Steve started his new role on April 1, 2021, after dedicating 21 years of service to neighbouring Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service (LFRS).

In LFRS, Steve started his career as a firefighter and worked across various Service Support and Service Delivery roles, most recently as Acting ACFO Director of Service Delivery. In that role Steve held responsibility for the strategic leadership and management of frontline emergency response and prevention services across Lancashire’s 39 fire stations during the pandemic.

Steve’s new role will see him working closely with Human Resources and Organisational Development (HROD) colleagues from Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), the umbrella organisation which governs GMFRS, with a key focus on the Service’s approach to ensuring service excellence, training delivery, health and safety and special projects.

As GMFRS’ ACFO Director of Service Development – a new role within the Service – one of Steve’s main responsibilities will be overseeing the delivery of the Service’s leadership and culture ambitions.

The 49-year-old father-of-two said: “I am looking forward to the next chapter of my Fire and Rescue Service career and relish the opportunity in getting to know all my new colleagues at GMFRS.

“I know the Service is already doing great work – not just responding to emergencies but also supporting Greater Manchester’s response to the pandemic and I am looking forward to getting involved and assisting colleagues through this important work.

“I strongly believe in working in an open, honest and respectful way and I hope to bring this approach to everyone I work with at GMFRS. This will be especially important as I focus on influencing and shaping our collective leadership and developing further the positive culture across the organisation.”

Steve lives with his wife and his two daughters and in his spare time enjoys running and cycling.

He is also a graduate of the Executive Leadership Programme, a member of the Chartered Management Institute and the National Fire Chiefs’ Council.

Steve added: “I feel incredibly proud and honoured to have been offered this position and to join an organisation with such rich history and heritage, in serving the people of Greater Manchester.”