The Advisory Panel was established following the Independent Culture Review to support the Brigade's commitment to creating and maintaining a safe, inclusive and professional workplace culture for all staff.
The panel provides independent support, challenge and assurance on the Brigade's work to improve workplace culture, helping to ensure that progress is sustained and that our people are valued, respected and able to thrive at work.
How the Advisory Panel works
The panel acts as an independent 'critical friend' to the Brigade, providing constructive challenge, feedback and external perspective on our approach to organisational culture, leadership and staff experience.
The panel works alongside the London Fire Commissioner and senior leaders. It brings together expertise from a range of sectors and backgrounds to review progress, offer advice, identify risks and provide assurance on the Brigade's ongoing culture improvement activity.
Through its work, the panel supports the Brigade's ambition to be a trusted, inclusive and high-performing organisation that is equipped to serve and protect London.
The panel currently operates under its existing terms of reference and membership arrangements until November 2027, subject to review. The Chair and panel members have agreed to continue in their roles during this period. The panel meets three times a year, typically in February, June and October.
Who’s on the Advisory Panel
The panel's membership reflects a broad range of expertise and experience from across public service, local government, the fire and rescue sector, staff representative bodies and London's diverse communities.
Membership includes representatives from:
- His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS)
- National Fire Chiefs Council
- Local Government Association
- Greater London Authority
- London Borough Councils
- Community representatives, including the Chair of the LFB Community Forum
- Members of the Brigade's representative bodies (trade unions)
The independent Chair
Martin Forde KC serves as the independent Chair of the Advisory Panel.
Martin is a barrister specialising in health law. He has held a number of senior public appointments, including Judicial Appointments Commissioner, independent adviser to the Windrush Compensation Scheme and Assistant Justice of the Supreme Court of Bermuda.
His extensive experience in governance, oversight and equality-related matters supports the panel in providing independent challenge and assurance to the Brigade.
