Advertise on podcast: Fire Safety Matters Podcast

Episode 51 of the Fire Safety Matters Podcast includes exclusive interviews with Alison Phillips (global head of fire safety risk management at the Ocado Group) and Michael Mansfield (area sales manager for the southern region at hazardous materials storage specialist asecos). A BSc (Honours) graduate in the subject of Fire Safety and Management, Alison is a Fellow of the International Institute of Risk and Safety Management and also a Member of the Institute of Fire Safety Managers. Having worked at property risk consultancy Marsh McLennan and then as a risk engineer at AIG, Alison joined the Ocado Group in late 2021. As global head of fire safety risk management, Alison leads strategic programmes designed to integrate fire safety risk into wider operational resilience planning across international operations. The focus is very much on delivering structured and scalable frameworks that strengthen asset protection, support business continuity and enable sustainable organisational change. In conversation with Brian, Alison concentrates on several important topics, among them the sustainability agenda and the drive to promote and realise careers for more females in the fire sector. Having graduated in Business Studies at De Montfort University, Michael Mansfield worked in account management roles at both Lyreco UK and the TFC Group LLP. Joining asecos back in June 2024, Michael has since brought over 15 years’ worth of experience to bear in developing first-class working relationships with the company’s customer base. On this occasion, Michael examines the fire safety-related risks posed by lithium-ion batteries and the overriding importance of product testing. Once again, Brian and Mark review some of the key news stories in the sector. There’s a concentration on the updated version of PAS 9980 from the British Standards Institution, the campaign underpinning Fire Door Safety Week 2026, the recent Group restructure at BAFE and the opening of registrations for the inaugural edition of Fire Safety Matters Live Scotland.

Episode 50 of the Fire Safety Matters Podcast features several exclusive interviews as Brian hears from Mike Hobbs (specification and strategic growth lead at Apollo Fire Detectors) and Steve Dilloway (principal at Veritas Fire Support Services) in addition to Paul Pope (global director for the fire and life safety systems business at Ajax Systems) and Barnaby Carrick (senior technical engineer at passive fire protection solutions developer Siderise). Mike Hobbs joined Apollo in April last year from Honeywell, where he served as business manager and fire detection product specialist. He now leads a team of industry professionals operating across the UK and Ireland and focused on Apollo’s fire detection and life safety solutions. Steve Dilloway is a certified risk assessor and a member of the Fire Industry Association’s Fire Risk Assessment Council. He also provides consultancy support for those elements of fire and life safety that reside under the risk assessment umbrella. In tandem, Mike and Steve focus their attentions on the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 and what its introduction means for the fire industry going forward. Paul Pope is a Board director at the Fire Industry Association, an associate member of the Institution of Fire Engineers and also a member of the Institute of Fire Safety Managers. Having appeared as a guest on the very first episode of the Fire Safety Matters Podcast back in April 2020, Paul returns to examine the current challenges facing fire sector professionals and outlines recent developments at Ajax Systems. An Honours graduate in computer-aided product design having studied at the University of Portsmouth’s School of Engineering, Barnaby Carrick has been part of the team at Siderise since 2012. In conversation with Brian, Barnaby reviews the key challenges presented by Gateway 3 – the final checkpoint relating to the Building Safety Act – and the introduction of the new Siderise Inspection App.  As always, Brian and Mark highlight and discuss key news stories in the sector. On this occasion, there’s a focus on the recent change of ownership at the Fire Protection Association, the upcoming Women in Fire Safety Awards (for which the 2026 finalists have just been announced), the Fire Industry Association’s tribute to Chris Watts and the Building Safety Regulator appointing an independent chair for the dedicated Residents’ Panel.

