After more than four years as London’s Fire Commissioner, Sir Ken Knight has left the London Fire Brigade to take up a new post as the government’s new Chief Fire and Rescue Adviser.
After more than four years as London’s Fire Commissioner, Sir Ken Knight has left the London Fire Brigade to take up a new post as the government’s new Chief Fire and Rescue Adviser.
Knighted during his time as Commissioner, the appointment marks the pinnacle of achievement of almost 41 years in the fire and rescue service.
Since his appointment in July 2003, Sir Ken has been at the helm of London Fire Brigade during a period of considerable change and success.
Over the last four years, the Brigade has seen the lowest number of fire calls and the lowest number of serious deliberate fires per 10,000 population compared to England’s other major cities.
There has been a 20 per cent reduction in accidental deaths and a 23 per cent reduction in deaths from non-accidental fires in the home. Hoax calls have also been dramatically reduced by 30 per cent – ten per cent higher than the government target.
Sir Ken said: “It has been a tremendous privilege to end my fire service career as London’s Commissioner and to work with so many dedicated and professional people. London has one of the most efficient fire and rescue services in the world and I am immensely proud of our efforts in recent years to increase the safety of those who live, visit and work in the capital. Whilst it is with sadness that I will be leaving I am also looking forward to the challenge of my new role.”
As the government’s new Chief Fire and Rescue Adviser Sir Ken will be responsible for advising ministers and senior civil servants on fire and rescue issues including the national response to catastrophic disasters.
Note to editors:
• Born in Croydon, Sir Ken started his career in 1966 as a firefighter in Surrey.
• He later became Assistant Chief Officer in London, Deputy Chief Officer in Devon and the Chief Fire Officer of Dorset and West Midlands Fire Services before returning to London as Commissioner in 2003.
• Sir Ken was knighted in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in June 2006. He was awarded the Queens Fire Service Medal for distinguished service in 1991, a CBE (2001) and the Order of St John in 2005. Sir Ken has also been appointed one of Her Majesty’s Deputy Lieutenants of Greater London.
• Earlier this year, Sir Ken was named as the United States Metropolitan Fire Chief of the Year, the first recipient outside of the United States to be recognised in this way.
• On 1 October, Sir Ken took on the role of the government's new Chief Fire and Rescue Adviser. He is responsible for advising ministers and senior civil servants on fire and rescue issues including the national response to catastrophic disasters
Members of the media can obtain further information from the press office on:
telephone number: 020 8536 5922
email: press@london-fire.gov.uk
