London Fire Commissioner Andy Roe has announced his decision to retire after five years at the helm of the London Fire Brigade (LFB). His announcement has sparked a wave of tributes, with City Hall now embarking on a formal process to appoint a successor. Mr Roe’s final day in office has yet to be confirmed, but his departure marks the end of an era during which he oversaw significant reforms to the Brigade.
“It has been an honour and a privilege to lead London Fire Brigade,” said Mr Roe in a statement. “When I became Commissioner, I inherited a service suffering from decades of underinvestment. Over the past five years, supported by the Mayor of London, I have been able to lead significant change and improvement in the organisation — including the way we respond to emergencies and in our culture. Our people are now better trained and equipped for their mission to serve and protect London.”
Under Mr Roe’s leadership, the LFB has made considerable strides in its operations, training, and overall performance. The changes implemented have transformed how the Brigade responds to emergencies, particularly with the added pressure of adapting to challenges brought about by climate change, safety regulations, and technological advancements. The focus has also been on rebuilding the LFB’s internal culture, which had been the subject of much scrutiny in the wake of the Grenfell Tower tragedy.
Mayor of London, Sir Sadiq Khan, praised Mr Roe’s tenure, calling his leadership “outstanding.” He highlighted the significant progress the LFB has made under Mr Roe, including improvements in emergency response times, the Brigade’s performance in major incidents, and the fulfilment of all the recommendations from the Phase One Grenfell Tower Inquiry. Sir Khan also commended the record investment provided by City Hall, which has enabled the LFB to procure new equipment, enhance training, and adopt better working practices.
“Under Andy’s leadership, LFB has made significant progress in improving its performance and culture to rebuild the trust and confidence of Londoners. The Brigade is responding to emergencies faster, is now rated as outstanding in how it responds to major and multi-agency incidents, and has fulfilled all the Phase One Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommendations,” said Sir Khan.
Additionally, Sir Khan praised Mr Roe for taking a firm stance on issues of discrimination, notably adopting a zero-tolerance policy towards racism, misogyny, and homophobia within the service. This approach has been crucial in transforming the LFB into a more inclusive and modern force. “Andy has set out a clear path for the Brigade to build on the progress he’s made,” Sir Khan continued. “I want to thank him for his decades of public service working to make London safer for everyone. I wish him a happy retirement.”
Hina Bokhari, chair of the London Assembly’s Fire and Emergency Planning Committee, also paid tribute to Mr Roe, recognising his vital leadership during a particularly challenging period. She noted that his tenure had included implementing the recommendations of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry and overseeing the Brigade’s efforts to keep Londoners safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Andy has given dedicated service to London over many years. His leadership was vital throughout an undoubtedly challenging period for the LFB — implementing the recommendations of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry and keeping Londoners safe throughout the pandemic,” said Ms Bokhari. “The commissioner has regularly and constructively engaged with the Assembly’s scrutiny work and has always understood the need for openness and transparency in response to the difficult questions we have asked about his efforts to improve the LFB’s culture.”
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The challenges facing the London Fire Brigade are far from over. The increasing frequency of climate-related incidents, the rise in lithium-ion battery fires, and the continued evolution of building safety regulations all present ongoing challenges for the service. The next Commissioner will need to build on the work Mr Roe has done and continue to push for a more modern, responsive, and effective fire service for the capital.
Ms Bokhari expressed her optimism for the future, stating that the committee looks forward to working with the new Commissioner to ensure that the LFB’s culture continues to improve and that the service remains a beacon of safety for Londoners.
As Andy Roe steps down after a distinguished career, his legacy will undoubtedly be shaped by his efforts to modernise and reform the London Fire Brigade, leaving behind a safer and more effective service for the capital.
