Fire Sector Federation appoints new chair

The Fire Sector Federation has appointed Michael Harper as its chair following an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) held on September 19. The appointment is part of a wider restructuring of the Federation which involves senior level changes to help the organisation meet increasing future demands.

Changes to the Federation’s structure include the appointment of a Board to manage the affairs, governance, communications and management of the activities undertaken by the Federation workstreams. Vice chairman Dennis Davis has been appointed as executive officer to take responsibilities for day-to-day matters.

Commenting on his appointment, Michael Harper stated: “I am pleased to have been appointed as chair of the Fire Sector Federation at what is a significant time for the fire sector, where the Grenfell Tower fire has rightly initiated an inquiry and reviews which will have far reaching effects for the fire sector.

“It is the intention of my board colleagues and myself that the Fire Sector Federation is efficient, effective and communicates well internally and externally to the investigatory bodies. To that end we have been encouraged by the support of key members of the Federation who are supporting the high workload.

“We will be working with all our members and external contacts to ensure the effective delivery of the informed views of the fire sector at this important time.”

Vice chair, Dennis Davis, welcomed Mr Harper’s appointment: “Michael’s appointment as an independent non-executive chair brings fresh expertise to the Federation, which will help as it restructures and improve its response to growing demands.

“Michael has a wealth of operational and corporate experience, following an extensive career in corporate business and as a Board member within a range of engineering and aviation businesses. I am sure his involvement will be invaluable in evolving the Federation at this crucial time.”

Michael has served as chairman of Ricardo, Vitec Group, and BBA Aviation, having previously been its CEO. He was senior independent director of Catlin Group. He was a director of Williams and CEO of Kidde.

He is a non-executive director of The Aerospace Technology Institute and Qinetiq. He is also a liveryman of the Firefighters Company and was master in 2012.

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