South Wales Fire and Rescue launches Cardiff leadership academy

South Wales Fire and Rescue opens new training and development academy

South Wales Fire and Rescue has reported the official launch of its Operational Training, Leadership and Personal Development Academy in Cardiff Gate.

The service said the academy is intended to support leadership and personal development across all levels of the organisation, following an internal review and organisational changes over the past 18 months.

The launch event took place on 28 April 2025 and included workshops, a live demonstration and a panel discussion on leadership in the fire service.

Academy launched in context of ongoing internal reform

South Wales Fire and Rescue stated that the creation of the academy is part of the wider transformation that has followed the Fenella Morris Review.

The service explained that new personnel, operational strategies and updated ways of working have been introduced in recent months.

It added that the academy aims to give all staff access to leadership pathways and tailored training to support professional development.

Chief Fire Officer highlights operational and conceptual leadership goals

Chief Fire Officer Fin Monahan said the service already demonstrates strong leadership in emergency response situations.

Fin Monahan said: “We already have excellent leadership on the operational side, at the incident ground. I’ve seen that many times now – it’s superb.

“We also have a learning and leadership development team, that also deliver our ‘development pathways’ which are excellent.”

Fin Monahan added: “We also need to invest in conceptual thinking. The way we think, the way we fight fires and rescue people in the future to ensure we really are at the top of our game as we modernise.

“If we look back through the history of uniformed services that have been really successful as they formed or when they needed to modernise, there is a central theme.

“That theme is that they really invested in their education, training, and culture.

“I need to make sure that leaders throughout the organisation are empowered, have the knowledge and have the experience levels to be making decisions that stabilise the organisation in a much better way.

“Whether someone is a new firefighter, a watch manager, or a strategic leader, there will be a clear development pathway that supports their personal and professional growth.”

Strategic leadership role taken by experienced firefighter

South Wales Fire and Rescue said the academy will be led by Georgina Gilbert, who has served with the service for more than 26 years.

It stated that she is based at Maindee Station and has combined her operational role with work in public speaking, international expeditions and diversity advocacy.

The service explained that she co-founded the Antarctic Fire Angels, a UK-based initiative that completed a South Pole expedition in 2024 to encourage gender equality in the fire sector.

Georgina Gilbert said: “I’m a big advocate for saying yes to opportunities. And I took this as an opportunity and wanted to lead by example.

“I’ve always said you don’t need to be a rank to progress through the service and do different roles. I’m living by my conviction.”

Georgina Gilbert added: “I’m still a firefighter, and I will go back a firefighter — having done something absolutely amazing, which traditionally would have only been available to someone with more seniority.”

South Wales Fire and Rescue launches Cardiff leadership academy: Summary

South Wales Fire and Rescue has launched the Operational Training, Leadership and Personal Development Academy.

The new academy is based at Cardiff Gate.

The service said the academy is designed to provide leadership development and training for staff at all levels.

The launch follows changes introduced after the Fenella Morris Review.

The launch event took place on 28 April 2025.

The event included leadership workshops, a demonstration and a panel session.

Chief Fire Officer Fin Monahan said the academy will enhance leadership thinking alongside operational command.

Georgina Gilbert has been appointed Strategic Lead for the Academy.

She is a serving firefighter with more than 26 years of experience at South Wales Fire and Rescue.

The service said the academy will support staff in building leadership capabilities and personal development through structured training.