Judges

Peter Aldridge

National Association of Healthcare Fire Officers

Peter is the Secretary to the National Association of Healthcare Fire Officers; this role involves working in partnership with many organisations including National fire Chiefs Council, the Dept of Health, NHSE, the Fire Protection Association, Institution of Fire Engineers, Institute of Health Estates Engineering Management and others.

Dr Tom Brookes, MSc PhD FIET

Fire and Security Association (FSA)

Chairman of the FSA (Fire & Security Association), a specialist group within the ECA (Electrical Contractors Association).
With over 30 years of experience in fire systems, Tom Brookes is also the Managing Director of multi-award winning ZZEUS TRAINING and Lindum Fire Services Ltd.

Alan Daniels

Industry Committee for Emergency Lighting (ICEL)

Alan has worked in the emergency lighting industry for over 40 years and has experience in product and general management, as well as design and technical roles. 

Jamie Davis

Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE)

Jamie is the founder and Co-CEO of the PartB Group. Originally a practical mechanical engineer in the aviation industry, he is an experienced fire engineer with over 21 years’ experience within the fire industry.

George Edwardes

Fire Protection Association (FPA)

George joined the FPA in 2014 with experience as a research and development engineer. During his time with the organisation he has held a multitude of roles focused around managing fire tests and providing consultancy, including as Laboratory Manager, Project Manager, and Technical Consultant.

Richard Fogelman

National Security Inspectorate (NSI)

Richard Fogelman became Chief Executive of NSI in March 2023. Prior to joining NSI Richard spent almost a decade as CEO of a leading national charity supporting bereaved young people. He has a law degree and over 15 years’ management experience having worked in London’s financial markets at numerous banks and financial firms.

Darrell Gilmour

Skills for Security

Darrell Gilmour is the Director of Technical Training at Skills for Security, where he spearheads efforts to advance the expertise of future professionals in the fire and security industry. With a background as a Fire and Security Engineer, Darrell specialises in Fire & Life Safety Systems, Access Control, Intruder Alarm Systems, and IP/Network Video Surveillance.

Louise Halton

Fire Door Inspection Scheme (FDIS)

Louise Halton joined the Fire Door Inspection Scheme (FDIS) in August 2019, as the Scheme Manager. Her responsibilities include managing all aspects of the Fire Door Inspection Scheme, from the day to day running of the business, to the reviewing and development of the existing scheme.

Matt Hogan

The Emergency Planning Society

Matt is Deputy Head of the London Resilience Unit, where he is responsible for the secretariat function of the London Resilience Forum, leading governance and strategy across London’s resilience partnership of 184 organisations.

Jules King

Women in the Fire Service UK (WFS)

Jules is the Chair of Women in the Fire Service UK (WFS) and worked for East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service (ESFRS) for 30 years completing her career as the Assistant Director for People Services

She has been involved with WFS for over 20 years and attended the very first ‘Networking Women in the Fire Service’ conference in 1996.

Stewart Langdown

Industry Committee for Emergency Lighting (ICEL)

Stewart Langdown is a seasoned professional in the lighting industry, renowned for his exceptional contributions and expertise in lighting control. With more than 30 years of experience, he has established himself as a leading figure in this field.

Dr Justin Maltby-Smith CEng FIET CMgr FCMI

British Approvals for Fire Excellence (BAFE)

Justin Maltby-Smith joined the BAFE Fire Safety Register as Group Managing Director in January 2022. Prior to this appointment Justin had an esteemed career in the electrotechnical sector holding senior positions within leading certification bodies, NAPIT and Certsure/NICEIC.

Steve McGuirk

Fire Sector Federation (FSF)

Steve had a distinguished forty-year career in the Fire and Rescue Service, leading three different Services over a seventeen-year period as a chief fire officer, before retiring as the Chief Fire Officer of Greater Manchester in 2015.

Ian Moore

Fire Industry Association (FIA)

Ian is currently the Chief Executive Officer of the Fire Industry Association (FIA). The FIA, with over 1,100+ member companies, is a not-for-profit trade association with the aim of promoting the professional status of the UK fire safety industry; all of its members hold 3rd party accreditation.

Mark Palmer

Fire & Rescue Services Association (FRSA)

Mark Palmer FRSA President / Watch Manager Devon & Somerset FRS
Joined Devon Fire Brigade 16th December 1985 as a retained Firefighter. August 2011 following several temporary roles achieved a full-time training role at the joint fire service training centre in Bristol. August 2014 returning to Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue (DSFRS) as a quality assurance of training and accreditation officer.

Ali Perry

British Automatic Fire Sprinkler Association (BAFSA)

Ali runs his own consultancy, is the Chief Executive of BAFSA and member of the Industry Competence Committee. Prior to establishing his consultancy in 2023 Ali served for 29 years in the Fire Service, retiring in January 2023 as the Deputy Assistant Chief Officer for Prevention and Protection with responsibility for Fire engineering, Fire Investigation, Fire Safety Enforcement and Community Safety Engagement across Scotland.

Ruth Ripley

Security Industry Federation (SIF)

Ruth is a dedicated security professional with a passion for promoting gender diversity and inclusivity in the industry. With a background in teaching Religious Education, Ethics, and Philosophy, Ruth began her career in education before transitioning to security. She has served as the UK Event Security Manager for the Walt Disney Company on behalf of Wilson James and is currently making significant contributions as the Event Security Contract Manager for the Southbank Centre on behalf of Carlisle Support Services

Keith Strugnell

Security Systems and Alarms Inspection Board (SSAIB)

Keith Strugnell joined SSAIB in January 2004 as an auditor for security systems. He expanded his role to include auditing fire schemes and became the scheme manager for Fire Systems. With over 36 years of experience in the fire and security industry.

David White

Institute of Fire Safety Managers (IFSM)

David White is a renowned fire safety professional who has spent over three decades in the industry. He is a former president and current chairman of the Institute of Fire Safety Managers (IFSM), one of the most prestigious and respected organisations in the field of fire safety.