Executive Team
Within the constitution of the ‘Authority’, The Chief Fire Officer/Chief Executive has delegated authority and ultimate responsibility for the running of the Fire and Rescue Service in Essex.
The assist with this, the Chief Fire Officer appoints Directors (Principal Officers) who form the Service Executive Team.
Chief Fire Officer/Chief Executive
Rick Hylton
As Chief Fire Officer/Chief Executive, Rick has delegated authority and ultimate responsibility for the running of the Fire and Rescue Service in Essex. He appoints Directors who form the Service Leadership Team.
Rick says: “I am exceptionally proud to lead this great organisation alongside Moira.
“It is our role to make sure all of our colleagues flourish and provide the best possible service to the people of Essex.
“Our ambition is to be one of the best fire and rescue services in the country – it is what our communities deserve, and it is an ambition that I believe is achievable.”
Deputy Chief Fire Officer - Director of Resilience and Preparedness
Chris Else
Chris supports the Chief Fire Officer in ensuring the delivery of Service through the effective and safe discharging of organisational policy in order to meet statutory duties, supporting our core mission of making Essex safer together.
Chris' key responsibilities:
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To deputise for the CFO in their absence
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Responsible for providing arrangements that oversee and assure all aspects of delivery of service against statutory duties, national guidance, fire standards and improvement objectives
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To provide leadership and strategic oversight of major incidents and emergencies ensuring compliance with incident command protocols and post incident review, act as key liaison with external emergency services and government agencies as a member of the Principle Officers Command Team
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Responsible for risk identification. Ensuring the Service has capability to respond safely and effectively to foreseeable risk including the production and effective management of the Strategic Risk Register and Strategic Assessment of Risk
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Responsible for the identification of and planning for the Service response to all foreseeable risk, working across directorates to anticipate, prepare for and respond to risks which may materialise in the short to medium term
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To hold Service to account for the delivery of performance, ensuring it delivers improvements in efficiency, effectiveness, and value for money
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Lead Executive Officer responsible for ensuring the Service is compliant with the Health and Safety at work Act
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Responsible for effective business continuity arrangements to enable the Authority to always discharge its legal responsibilities including but not limited to - times of Industrial Action.
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Lead Executive Officer for Performance and Resource Board
Assistant Chief Fire Officer - Director of Service Delivery
James Taylor
James is responsible for providing arrangements that oversee and assure all aspects of delivery of service against statutory duties.
James' key responsibilities:
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Responsible for effectively discharging responsibilities under the Fire Safety Act 2005 including the discharging of duties under the Building Safety Regulator and subsequent changes arising from the Fire Safety Bill.
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Responsible for the effective discharging of legal, moral and ethical responsibilities to prevent harm to the public through prevention activities inc compliance with Children's Act and safeguarding aligned with objectives set within the Community Risk Management Plan
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Responsible for the safe and effective response to emergencies ensuring all operational teams are well equipped, trained and prepared to respond to all foreseeable emergencies with the aim of saving life, protecting property and safeguarding the environment
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Responsible for the development and implementation of service delivery strategies aligned with service goals and statutory requirements, contribute to long term planning to enhance capability, aligning operational resources with service the community risk management plan
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To provide leadership and strategic oversight of major incidents and emergencies ensuring compliance with incident command protocols and post incident review, act as key liaison with external emergency services and government agencies as a member of the Principle Officers Command Team
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To build strong relationships with local authorities, emergency services and community organisation, represent the service at local, regional and national forums, advocate for public safety initiatives and partnerships that enhance service delivery
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To monitor performance against key metrics and implement improvements where needed
Director of Public Affairs and Engagement (Shared role with the Office of the Police Fire and Crime Commissioner)
Emily Cheyne-Guess
Emily leads on public affairs, communications, and be responsible for the strategic leadership and shaping of communications and engagement work with our communities and other stakeholders, ensuring transparency, accountability and local visibility of Services.
Emily's key responsibilities:
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Responsible for ensuring the Service is compliant with legal duties to warn and inform the public in preparing and responding to emergencies
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Provision of clear and transparent information regarding the role and work of the PFCC and the performance of Essex County Fire and Rescue Service to the public.
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Lead on the development and implementation of an effective approach to communications and public affairs and preparedness across ECFRS and for the OPFCC.
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Support the Chief Fire Officer and PFCC in developing a clear and effective long- term vision and strategy for fire and rescue services in Essex – including leading on the development and continual review of the PFCC’s major policy documents, including the Fire and Rescue Plan.
