The Home Office has appointed an independent advisor on fire policy – the first role of its kind.

Roy Wilsher started his role as Expert Advisor on Fire & Rescue Service Reform on 12th April. He will provide support to the Home Office’s Fire Strategy and Reform Unit in developing a White Paper on Fire Reform.

He will offer valuable operational insight and work with stakeholders on the upcoming White Paper on fire reform. He will also help the Home Office to respond to findings from an imminent consultation on the White Paper.

Roy is coming into this role having served as the first ever Chair of the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) and under his leadership has driven improvement and development throughout the UK’s Fire and Rescue Services.

Fire Minister Lord Greenhalgh said: “I’m very pleased that I will be joining forces with Roy in our ground-breaking work on fire reform.

“Roy’s operational experience and independent insight will be invaluable in helping us develop the White Paper on Fire Reform, with his long career in the Fire and Rescue Service informing his day-to-day duties.”

Roy Wilsher, Expert Advisor on Fire and Rescue Service Reform, said: “The Fire and Rescue Service is a great institution with fantastic people who serve their communities.

“I have spent my whole working life in that service and I am really pleased to be asked to assist with the government’s reform agenda to ensure the Fire and Rescue Service adds even more value in future.”

Roy began his career when he joined the London Fire Brigade as a firefighter in 1981 and rose to the rank of Assistant Commissioner for Community Fire Safety. He later became the Chief Executive for the Hertfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner.

Prior to becoming NFCC Chair, Roy was Chief Fire Officer for Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, where he represented Fire and Rescue in a range of government and sector forums and was the first line of advice to Ministers during major incidents.

The White Paper on Fire Reform will set the direction for English Fire and Rescue Services in three areas: professionalism, people and governance.

It will seek to deliver a set of reforms to ensure Fire and Rescue Services operate effectively and efficiently, put the public first and meet the needs of the communities they serve, whilst adapting to societal changes.