London Fire Brigade leader marks final roll call ahead of transition to Building Safety Regulator post

London Fire Brigade Deputy Commissioner marks retirement after nearly 30 years

Deputy Commissioner Charlie Pugsley has retired from London Fire Brigade (LFB) after nearly 30 years of service.

His final roll call took place at Dowgate Fire Station on Thursday 25 September.

Pugsley will begin a new role as Interim Chief Executive Officer of the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) next month.

He said: “I’m fortunate to join the Building Safety Regulator and take on this role, where I hope to continue my passion for building safety, working with great people and remembering the duty we owe to those who lost their lives at the Grenfell Tower fire.”

Career spanned major incidents and investigations

Pugsley joined LFB in February 1996, serving at Bow, Shoreditch, Stratford and Peckham before moving to the Fire Investigation team at New Cross and later Dowgate.

He became Fire Investigation Manager in 2005 and led enquiries into many of London’s most complex incidents.

He was the on-site forensic fire investigation lead in the aftermath of the Grenfell Tower fire.

Among other cases, he directed the investigation into the 2015 Kingsway tunnel fire, which was fuelled by a ruptured gas main.

He also attended Storm Eunice, the 2022 wildfires in London and a boat fire in Greenwich involving exploding cylinders.

Pugsley said: “It was a disused minesweeper moored on a central London creek, converted into a floating living and work art space.

“Thankfully, no one was seriously injured, but it was certainly one of the most challenging incidents I’ve encountered as a firefighter.

“The incident really encapsulates the job – all sorts of things can crop up at any given moment in the emergency services.

“You don’t live an ‘ordinary life’ in this role.”

Contributions to fire safety reform

Pugsley served as LFB’s Director of Prevention, Protection and Operational Policy.

He was also the National Fire Chiefs Council’s lead officer for Electrical Safety and Fire Investigation.

He led LFB’s #Chargesafe campaign, created in response to rising e-bike and e-scooter fires in London.

He explained: “Our #Chargesafe campaign, launched in response to a surge in serious fires involving e-bikes and e-scooters, has been a true team effort across the Brigade.

“Since 2017, I’ve also been able to work with a range of excellent and inspirational fire safety professionals, fire engineers and experts across different sectors, all seeking to reduce the fire safety risks in buildings.

“This has also involved working with communities and residents most affected by serious fire safety issues, many of whom have faced real challenges on a daily basis.”

Earlier in his career, Pugsley contributed to regulatory reform on electrical fuse boards after a five-fold increase in fires between 2009 and 2014.

He reflected: “Time and again, I’ve witnessed staff bravery, empathy, and an unwavering commitment to keeping communities safe.

“Being part of the London Fire Brigade family for nearly 30 years has been a privilege.

“There have been highs and lows but serving the emergency services for London, it truly is the best job in the world.

“You finish a shift knowing you’ve made a difference and helped people. That’s the very best in job satisfaction.”

Colleagues pay tribute to outgoing leader

London Fire Commissioner Jonathan Smith praised Pugsley’s career.

Smith said: “Charlie is the consummate professional.

“His expertise has shaped the Brigade’s work across Fire Investigation, Prevention and Protection, and most recently in his leadership role as Deputy Commissioner.

“He’s deeply respected, and while we’ll miss him, we know he’ll thrive in his new position.

“We wish him every success.”

Relevance for fire and safety professionals

Pugsley’s transition from LFB to the BSR highlights the link between frontline fire investigation and regulatory reform.

For fire safety officers and building engineers, his work demonstrates how incident evidence can drive changes to product and construction standards.

His involvement in campaigns targeting lithium battery risks in e-bikes and e-scooters is of direct relevance to electrical engineers, compliance officers and facility managers in urban environments.

The regulatory shift requiring non-combustible fuse boards illustrates the influence of data-led advocacy on material safety rules, which remains important for system installers and contractors.

His role at the BSR indicates that future building regulations will continue to be informed by operational fire service experience.

London Fire Brigade Deputy Commissioner retires after nearly three decades of service: Summary

Deputy Commissioner Charlie Pugsley retired from London Fire Brigade on Thursday 25 September 2025 after nearly 30 years of service.

He will take up a new post as Interim Chief Executive Officer of the Building Safety Regulator in October.

Pugsley joined the Brigade in February 1996 and served at Bow, Shoreditch, Stratford and Peckham fire stations before specialising in fire investigation.

He was the on-site forensic lead following the Grenfell Tower fire and led investigations into the 2015 Kingsway tunnel fire, Storm Eunice and the 2022 wildfires in London.

Pugsley spearheaded the #Chargesafe campaign on e-bike and e-scooter battery fires and contributed to regulatory reforms on fuse board materials.

London Fire Commissioner Jonathan Smith praised his professionalism and said his leadership would be missed by the Brigade.

This article contains information from the following source[s]: London Fire Brigade