COVENTRY MESSAGE BOARD

Oliver Lee said the fire service's governance lacked "courage, transparency, care and honesty"



The interim boss of West Midlands Fire Service (WMFS) has said the organisation's governance is "wholly impossible" and that he will not apply for the permanent role.

Oliver Lee, who became WMFS's executive in March, said in a LinkedIn post on Sunday, external that the service's governance lacked "courage, transparency, care and honesty".

He was appointed following the death of the service's previous chief Wayne Brown in January.

Greg Brackenridge, chair of the West Midlands Fire Authority, said they were "disappointed" by Mr Lee's decision and he was meeting him on Monday to discuss concerns.

Mr Lee remained in his role as interim CEO and the process to recruit permanently had been advertised, he added.

Mr Lee, who was appointed for an interim period of up to one year, praised the "well-intentioned" and "brave" people who worked at the service.

He added that WMFS "should be, and could be, a superb public sector organisation".

Mr Lee previously spent 18 years in the Royal Marines, and he went on to receive an MBE and later an OBE for his service in Afghanistan.

In July, after taking on the WMFS role, he had objected to a national newspaper report that called the service "scandal-ridden".

He said at the time: "I don't accept that it's 'scandal-ridden' and nor will it be during my tenure here."

Fire boss who slammed service's governance suspended

The interim boss of West Midlands Fire Service (WMFS), who online has recently criticised its governance, has been suspended from his post.

The situation involving chief executive officer Oliver Lee was confirmed in a statement released by the West Midlands Fire and Rescue Authority (WMFRA) on Monday.

"This is not a decision the Fire Authority ever wanted to have to take, or takes lightly," the statement said.

WMFRA added the suspension was subject to ratification by the full Fire Authority.

In a LinkedIn post last month, Mr Lee said WMFS's governance was "wholly impossible", and that he would not be applying for the permanent role.

He also said the service's governance lacked "courage, transparency, care and honesty".

In the last week, Mr Lee took to LinkedIn again, outlining his intention to issue a vote of no confidence in WMFRA.

He then shared what he said was the contents of a message from Fire Authority chairman Greg Brackenridge, purportedly expressing disappointment over Mr Lee's comments.

Mr Lee said the contents of that message - about which he made several accusations - showed why "West Midlands Fire Service can't work".

Mr Lee was appointed chief executive on an interim basis in March following the death of the service's previous chief Wayne Brown in January.

The WMFRA statement said that if Mr Lee's suspension was upheld, an independent person would be appointed to carry out an investigation into the matter.

The statement also said Mr Lee's concerns would "continue to be investigated independently".

Fire boss quits following 'repeated threats'

The interim chief executive of West Midlands Fire Service (WMFS) has quit, claiming that he has been "threatened repeatedly, mainly to stay quiet on vital subjects in the public interest."

In a post on LinkedIn, Oliver Lee, who was suspended from the role on Monday, claimed he had been threatened with an injunction from the High Court and would not destroy his family with "vast legal bills".

On Thursday evening, Mr Lee said he would "not be gagged" and he had resigned "in order to do what is right".

He added: "West Midlands will now sadly continue as was when I inherited it: scared, cowed and not able to be itself."

Mr Lee said WMFS was "another Post Office", and that despite "my having told everyone up to the Home Office, nobody did a thing".

Troubled fire service announces new boss



A fire service facing calls for a public inquiry has announced Ben Brook as its new chief fire officer.

Mr Brook previously served as chief fire officer of Warwickshire's fire and rescue service.

His appointment at West Midlands Fire Service comes after Oliver Lee left his role as interim chief executive in October, accusing the service of being impossible to lead.

Greg Brackenridge, chairman of the service's governing authority, stepped down from his post the same month.

Mr Brook impressed in a strong field of candidates with his experience and ability to drive change, a statement said.

Mr Brook added there will be "much to do" in his new role, saying firefighters were committed to the mission of "protecting and saving lives".

His appointment will be ratified by a meeting of the fire authority on Monday 25 November.

In October, Aldridge Brownhills MP Wendy Morton called for an independent public inquiry into bosses at the service.

She said there were "deep rooted and troubling problems", adding: "I'm afraid there are too many unanswered questions."

Wayne Brown, the fire service's former chief, was found dead at his home in January.

He was being investigated over allegations he falsely claimed to have a business administration qualification needed for his job.

Fire boss withdraws from role after four days

The new chief at West Midlands Fire and Rescue has withdrawn from the role, four days after his appointment was announced.

Ben Brook, who was announced as chief fire officer on Friday, stepped away from the service after a "period of reflection", said the authority's Vice Chair Councillor Catherine Miks.

Mr Brook had felt there was still too much work to be done at neighbouring Warwickshire Fire and Rescue where he served as chief fire officer, she said.

