Leadership

The BAFE Holdings Board is responsible for the strategic oversight of all companies operating within BAFE Holdings (with insight from BAFE Holdings Advisory Committee).

Please find details below on all BAFE Holdings Board Members:

Chair: Douglas Barnett

Douglas Barnett, Director Mid-Market and Customer Risk Management – AXA Insurance (UK) plc, was elected as Chairman in 2014. Douglas chairs both the Board and Council and actively supports the staff team in BAFE’s development. Douglas has over 25 years’ experience in risk management with an extensive global background. He represents the Association of British Insurers and other commercial groups in consultations with Government bodies and technical groups. He has a number of technical qualifications including the Post Graduate European Diploma in Fire Safety Management and is a member of a number of professional bodies.

Group Chief Executive Officer: Dr Justin Maltby-Smith CEng FIET CMgr FCMI

Justin Maltby-Smith joined in 2022, having previously worked within the electrical installation, education, and life safety sectors. Prior to joining BAFE his previous roles included: Technical Scheme Development Manager at NAPIT and Head of Schemes and Operations at Certsure/NICEIC. Justin represents BAFE on multiple national level committees supporting the development of British Standards/Codes of Practice and competency frameworks to support and provide a safer fire and life safety sector.

Justin is also Managing Director of FireQual, which is owned by BAFE Holdings. FireQual is a specialist Awarding Organisation for the fire sector, providing nationally recognised Regulated Qualifications which are delivered through its Approved Training Centres throughout the UK.

As an individual who has owned an electrical installation and consultancy business – and later transitioning over to the regulation and third-party certification side of the sector, Justin’s skills, knowledge, and experience enables him to lead both BAFE and FireQual and to develop competency in a pragmatic and achievable manner.

Director: Iain Cox

Iain Cox retired in 2013 following 34 years of service for Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service, where he served as Chief Fire Officer. Alongside Iain’s role on the Board, he remains active within the fire safety sector currently as Chair of the Business Sprinkler Alliance (BSA) and Vice Chair of the National Fire Sprinkler Network (NSFN). Iain was also heavily involved with the work of the Fire Risk Assessment Competency Council (FRACC), which introduced important information for the Fire Risk Assessment sector. He was awarded the prestigious Queen’s Fire Service medal in 2009.

Director: Derek Harrington

Derek Harrington works as a consultant, former roles including Service and Contracts Director for Caradon Gent and Chief Executive for Novar Project Limited. Derek remains active within the fire industry with an ongoing commitment to the Board, and his role as Chair of the Euralarm Finance Committee was also to influence the need for Third-Party Certification in Europe. Derek stood down from Euralarm in 2022, but continues to provide valuable support to BAFE Holdings, particularly with financial matters to guide BAFE’s team appropriately. In 2020, Derek received the FIA’s prestigious Lifetime Achievement award.

Director: Graham Newman

Graham Newman sits on the Board with technical expertise in fire extinguishers and gas cylinders. Graham also participates with the appropriate British Standards Technical Committees to provide input. Graham has his own business, primarily focusing on cylinder manufacturing. Alongside Graham’s commitments to BAFE and the British Standard Technical Committees, he is also President of the British Fire Consortium.

Director: Howard Passey

Howard Passey has worked for the FPA since 1992, undertaking multiple operational and leadership roles. This includes varying roles from Training/Information Officer to Principal Consultant, progressing to Director of Operations and currently Deputy Managing Director. Prior to joining the FPA, Howard trained as a land surveyor and worked for 8 years in the construction industry. He has extensive experience working in the FPA’s fire advisory division and is a well-respected and skilled Fire Risk Assessor. Howard’s experience brings a wealth of knowledge to BAFE Holdings, where he assists and steers decision making to achieve BAFE’s goals and provides suitable guidance as required.

Director: Lewis Ramsay

Lewis Ramsay was a former Assistant Chief Officer for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS), where he served as the Director of Response and Resilience. Lewis’ experience provides BAFE Holdings with an excellent resource of information, including a thorough understanding of appropriate conduct and behaviour of individuals concerning fire and life safety. Lewis acted as Interim Managing Director when this was required in 2021/2022, providing crucial guidance to the BAFE Holdings team. In addition to Lewis’ responsibilities as a Board Director, he also sits in the position of Chair for the FireQual Board.

Director: Nigel Walton

Nigel Walton is the former owner of Abbot Fire Group. Nigel’s position as a Board Director provides valuable insight from an active fire safety organisation. Abbot Fire Group is BAFE Registered for the BAFE SP101 fire extinguisher scheme, BAFE SP203-1 fire detection and fire alarm systems scheme and was the first organisation to achieve BAFE SP206 Registration for kitchen fire protection systems (for Ansul R-102 systems). Nigel is also a Director of the trade association IFEDA which offers a route for feedback concerning the fire safety industry and BAFE Schemes. This provides quality information for the Board.