Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service is preparing for a change in leadership following Louise Harrison’s decision to resign as Chief Fire Officer and Chief Executive with effect from spring 2027.
Louise leaves with immense pride in what the Service has achieved together and has thanked colleagues and Fire Authority Members for their support throughout her time in post. She will remain in post until spring 2027, with no immediate change to the management structure of the Service. The Fire Authority will confirm the recruitment process and timetable for appointing her successor in due course.
The Service’s work and existing priorities continue, with continuity of services for communities across Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes a priority throughout the leadership transition.
Louise Harrison said:
“Leading Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service and serving the communities of Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes has been an enormous privilege. This has been a difficult decision, and I will leave with a real sense of sadness, but also immense pride in what we have achieved together.
“Our people work every day to protect our communities, and the progress we have made reflects their professionalism, dedication and determination to improve. I am grateful to them, and to the Fire Authority for its support throughout my time in post.
“The Service has a strong leadership team and dedicated people across the organisation. I have every confidence that they will continue to build on that progress, with the same commitment to keeping our communities safe.”
Llew Monger, Chair of Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes Fire Authority said:
“On behalf of the Fire Authority, I would like to thank Louise for her leadership, dedication and commitment to the communities of Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes. She has led the Service through a period of significant improvement and can be proud of what has been achieved alongside colleagues across the organisation.
“That progress has put the Service in a strong position to move forward. We have every confidence in the leadership team and our people to build on it and maintain the services our communities rely on.
“The Authority will run an open and competitive recruitment process to appoint the next Chief Fire Officer and Chief Executive. Our priority will be to ensure a carefully managed transition, and we will keep staff, partners and the public informed as arrangements are confirmed.”
Further information about the leadership transition will be shared as arrangements are confirmed.