OFR Consultants, a prominent fire engineering practice, has expanded its leadership by appointing four longstanding colleagues to its board of directors.

The company has welcomed Stewart Dabin, Dr Danny Hopkin, Jack Wilshaw, and Richard Rankin to join the existing board members, Andy Passingham and Ryan McCreadie.

These appointments are part of a broader initiative by OFR Consultants to bolster its team and fuel its growth strategy.

New board members bring a wealth of experience

The newly appointed directors bring a diverse range of expertise to the board. Stewart Dabin, based in London, has been instrumental in leading the Residential sector since joining the business in 2018.

Jack Wilshaw, also from London, has been a key figure in promoting best practices and managing significant accounts since his arrival in 2019.

Richard Rankin has led the Manchester office for five years, focusing on residential, healthcare, and education sector projects.

Dr Danny Hopkin, on board since 2017, has played a pivotal role in developing OFR’s technical capabilities and driving research initiatives.

Lucy Kirkup, HR director at OFR, remarked on the appointments: “We are proud to announce these changes – a move which underscores our commitment to promoting from within and celebrating the incredible people who make up our OFR team.

“Each new board member is impassioned and dedicated to our mission of creating safer and more sustainable new structures across the built environment, and we look forward to working together in this new era for OFR.”

Growth through nurturing talent

The announcement of the new directors follows a series of appointments at OFR, showcasing the firm’s commitment to attracting and nurturing talent.

Sarah Black has been appointed as principal engineer, with a group of new graduates also joining the ranks.

Kirkup said: “Our graduate programme is an annual initiative which ensures that we attract the best fire engineering talent.

“We nurture our colleagues at every stage, fostering their growth and empowering them to excel in their field.

“We provide a well-defined career path that ensures their success, whether that’s our graduates or our board members.”

OFR’s expansion to a team of over 120 colleagues is reflective of its consistent growth and its role in delivering high-quality, technically driven fire safety solutions globally.

Founded in Manchester in 2016, the firm has since opened multiple offices across the UK.

The company also celebrated Sam Bryant’s research award from the Society of Fire Protection Engineers this month, highlighting OFR’s dedication to contributing valuable research to the fire engineering sector.

IFSJ Comment

The strategic expansion of OFR Consultants’ board with seasoned professionals from within the firm demonstrates a significant consolidation of expertise in the fire engineering field.

By promoting internal talent to leadership positions, OFR not only reinforces its operational stability but also emphasises its commitment to internal career development and technical excellence.

These appointments, along with the infusion of new engineering talent, signal a positive trajectory for the firm’s influence on fire safety measures in the built environment.

The bolstering of OFR’s workforce also indicates a robust demand for specialised fire engineering solutions, underscoring the industry’s critical role in ensuring the safety and sustainability of infrastructure worldwide.