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Provide high quality strategic advice to the CFO and PFCC in relation to corporate affairs, public policy issues and strategic communications, including liaising with Government departments, other agencies and professional organisations to ensure that the CFO and the PFCC remains up to date with and actively contributes to legislative and other national developments.
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To act as the Deputy Monitoring Officer to the PFCC and PFCCFRA and line manager to the Executive Office of the Chief Fire Officer
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Oversee the delivery of a proactive, public facing programme of strategic communications and engagement, ensuring that ECFRS and the PFCC is visible and accessible to all the diverse communities of Essex.
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To ensure information and campaigns meet the needs of our communities and “end user” working with prevention, protection and operational teams to shape local engagement work that actively supports and engages the communities we serve, including being part of the culture and community panel, and Essex Independent Advisory Groups.
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To act as principal advisor to the CFO and PFCC on matters of corporate communications, crisis communications and brand advancement
Director of People Services
Colette Black
Colette leads our people and organisational strategy, enabling a diverse competent and motivated workforce while managing best in class HR and workforce development.
Colette's key responsibilities include:
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Responsible for the Services approach to delivery of the people strategy and associated development of staff including work force planning, recruitment and succession.
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To act as the Service lead officer for employee relations undertaking the role of Chair of the Joint Negotiation and Consultative Committee
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Responsible for ensuring the safe and effective delivery of operational training, delivering a safe and competent workforce
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Responsible for the development and delivery of employee wellbeing schemes and the effective management of Occupational Health and Wellbeing Services.
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Responsible for ensuring effective people management systems are in place and the Service can demonstrate it values its employees and they are supported to achieve the highest standards
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Responsible for ensuring the effective establishment and delivery of the Services Professional Standards department.
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Responsible for organisational development, implementing training and development programs to build the skills and capabilities needed for a kind, high performing and accountable culture aligned to the priorities of the Fire and Rescue Plan and the objectives of the Community Risk Management plan.
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Line management responsibility for the Strategic lead (Responsible person) for Safeguarding
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To act as the lead Executive officer for delivering an inclusive and diverse workforce including ensuring compliance with PSED
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To act as part of the Services strategic command support team in the event of major emergencies or events.
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To act as principal advisor to the CFO on matters of people and human resource management including cases of appeal and legal proceedings
Director of Digital and Infrastructure
Karl Edwards
Karl's main responsibility is to enable the organisation in its public duties by providing the infrastructure which supports activities and to ensure the organisation complies with statutory responsibilities.
Karl's key responsibilities:
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To act as the lead Executive Officer for fleet and equipment, ensuring a fit for purpose and future proof fleet and operational equipment that meets the needs of the risks identified
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Responsible for the safe and effective utilisation of estates, maximising value and ensuring fit for purpose
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Responsible for delivering sustainability through the delivery of the Environmental strategy
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Responsible for IT systems and service infrastructure, inc mobilisation system and operational communications ensuring resilience and ease of access to users
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To ensure compliance with the Data Protection Act and act as the Senior Information Responsible Officer (SIRO)
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To act as the Principal Advisor to the CFO on matters relating to digital, infrastructure, Estates and Fleet
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To act as part of the Services strategic command support team in the event of major emergencies or events.
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Lead Executive Officer for liaison with Audit Committee
Director of Finance and Assurance
Neil Cross
Neil oversees the arrangements for effective corporate planning and assurance of the Authority ensuring the Service operates with financial efficiency, transparency and accountability whilst adhering to legal, regulatory and ethical standards
Neil's key responsibilities:
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Statutory officer under Local Government 1974 act.
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Legal duty to manage budget within set regulations
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In addition, responsible officer for Procurement, ensuring the Service is compliant with Procurement rules and able to evidence VFM
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Responsible for strategic planning and organisational change that enables organisational improvement identified within Audit, Inspection and Risk management planning.
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Responsible for Audit and reporting – manage relationships with external and internal auditors including HMICFRS, ensuring the completion of audits on time and in compliance with standards.
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Deliver organisational assurance to ensure the Service is delivering in line with key strategies and plans and provide performance and analytical reports to drive improvement. Oversee the preparations and submission of financial statements, annual reports and regulatory findings, provide regular updates to the Chief Fire Officer and Police Fire and Crime Commissioner on financial and governance matters
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Responsible for the enabling of a data led and performance-oriented culture through the effective production and use of performance and data analysis of which drives Service Improvement.
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Responsible for ensuring the Service is a learning organisation through the delivery of effective debriefing and organisational learning that feeds back into improved practice
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To act as part of the Services strategic command support team in the event of major emergencies or events.