There have been calls for a public inquiry into the West Midlands authority after the interim chief executive and chairman of the fire authority both resigned. Former chief fire officer Wayne Brown was found dead at his home in January.

"Ben feels the pull of Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service and the work still to be done there is greater than the pull back to the West Midlands, and so he has informed us that he will be continuing in his role there," Miks said.

"I hope I speak for the service when I say we respect Ben’s decision and wish he and Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service well."

She said the service was currently working on their "next steps" in its search for the next chief fire officer.

Aldridge Brownhills MP Wendy Morton recently called for an independent public inquiry into the service saying there were "deep rooted and troubling problems" there.

She spoke after Oliver Lee left his role as interim chief executive, accusing the service of being impossible to lead. Greg Brackenridge, chairman of the service's governing authority, stepped down from his post the same month.

Troubled fire service names fourth chief in year



A troubled fire service plagued with problems has announced the appointment of its fourth senior leader this year.

Simon Tuhill, ex-deputy fire chief in Northamptonshire, has become chief fire officer for West Midlands Fire Service (WMFS), nearly a year after ex-chief Wayne Brown was found dead, a day after the service confirmed he was under investigation.

The appointment also comes after Oliver Lee was appointed West Midlands Fire Authority's (WMFA) chief executive in September, but was suspended in a row over critical LinkedIn posts and resigned in October.

And earlier this week, Ben Brook withdrew from the chief fire officer's role just four days after his appointment was announced.

The governing fire authority was also hit by a resignation, after Greg Brackenridge, chairman, stepped down from his post in October.

As his appointment was announced, Mr Tuhill said it was “an honour to take on the leadership mantle”.

Taking up the post also comes after Conservative MP Wendy Morton called for an independent inquiry into WMFA, which oversees the running of WMFS, and which she criticised as having “deep-rooted and troubling problems”.

In response to this year's problems, Mr Tuhill said: “I know how hard staff have worked in difficult circumstances throughout 2024. I feel I am well placed to lead the service through this current period of uncertainty.

“I know there are a range of challenges facing the service in the coming months, and I look forward to working with the Home Office and Local Government Association to help improve oversight and scrutiny.”

Mr Tuhill began his fire service career in London Fire Brigade in 1998.

While in the capital, he attended major incidents including the 7/7 bombings, for which he received a commendation, and the Grenfell Tower fire.

He previously served as assistant chief fire officer for Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service and Deputy Chief Fire Officer in Northamptonshire.

Troubled fire authority launches improvement board



A fire authority beset with controversy over the past year is to establish a board to improve how it governs the fire service it oversees.

West Midlands Fire and Rescue Authority (WMFRA) said the decision underpinned its commitment to "strong and effective" governance of West Midlands Fire Service.

In October, Conervative MP for the West Midlands constituency of Aldridge-Brownhills called for an inquiry into the fire authority, citing "deep rooted and troubling problems".

It came just weeks after the interim chief executive of the fire service and the chairman of the fire authority both resigned following a dispute over fire authority governance.

The former, Oliver Lee, had publicly alleged WMFRA's governance lacked "courage, transparency, care and honesty".

He was appointed to the role following the death of the fire service's previous chief, Wayne Brown, in January 2024.

Mr Brown's death came shortly after the fire service confirmed he was being investigated for claims made on social media about his qualifications for the role.

Ben Brook was appointed in the wake of Mr Lee's departure but resigned just four days after taking the job.

The role has since been undertaken by Simon Tuhill, the ex-deputy fire chief for Northamptonshire, who pledged to bring stability to the service.

The newly announced corporate governance improvement board is to be created with support from the Local Government Association, and is subject to approval at the next full meeting of the fire authority on 17 February.

The plan is for the board to be independently chaired and include a mix of elected WMFRA members and external experts in governance, finance, and fire and rescue leadership.

The body is designed to "provide oversight, challenge, and support to the authority as it considers any improvements identified following ongoing inspections and reviews", WMFRA said.

An inspection was commissioned by the Home Office in December.

Councillor Cathy Bayton, chair of the fire authority, said: "At the heart of West Midlands Fire Service are the dedicated firefighters, control room staff and support teams who serve our communities with professionalism and dedication every day. We are determined that their vital work is complemented by effective leadership and governance.

"The board will bring valuable external scrutiny and expertise, helping us to develop and strengthen our approach where necessary. We hope our communities take reassurance from this positive step."

Councillor Wendy Maples, chair of the Local Government Association Fire Services Management Committee, said good governance was essential to good service provision, and that the fire authority was serious about addressing previous governance challenges positively.

The authority says the board will begin its work in spring, meeting regularly to oversee progress.

Its findings will be reported quarterly at public authority meetings.