Episode 49 of the Fire Safety Matters Podcast includes interviews with Andy Spence (managing director of Britannia Fire, the Norfolk-based manufacturer of fire extinguishers) and James Mountain (sales director at Millars Pumps, the exclusive UK and Ireland supplier of Idroelettrica’s fire pumps and modular pump room solutions). Andy examines fire extinguisher maintenance regimes, conformance with British Standards and the future roadmap for fire extinguishers as part of fire suppression regimes. James focuses on the procurement of fire pumps and the importance of support when it comes to system maintenance before outlining what Millars Pumps can deliver as a new entrant to the UK market.  As always, Brian and Mark review several major news stories emerging in the sector. This time around, attentions turn towards Ian Moore OBE’s decision to stand down as CEO of the Fire Industry Association, the Building Safety Regulator’s new approach towards building assessment certificates for higher-risk buildings, the latest research conducted by the British Woodworking Federation on the subject of third party certification for fire doors and a review of the latest edition of Fire Safety Matters Live and the Fire & Security Matters Awards 2026, both of which ran at the Coventry Building Society Arena on 2 July.

Episode 48 of the Fire Safety Matters Podcast features exclusive interviews with Elan Penn (training manager at Siderise, the passive fire protection solutions specialist) and Martin Green (commercial training and support manager) and Mick Hall (regional sales manager) at Hochiki Europe (the manufacturer of fire detection and emergency lighting products). Elan concentrates on several core subjects, among them Best Practice in fire stopping and also how the industry’s response to training is evolving in the wake of recent fire safety legislation. Returning guest Martin and his colleague Mick examine updates to British Standards, the compliance agenda and also the integration of fire systems with other technologies (including security solutions).   As always, Brian and Mark review major news impacting the sector. On this occasion, developments covered include the latest updates from the Metropolitan Police Service in relation to the Grenfell Tower investigation process, the Government’s proposed Remediation Bill having been confirmed in The King’s Speech, several senior-level appointments at BAFE and FireQual and the National Fire Chiefs Council’s call for fire safety to be built into the planning process from the outset.

Episode 47 of the Fire Safety Matters Podcast includes detailed interviews with Richard Heaton (CEO) and Mike Lythgoe (sales director) from the Protec Fire and Security Group and also Stephen Marsh, head of sales at Cygnus (the developer of wireless fire detection and alarm systems). Richard and Mike focus on several key areas, among them the immediate roadmap for the fire safety sector and the ongoing impact of the Internet of Things. Returning guest Stephen Marsh addresses the unique set of challenges presented by heritage premises when it comes to the installation and management of fire safety systems.   Brian and Mark review the latest fire sector news. Stories covered on this occasion include the Building Safety Regulator reporting record year-end Gateway 2 determinations, the Authoritative Statement recently issued by the Fire Engineers Advisory Panel, the creation of the PV Fire Intelligence Network and the Fire Protection Association’s partnership with FireQual on fire risk assessment qualifications.

Episode 46 of the Fire Safety Matters Podcast features exclusive interviews with Derrick Hall (director of sales and marketing) and Kevin Mears (head of product management) at Kentec Electronics, while Brian also hears from Spike Armstrong (business development manager for Thermocable). Derrick and Kevin concentrate on the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 (ie Martyn’s Law) in relation to the fire safety sector and the impact it will exert on product development. There’s also a focus on the statutory guidance being produced by the Government. A member of the Halma plc Catalyst Programme, Spike Armstrong discusses linear heat detection cable and its use in tandem with solar panel arrays, in turn outlining the key findings of Thermocable’s own research in this area.   As always, Brian and Mark analyse the latest fire sector news.Subjects covered include the Fire and Security Matters Awards 2026, the Women in Fire Safety Awards (which have just been acquired by Western Business Media) and the recent launch of the Fire Protection Association’s 2025 Policy Manifesto. There’s also detail (courtesy of the London Fire Brigade) on the number of e-bike fires in the capital and news about the introduction of a mental health-focused pack for passive fire protection practitioners developed and issued by the Association for Specialist Fire Protection.

