MARK HARDINGHAM CBE QFSM

An inspirational and motivational keynote speaker on a wide range of subjects related to his 35 year career in the fire and rescue service.

Mark started as a firefighter and finished as Suffolk’s Chief Fire Officer from 2013-2020 and then a further four years through to 2025 as the Chair of the National Fire Chiefs Council, the UK national professional body for the fire and rescue service – Mark was the UK’s most senior fire service officer, and the principal advisor to Government. Mark is an excellent speaker, bringing together his extensive career and experiences into a well-prepared session. He will bring his presentation into the theme of your event, always with room for an open and honest response to questions, all presented in an engaging learning style and with a smile and sense of humour.

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Values-based and Operational Leadership – leadership from a wide range of perspectives and experiences from within the fire and rescue service; County Council Executive Director; blue light and other national partners; and principal adviser to Ministers and Government.

Grenfell Tower fire and subsequent Public Inquiry – As a Chief Fire Officer and the national fire service lead from when the fire happened in 2017 through to the publication of the public inquiry report in 2024. Mark’s role was to lead the fire service response to the fire, the inquiry recommendations and act as the principal adviser to Ministers and Government.

Culture and Inclusion & Mental Health and Wellbeing – Personal and professional perspectives as a Chief Fire Officer and then Chair of the National Fire Chiefs Council dealing with high profile issues of culture, misconduct and wellbeing in the fire and rescue service.

Working with Government – Principal fire and rescue service adviser to Ministers, Secretary of State and Cabinet members. Attended and gave evidence on a wide range of subjects to five Government Select Committees and at COBR meetings.

KEYNOTE THEMES

Leadership lessons in the fire and rescue service and into Government Ministers –

all the way from leading firefighters at the fire station through to working with

international Fire Chiefs – with a mixture of Select Committees, Ministers, COBR

meetings, Royal engagements and even phone calls with the Prime Minister along the

way.

The Grenfell Tower fire – learning from the tragic events of 14th June 2017, and the

subsequent public inquiry.

Responding to major disasters – what are the common and consistent key learning

points in the UK and overseas – Grenfell, Manchester Arena attack, wildfires, flooding

and other significant events

Culture, Inclusion and Mental Health and Wellbeing – dealing with and responding to the national focus on culture and misconduct in fire and rescue services.

Mark is an interesting, experienced and engaging public speaker who has spoken on a wide range of subjects at many national and international conferences and leadership development programmes, especially over the last five years.

His previous speaking engagements have been as a keynote speaker, conference host, awards evenings and at other professional social functions. These have included:

International fire service conferences in the US, Europe and the Middle East
UK Civil Service top-200 senior civil servants leadership development event
A small dinner hosted by the Speaker of the House of Commons Sir Lindsay Hoyle, when Mark was asked, at very short notice, to respond to Sir Lindsay’s after dinner speech
Inaugural World Fire Congress in Washington DC – as co-host to 400 delegates from 54 nations, the UN, EU and World Bank
UK Government Select Committees and COBR meetings
Invited speaker and Leadership events chair with the Windsor Leadership Trust and the Warwick Business School on their MBA programme

