Biography
Steve had a distinguished first career as a chief fire officer and CEO in the Fire and Rescue Service – joining at the age of 16 and leaving in 2015.
He served in a number of fire and rescue organisations and dealt with many difficult, tragic and complex crises, as well as leading Greater Manchester’s city-wide resilience arrangements.
Steve was one of the UK’s youngest and longest-serving fire chiefs. He was a board member of the Chief Fire Officers’ Association (CFOA) and was elected president from 2006-2008. He was a principal adviser to the Local Government Association as well as the National Employers Organisation, liaising with government ministers and officials, and providing evidence to a number of select committee and public account enquiries.
Steve was awarded the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal in 1996, the Queen’s Fire Service Medal in 2002, and a CBE in 2005. He was made a fellow of the Institution of Fire Engineers in 2010 and Deputy Lieutenant of Greater Manchester in 2012.
Steve is currently chairman of Warrington and Halton Hospitals’ Foundation Trust, is on the board of the National Leadership Centres, and is a trustee of the Fire Research and Training Trust. He is also acting as an expert witness to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry.
Twitter: @WHHFTChair
