Motorola Knowledge Event Series 2017
Practical lessons learned from the evolving fire and emergency services sector in the UK: a contemporary perspective on leadership - Proceedings

May 2017

Throughout May the 2017 Knowledge Event Series was held in six locations across Australia and in New Zealand. Lessons on leadership and collaboration were shared nationally through this professional development opportunity offered by AFAC and Motorola Solutions.

John Beard presenting at the Knowledge Event in Melbourne.

Participants heard an international perspective on the public sector from our presenter John Beard, the Assistant Chief Fire Officer of the Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service in the UK. John spoke candidly about leading his organisation through change, what it means to be a public sector service, and the leadership behaviours that drives an ethos of true public service at all levels within an organisation.

John joined the service as a retained firefighter in 1991 and has served in a wide range of roles over his career, including many senior positions. He is also a representative of the Chief Fire Officers Association (UK), an organisation which AFAC has an ongoing partnership with.

John told participants about some of the key drivers for change in the UK, and how he has focused on driving cultural change within the organisation as well as reshaping the response model to be community-focused. He also spoke of the work underway in breaking down barriers between public sector services in the UK.