming that Wasim had previously been informed that the premises were unsuitable for sleeping and living.

Wasim was convicted of breaching the Fire Safety Order under Article 32(2)(h) for failing to comply with a Prohibition Notice.

Kristian Clowes, Group manager for protection at Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: “Our priority is to protect people from fire risk. We always aim to work with businesses to ensure properties are safe, but when individuals ignore our warnings and legal notices, we will take action. This prosecution sends a clear message that fire safety breaches will not be tolerated.”

*Further information is available online at www.cheshirefire.gov.uk

Members of the Trade Association and their guests enjoyed insights into the organisation’s achievements, a three-course meal and post-lunch conversations.

Once again, the Annual Lunch was a sold-out success. Featuring a dynamic mix of established leaders, innovators and new members, the event provided an outstanding platform for a celebration of achievements realised across the last 12 months.

Recognising excellence

A major highlight of the day was the presentation of the FIA Awards, which are designed for celebrating individuals who exemplify professionalism, dedication and innovation in the fire industry.

The FIA Young Technician of the Year accolade was awarded to Charlie Thomas of Churches Fire & Security. Thomas’ enthusiasm, drive and eagerness to learn have not gone unnoticed. His colleagues describe him as someone with a genuine passion for his work and a bright future ahead in the sector.

The FIA’s prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Sir Ken Knight. Sir Ken began his career as a firefighter back in 1966, serving in several Fire Brigades before becoming Chief Fire Officer for Dorset and the West Midlands and, subsequently, London’s Fire Commissioner. Sir Ken’s decades of service reflect a lifelong dedication to fire safety and public protection.

It’s worth noting that, although Sir Ken became a Knight of the Realm nearly 20 years ago now, his influence and passionate involvement in the fire sector continue to this day. On that basis, there could be no more fitting recipient of this award.

Entertainment and networking

Following on from the FIA Awards, guests were treated to the sharp wit and engaging storytelling of Paul Sinha, while post-lunch networking provided further opportunities for attendees to reconnect, strengthen professional ties and share insights in a relaxed atmosphere. This part of the day is an essential element of the event, creating valuable connections that may not otherwise have been formed. Many attendees emphasise how these conversations can lead to future collaborations and partnerships and realise new ideas across the sector.

The Headline Sponsor for the 2025 event was The Fire Safety Event, while Eurotech Fire Systems sponsored the set by Paul Sinha.

Event sponsors included Aico, Ajax Systems, Apollo Fire Detectors, Consort Insurance, FirePro UK and Ireland, Illumino Ignis, Kentec Electronics, Meridian Technical Services, Nimbus, Security and Vetting Solutions, The National Safety Academy, Wagner UK and Western Business Media (the publisher of Fire Safety Matters).

*Photographs from the 2025 AGM and Annual Lunch are available to view on Flickr