West Midlands Fire Service announce new Chief Fire Officer

The fire service said that 'in a strong field of candidates' the Warwickshire fire officer impressed the team with his knowledge and experience of the fire and rescue sector and his strong ability to drive change and instil a common purpose among the staff.

Talking about gaining the new role, Chief Fire Officer Ben Brook said: "I am so grateful to Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service, who put their trust in me firstly as Assistant Chief Fire Officer and then as Chief Fire Officer. I leave with a gracious and heavy heart. 

"My experiences at both Warwickshire and West Midlands Fire Services have shaped how I lead people and protect communities. We share the mission of protecting and saving lives, and our firefighters take that exceptional duty seriously and compassionately.

"There will be much to do: while this is familiar territory, a lot has changed, but I feel with the staff, facilities and aspirations we have, we can continue to contribute as a crucial part of our West Midlands communities."

The new Chief Fire Officer was identified as the successful candidate by the Appointments, Standards and Appeal Committee, with his name being taken to the West Midlands Fire and Rescue Authority (WMFRA) meeting on Monday, November 25.

Councillor Rizwan Jalil, chair of the WMFRA Appointments, Standards and Appeals Committee, said: "We were enormously impressed with the strong field of six candidates we interviewed for this position, and we are grateful to Gatenby Sanderson for their support and expertise. 

WMFS continues to attract excellent applications and the committee was given a great deal to consider through the presentations and interviews of all candidates.

"However, Ben proved in each instance his experience, candour and enthusiasm for the job, so while ultimately this was a difficult decision given the strength of the field of applicants, we are confident that Ben is the ideal person to continue to drive WMFS forward."

Ben started his career as a Firefighter in the West Midlands in 2001, going on to progress through the service through various roles, including Area Manager for Response and Interim ACFO with responsibility for culture.

The announcement comes following the tragic death of former Chief Fire Officer Wayne Brown, who was sadly found dead on January 24, 2024, and the axing of interim Chief Fire Officer Oliver Lee, who was let go from the role on October 14. 

Oliver Lee announced his resignation at a meeting held in October, before subsequently un-resigning, only to be sacked by the service hours later.