Biography

Mark left school at sixteen and after three years working for a bank, and despite a fear of heights, began his fire service career 35 years ago in Essex fire and rescue service. He served across many fire stations and in many roles as moved into more senior roles. He was appointed as the Deputy Chief Fire Officer in Suffolk in 2010 and then Chief Fire Officer and County Council Executive Director from 2013 to 2020. In the County Council Director role he had responsibility for Highways and Passenger Transport services, Trading Standards, Community Safety, Equality and Inclusion, and led a County review into Home to School Transport services…all alongside being the Chief Fire Officer. In 2017 Mark was appointed as the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) lead on building fire safety, just two months before the Grenfell Tower fire. He led the UK fire service response to the terrible events of June 2017 in respect of fire safety in buildings. In 2020 Mark was elected into the full time role of the NFCC Chair and served until the end of his tenure in March 2025. The NFCC is the professional voice of the UK fire and rescue service and the membership body for all 50 UK fire and rescue services, and 500 senior leaders and Chief Fire Officers. In this role Mark was required to lead the UK fire service and provide professional advice to Government, the Home Secretary and the Minister with responsibility for the fire and rescue service. He worked closely with the Government’s inspectorate of the fire and rescue service, national employers and other national and international fire service bodies. He has attended many Royal events representing UK fire and rescue services and worked closely with the Royal Foundation on blue light mental health and well-being. Alongside this role Mark is an alumni of the Windsor Leadership Trust – and now works closely supporting their leadership programmes as an invited speaker and programme chair. Mark works closely with the Warwick Business School on the fire and rescue service Executive Leadership Programme and the School’s MBA programme. In recognition of his career and senior leadership roles, Mark was awarded the Queens Fire Service Medal in 2019 and a CBE in 2025. Having finished his term as Chair of the NFCC in 2025, Mark is now taking some time thinking about what he wants to do next… He is married to Vickie with two sons in their 20s. He is a frustrated West Ham United fan, even more frustrated golfer. He is keen on fitness and general well-being, and fascinated by the benefits of sleep. He likes to travel and is a recent owner of a VW Campervan.

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Speaker podcast

Andrew chats with Mark Hardingham CBE QFSM, Chair of NFCC on leadership and politics, and working with government and ministers.

Jonathan Story, CEO The Windsor Leadership Trust

Mark has spoken on many of our leadership development programmes to a wide range of senior leaders from across all sectors of society. This includes public sector, civil service, corporates, faith, health, rail and military. He has also chaired our 5-day experienced strategic leadership programme – the feedback was excellent.

Our attending leaders always find Mark honest and inclusive, presenting an inspiring and interesting leadership journey in an open and engaging way. He is always thoughtful and considered in the way he answers questions, enabling a high level of learning and development through shared experiences. I would highly recommend Mark as a speaker and event Chair.

Andy Roe, London Fire Brigade Commissioner

As the Commissioner of the London Fire Brigade - one of the largest fire services in the world - I have worked with Mark for many years. He is an inspirational and engaging speaker with a very easy style, and on a range of nationally significant subjects. His work has undoubtedly helped me, and my organisation drive reform in areas of operational service delivery such as the Grenfell Tower fire and organisational culture. He has an extensive senior leadership career from which to draw and can apply that into many other sectors given the cross-cutting nature of executive leadership challenges. I would highly recommend working with Mark - we could not have led our improvements without him.

Dr Lori Moore-Merrell – Presidential Appointee USA Fire Administrator

Your commitment and openness to partner with the U.S. Fire Administration on a global scale was significant…From our first conversation about establishing a World Fire Congress, you were all in. Not only were you a key part of the planning process, but you were also a stellar Co-Host for the inaugural 2024 meeting in Washington DC…You are a true example of how to lead with integrity and character and I know you are not done. Wherever you go next, I wish you great success.

Tracy Nicholls OBE FCPara -

Chief Executive College of Paramedics

Mark is a truly exceptional speaker and leader, bringing deep expertise and invaluable insight to every stage he steps onto. With extensive experience in leading strategic change within the UK’s Fire and Rescue Services and driving positive transformation at a national level, he speaks with a rare combination of authority, authenticity, and clarity.

As both a keynote speaker and conference chair, Mark’s approach is evidence-based, engaging, and deeply thought-provoking. His ability to articulate complex issues with precision ensures his audiences are not only informed but inspired. Having chaired and spoken at numerous high-profile conferences, he consistently demonstrates a unique ability to connect with diverse audiences, foster meaningful discussion, and leave a lasting impact.

Whether delivering a compelling keynote or expertly steering a conference, Mark’s integrity and depth of knowledge make him an outstanding choice for any event.

Ritika Wadhwa - Prabhaav Global

I've had the pleasure of working with Mark in the US, Europe, and the UK, where he effectively integrated his expertise in cultural intelligence into the practical context of the fire service. Drawing on his extensive experience in the fire sector, particularly his insights from the Grenfell Tower fire, Mark eloquently conveyed the critical importance of this work.

His presentations are both inspirational and genuine, and he effortlessly connects with diverse audiences. Mark's ability to offer solution-oriented perspectives empowers his listeners to drive positive change.