Episode 45 of the Fire Safety Matters Podcast features two exclusive interviews. Brian hears from Darren Ellis, qualifications manager at FireQual, and Stephen Marsh (head of sales at wireless fire detection and alarm systems manufacturer Cygnus). Darren focuses his attentions on FireQual as an organisation, the importance of competence in the sector and qualifications for fire risk assessors, while Stephen explains why school holidays are an ideal time for education sector trusts and academies alike to evaluate their fire detection and alarm systems. In addition, Brian and Mark review the latest fire sector news.Subjects covered include the most recent set of statistics on building safety remediation issued by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and an e-Learning programme on fire safety introduced for high-rise building managers. There’s also detail on the news that Warringtonfire has just invested circa £4 million on two furnaces designed to increase the testing capacity at its Birchwood Park facility and an overview of BS 8674 (the recently published British Standard for fire risk assessors).

Episode 44 of the Fire Safety Matters Podcast includes Mark interviewing Mike Sutton, business development manager at Apollo Fire Detectors. Mike’s a proud member of the Institute of Fire Safety Managers (IFSM) and the Institution of Fire Engineers in addition to being an associate member of the National Association of Healthcare Fire Officers. On this occasion, Mike focuses his attentions on ways in which to protect educational premises from fire. In addition, Brian and Mark analyse the latest industry news. Topics covered include the eighth anniversary of the Grenfell Tower fire, the Industry and Regulators Committee seeking practitioners’ views on the Building Safety Regulator and the appointment of Dave White FIFSM (Life) MIFireE (chair of the IFSM) and Colin Todd MBE (managing director at C. S. Todd & Associates) to the Board at FireQual. Brian and Mark also review the Fire and Security Matters Awards 2025 and Fire Safety Matters Live Coventry, reference Western Business Media’s new Ignite digital platform for CPD and look ahead to Fire Safety Matters Live Manchester on 1 October.

Episode 43 of the Fire Safety Matters Podcast sees Mark Sennett chatting with Warren Spencer about appealing Enforcement and Prohibition Notices. Mark also sits down with Hochiki Europe's Martin Green and EA-RS Fire Enginering's Kevin Pullen to discuss key regulatory changes impacting fire safety system installations, the benefits of manufacturer-led training programs and much more. In the news on this episode, Mark shares views put forwards by Industry bodies on the Government’s post-Grenfell plans, reaction to the news that Grenfell Tower is set to be demolished, FIRAS taking the decision to withdraw specific FIRAS active certification schemes, and more. If you want to sign up to attend Warren Spencer's webinar on Enforcement and Prohibition Notices, visit https://wbm.streamgo.live/enforcement-notice-and-prohibition-notices

Episode 42 of the Fire Safety Matters Podcast features Mark chatting with our regular guest Warren Spencer (managing director of Blackhurst Budd Solicitors) about a specific Case Study in the healthcare sector and also why fines apportioned in the fire sector tend to be lower than for prosecutions in the Health and Safety domain. Brian interviews Lee Nichols (technical director at Siderise). Lee concentrates on several core areas, among them current market challenges, the attainment of competence and how system manufacturers can actively support collaboration between design teams and contractors on-site. In addition, Brian and Mark review the latest industry news. Topics covered include the Government establishing a dedicated building Remediation Enforcement Unit within the Building Safety Regulator at the Health and Safety Executive and the responsibility for fire transferring from the Home Office to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government from 1 April.

Episode 41 of the Fire Safety Matters Podcast includes interviews with Mark Whiteley (sales director for the UK and Ireland at asecos), Tony Smith (managing director of Vox Ignis) and Mandy Bowden (fire systems manager for Comelit-PAC). Mark Whiteley discusses the dangers posed by lithium-ion batteries, while Tony Smith concentrates on standards development and the future roadmap for the voice alarms market. Mandy Bowden looks at wireless fire safety systems, the necessity for staff training and also the influence of new Government legislation on the sector. As always, Brian and Mark review the latest industry news. Topics covered include the safety risks continuing to impact tall buildings in London and the Institution of Fire Engineers’ new strategy document entitled ‘Leading Fire Safety’.

