Commissioner of the London Fire Brigade

Commissioner of the London Fire Brigade
Incumbent
Jonathan Smith
since May 2025
London Fire Brigade
SeatUnion Street, SE1
AppointerThe Monarch

The Commissioner of the London Fire Brigade, previously known as the Chief Fire Officer until c. 2000, is the head of the London Fire Brigade. Jonathan Smith has held the post since May 2025.[1]

The rank is usually referred to as the London Fire Brigade Commissioner, the LFB Commissioner or simply "Commissioner".

Current Commissioner

Jonathan Smith was appointed as the Commissioner for the London Fire Brigade in May 2025, following confirmation by the London Assembly’s Fire Committee. He succeeded Andy Roe, who retired after more than two decades of service with the Brigade.[2]

Smith began his firefighting career in 2000 with Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service at Norwich City Fire Station. He later moved to Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service in 2008, where he progressed through a series of senior roles. In 2019, he joined London Fire Brigade as an Assistant Commissioner, initially focusing on reforming procedures within Brigade Control, particularly in response to the Grenfell Tower Fire and the recommendations from the subsequent inquiry.[1][2]

Smith has managed responses to several significant incidents, notably the New Providence Wharf fire in 2021, and acted as the senior operational commander during major events including the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II and the coronation of King Charles III. In addition, he led work on cultural change within the Brigade in the wake of the Culture Review.[1][2]

List of London Fire Brigade chief officers and commissioners

From To Military rank
(if applicable)
Name Notes
1833 1861 James Braidwood First director of the London Fire Engine Establishment (which later became the London Fire Brigade).
1861 1891 Captain Eyre Massey Shaw First Chief Officer of the Metropolitan Fire Brigade.
1891 1896 James Sexton Simmonds
1896 1903 Captain (RN) Lionel de Lautour Wells
1903 1909 Rear Admiral James de Courcy Hamilton
1909 1918 Lieutenant Commander Sir Sampson Sladen
1918 1933 Arthur Reginald Dyer
1933 1938 Major Cyril Morris Only LFB chief officer to have been awarded the Military Cross
1938 1941 Commander Sir Aylmer Firebrace The first and only person to head firefighting across the whole of Great Britain.
1948 1962 Sir Frederick Delve First chief officer after the end of Fire Brigade nationalisation
1962 1970 Leslie Leete
1970 1976 Joseph Milner Director of the Hong Kong Fire Services from 1961–1970 before his appointment to the London Fire Brigade
1976 1980 Peter Darby
1980 1987 Ronald Bullers
1987 1991 Gerald Clarkson
1991 2003 Brian Robinson
2003 2007 Sir Ken Knight
2007 2016 Ron Dobson
2016 2019 Dany Cotton First woman commissioner. Retired earlier than planned due to criticism of LFB handling of fire at Grenfell Tower.
2019 2025 Captain Andy Roe
2025 Present Jonathan Smith

References

  1. ^ a b c "New London Fire Commissioner takes office". www.london-fire.gov.uk. Retrieved 16 July 2025.
  2. ^ a b c "Jonathan Smith - London Fire Brigade Commissioner". www.london-fire.gov.uk. Retrieved 16 July 2025.