Fire officer Johnston named SFJ Awards trustee in UK appointment
Iain Hoey
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Former Lancashire fire officer joins SFJ Awards board of trustees
SFJ Awards has appointed Professor Justin Johnston to its board of trustees, the organisation said.
The awarding organisation works extensively across fire and rescue services and is nationally recognised and regulated, according to the company.
Professor Johnston previously served as Chief Fire Officer at Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service and as Vice Chair of the National Fire Chiefs Council.
He will hold the trustee role alongside a visiting professorship at the University of Chester.
The organisation confirmed the board is chaired by Erika Bannerman, Managing Director at NHS Shared Business Services.
Board composition and sector links confirmed
SFJ Awards said the trustee group also includes Dr Allison Jones of AEJ Education Consulting, Arvind Malhotra of FutureSense Group and Keith Fraser of the Youth Justice Board for England and Wales.
The organisation described Professor Johnston as a Queen’s Fire Medal recipient.
The company positioned the appointment within its work on qualifications and apprenticeship standards for the fire and rescue workforce.
It stated that the role adds local and national leadership experience to its governance.
Leadership perspective on qualifications and standards
David Higham, Managing Director at SFJ Awards, said: “Justin is a fantastic addition to our board of trustees.”
“He brings a wealth of experience in fire and rescue services having worked in a series of leadership roles at a local and national level.”
“Importantly, he shares our vision and commitment toward the professionalisation of the modern fire and rescue services workforce through the design and delivery of robust qualifications and apprenticeships standards.”
“I think I speak on behalf of everyone at SFJ Awards and our parent organisation The Workforce Development Trust in saying that we are delighted to have him onboard.”
Professor Justin Johnston said: “SFJ Awards plays a vital role in supporting the development of the fire and rescue services workforce as the leading awarding organisation for the sector.”
“Their work to improve skills and qualifications to support the workforce is at the heart of providing high quality and sustainable frontline services.”
“It’s an honour to be a part of the SFJ Awards family and I look forward to supporting David and the team.”
What the appointment tells the sector
The announcement confirms SFJ Awards’ board now includes former senior operational leadership from a UK fire and rescue service.
It also links the awarding organisation’s governance to current academic engagement through a visiting professorship.
The organisation framed the change within its focus on qualification design and apprenticeship standards for the workforce.
Why this matters for leaders and training managers
Chief fire officers and senior officers can note that SFJ Awards has added experience from local and national service leadership to its trustee board.
Training officers and instructors may see continuity between governance and programme design, as the organisation highlighted qualifications and apprenticeship standards as priorities.
Procurement officers responsible for funded training routes can take account of board membership that includes sector leadership and public service management backgrounds.
Standards and certification bodies tracking awarding organisation governance will see the appointment alongside a board chaired by an NHS public service executive.
Facility managers commissioning staff development may encounter programmes guided by trustees with operational service and education expertise.