Episode 40 of the Fire Safety Matters Podcast features a trio of exclusive interviews with our guests Warren Spencer (managing director of Blackhurst Budd Solicitors), Craig Wells (sales director at Quelfire) and Phil Kirkham (engineering manager for applied technology at Elta Fans). Warren Spencer chats with Mark about the Mock Trial held at Fire Safety Matters Live Manchester in early October. Returning guest Craig Wells focuses on the new Quelfire campaign ‘Because It’s Your Job To Know’ and Phil Kirkham discusses the importance of smoke ventilation fans. Brian and Mark also analyse the latest industry news. Topics covered include the Government’s cladding remediation programme and Mitie Group plc’s recent acquisition of Argus Fire.

Episode 39 of the Fire Safety Matters Podcast focuses on the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 final report. Mark and Brian take an in-depth look at the report and share comments from key stakeholders from across the UK fire sector. This episode also contains two exclusive interviews featuring the opinions of Tom Brookes (managing director of Zzeus Training and chair of the Fire and Security Association) and Derrick Hall (sales and marketing director at Kentec Electronics). In conversation with Brian, Tom touches on the qualifications landscape and also offers his thoughts on the Phase 2 final report from the Grenfell Tower Public Inquiry chaired by Sir Martin Moore-Bick. Derrick Hall chats to Brian about fire alarm control panel redundancy, the current standards landscape and also the ongoing issue of false fire alarms.

Episode 38 of the Fire Safety Matters Podcast includes Mark chatting with James Pecz, head of global business development at Ramtech Electronics, the Nottingham-based developer of wireless electronic solutions. James focuses his attentions on fire safety regulations in the UK, a comparison of standards on home shores versus the rest of the world, the overriding requirement for early detection systems in tandem with emergency evacuation and the steps that can be taken to improve fire safety regimes on construction sites. Once again, Brian and Mark analyse the key stories emerging from the industry at present. On this occasion, there’s an assessment of Warringtonfire’s new £24 million Birchwood Park testing facility that has been recognised with a Considerate Constructors Bronze Award in partnership with main contractor Tilbury Douglas. Also, there’s a focus on AXA Commercial’s advice for businesses in the capital to review their fire risk assessments and staff training in the wake of the London Fire Brigade announcing that it will no longer respond to daytime activations of automatic fire alarms in most non-residential buildings from October. Further, Mark and Brian examine the launch of the Institution of Fire Engineers’ Early Careers Networking Group and look back on the Fire & Security Matters Awards 2024, which ran at the CBS Arena in Coventry on 12 June, drawing a record number of entries and attendees.

Episode 37 of the Fire Safety Matters Podcast features exclusive interviews with three special guests: Richard Hull (Professor of Chemistry and Fire Science in the School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences at the University of Central Lancashire), Martin Green (commercial training and support manager at Hochiki Europe in the UK) and Paul Tilbury, divisional manager for fire systems at distributor Dynamic CCTV. As reported by Fire Safety Matters, one of Professor Richard Hull’s recent studies has exposed potential inadequacies in the regulations focused on the fire safety of upholstered furniture. In conversation with Brian, Richard examines the main findings of these studies and also offers his considered views on the Government’s consultation around updating the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988. Brian also hears from Martin Green, who joined Hochiki Europe’s UK operation back in 2007 and has since held several sales-focused roles, among them regional sales manager for the South West and system sales manager. On this occasion, Martin turns his attentions towards the very popular subject of hybrid wireless technology. Finally, Brian chats with Paul Tilbury from distributor Dynamic CCTV. A graduate in the subject of Risk and Security Management from the University of Leicester and also a Fellow of the Institute of Sales Professionals, Paul worked at Norfass, Chubb Fire and Security and Norbain before joining the ranks at Dynamic CCTV in 2016. Here, Paul examines why Dynamic CCTV chose to move into the fire domain and goes on to outline some of the services currently being offered by the business. As always, Brian and Mark analyse several of the industry’s key news stories. This time around, there’s an assessment of the largest UK Fire and Rescue Service convoy to date being sent to help the firefighters of Ukraine, an update on the timelines for the Grenfell Tower Inquiry’s final report, detail concerning the ASFP’s new training recognition service and an appraisal of the shortlist for the Fire and Security Matters Awards.