On 7 November 2016, I was honoured to take up the role as Chief Fire & Rescue Officer.  It was a huge honour personally and professionally to be appointed to lead our Service.  There have been many highlights, and indeed challenges, during my first year as Chief.  Without doubt, the key highlight of the year was meeting and engaging with you, our people.

Recently I’ve been struck by the unique role of middle managers.

Often overlooked, they find themselves tasked with juggling the top team’s hopes and aspirations with the realities of meeting the needs of frontline staff. It’s not an easy position to hold but I believe, and research has shown, that middle managers play a vital role in helping an organisation like ours reach its full potential.