Tell us a bit about yourself and your career:

I am currently working as Director of Business Development for Sopra Steria’s Public Safety Group having recently moved internally from my role as Head of Police Advisory Services in Shared Services Connected Ltd (SSCL) a joint venture between Sopra Steria and the Cabinet Office. Prior to joining Sopra I spent almost 30 years in policing with the Hampshire & IOW Constabulary and then towards the end of my service in collaboration with Thames Valley Police as part of the Contact Management senior leadership team. Starting in 1992 with a local Criminal Justice Unit I moved into Control Rooms in 1997 as a controller and absolutely loved it! Back in those days I had two colleagues who answered all 999 calls that came into the force from a mobile phone…How times change! We didn’t have the exciting technology that we see now back then of course, but what we did have that remains now is a strong bond of camaraderie and support for each other. Over the intervening years, I held various roles until in 2016, I became the Head of the Control Rooms as the collaborative Contact Management endeavour between Hampshire & IOW and Thames Valley Police was implemented.

Why did you want to be a judge?

The Control Room Awards offer such a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the brilliance of staff and officers that work across control rooms & contact centres, a front-line business area right at the very heart of emergency organisations. It is vital that these brilliant staff are given the opportunity to tell their stories and be recognised by their peers and colleagues and, most importantly, to show their friends and family, the often life-saving reasons why they are sometimes unavailable to them.

What would you like to say to everyone that has been nominated?

Your contribution to public safety should never be underestimated. While these nominations represent you and your individual brilliance; I know you will agree with me that they are but a small example of the amazing work that goes on every minute of every day by all who work in this crucial area.

Tell us a bit about yourself and your career.

I retired as Chief Fire Officer Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service in 2021 having started my fire service career in 1991, serving with Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service before moving to Buckinghamshire FRS. In my operational role I have attended a wide range of incidents, including the Windsor Castle fire, the Buncefield Oil Terminal fire, wide area floodings, the Newgrange Care Home fire at which 35 elderly residents were rescued by the Service.

For the last decade I have been closely involved in emergency control rooms and technical communications and was the National Fire Chiefs Council Strategic Lead for Operational Communications. As part of this, I chaired the UK’s 999 Liaison Committee, which oversees the technical aspects of the 999 system, including working closely with British Telecoms, all of the emergency services and the UK’s telecoms providers to ensure the effectiveness of the emergency call system.

Why did you want to be a judge?

The emergency services perform incredible acts every day to keep the public safe, the work of colleagues in ensuring that control rooms can effectively receive and handle calls for help is the foundation of every response without which the emergency services would be unable to operate #AllCallsStartWithControl

What would you like to say to everyone that has been nominated?

Everyone who has been nominated should feel justifiably proud of their achievements and being part of these awards, those that win are just the tip of a hugely significant and amazingly performing iceberg.

Tell us a bit about yourself and your career.

I was a BT-sponsored student, going on to work for them after graduating. Since 1997, I have worked on emergency services communications. I was part of the BT-led Quadrant consortium that eventually became Airwave Solutions, working on core network development and upgrades. I later moved on to work for the Home Office on the ESN network. In my spare time I enjoy the outdoors, hiking, running, and cycling. Reading fills the time when the weather gets too bad.

Why did you want to be a judge?

I have worked a lot on control room systems over the years, but never really with end-user control room staff. This allows me to see what the real people in the control rooms contribute to the communities they serve.

What would you like to say to everyone that has been nominated?

Just to be nominated shows that your contribution is highly valued by colleagues and the public, Well done for getting this far and good luck.

Tell us a bit about yourself and your career.

I joined British APCO as the Chief Operating Officer in March 2022 following my retirement as a Director with UK IT Advisory firm, Mason Advisory. This year marks 40 years since I first started working with public safety technology – a project with Cumbria Ambulance whilst working for Philips Communication Systems ! And, since 1995, I’ve had the privilege of delivering consultancy to a whole range of public safety organisations – at home and abroad – that has been truly rewarding. Nothing beats seeing new processes and technology doing what it was designed to do and being put to good use, and helping users better do their jobs.

Why did you want to be a judge?

As a judge you are in the fortunate position of being able to see all the entries – and it’s brilliant to be able to read all the stories and commendations from peers that all the nominees receive. They are all winners - but you do have to help decide on each entry to enable there to be an overall winner – and I’d like to think that my impartiality coupled with knowledge around communications control rooms allows me to rank the entries appropriately.

What would you like to say to everyone that has been nominated?

You are all heroes – and to simply be nominated underlines that. The work that you do as an individual or in a team is second to none in helping folk in their time of real need; they are making an emergency call because they need help – and they rely on the people, the tech, the organisation, to deal with the situation calmly and professionally – and to get that help as quickly as practical.

Tell us a bit about yourself and your career.

I first got involved in an emergency response environment when I started volunteering for the RNLI over 20 years ago now. This led me to see the work that HM Coastguard did on a daily basis and I wanted to be a part of it. In 2010 I joined HM Coastguard in London, where I coordinated search and rescue activity on the River Thames, working with partners from Ambulance, Fire and Police, as well as the RNLI and other responders. Fast forward 13 years and I am now the Assistant Chief Coastguard for National Network Operations and Infrastructure – I’m responsible for our 11 rescue coordination centres and our operational technology.

Why did you want to be a judge?

It’s a real privilege to be able to learn more about the great work done by control room staff daily that is often unseen by responders or the public. Being a judge is a huge honour but will undoubtedly be challenging as there are going to be/is so many great examples across all categories.

What would you like to say to everyone that has been nominated?

Those who work in control rooms do amazing things day and night 24/7, 365 days a year, often unsighted by the public. To those of you nominated I would like to thank you for your hard work, determination, and often personal sacrifice.

Tell us a bit about yourself and your career.

I joined the police in 2000 and have worked across two police forces and worked on national policing strategy within HMICFRS and now at the College of Policing. I have a background in response policing, proactive CID, Murder investigation, Safeguarding and Serious Crime. I am a Detective Inspector seconded to the College of Policing, where I lead on frontline policing and also prevention and trauma-informed practice. I am currently studying a Master’s degree in Applied Public Health (UCLAN) and have just received a merit for my first assignment.

Why did you want to be a judge?

I want to be a judge of these fantastic awards to be able to recognise the brilliance that those working in this environment display on a daily basis. It’s important to recognise the pressures and demands and the quick thinking and professionalism our colleagues display.

What would you like to say to everyone that has been nominated?

A HUGE thank you for the work you do and to your friends and families who support you to be brilliant at what you do, even when times are hugely challenging. Thank you.