The Fire Fighters Charity appoints new Chief Executive

Dr Jill Tolfrey MScMCSP has been appointed Chief Executive of The Fire Fighters Charity.

Dr Tolfrey joined The Fire Fighters Charity as its first clinically qualified Director of Operations in November 2010. With a personal interest in rehabilitation and re-ablement, she has undertaken research into living with long term conditions and the experience of illness.

As a member of the UK Rehabilitation Council in its development form, Dr Tolfrey has pioneered the Charity’s drive to reframe its beneficiary services to develop Charity-wide integrated services that are re-ablement focussed.

Ken Seager, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, today said: “I am delighted to announce the appointment of Dr Jill Tolfrey as our new Chief Executive Officer. Following an extensive selection process which attracted very high calibre applicants, Jill emerged as the most suitable person to take the Charity forward in the coming years.

“Jill’s doctoral research background in personal and professional development, along with her clinical research in exercise physiology and health psychology, stands her in excellent stead to take the helm of our Charity. Working closely with the fire and rescue service in the role of Director of Operations, Jill has gained an unrivalled knowledge of the needs of our beneficiaries. Her extensive skills, highly relevant experience, and sound knowledge of our beneficiary base make Jill the ideal candidate to take the organisation forward.

“I look forward to working with Jill to build on our hard-won reputation for successfully getting fire fighters and support staff back to work quickly after illness or injury, or just as importantly helping maintain their fitness at work so they can continue saving lives.”

Dr Tolfrey takes up the CEO post following the retirement of John Parry, who successfully headed up The Fire Fighters Charity during a three-year tenure having served with a number of fire brigades over a distinguished thirty-year career.

Mr Seager said: “It is largely thanks to John Parry’s leadership that we have such a healthy, fit for purpose organisation that is ready to help whenever the fire community needs us. I know our staff and volunteers share my high regard for John, and I must take this opportunity to thank John for his contribution and to wish him a happy retirement.”

Every year The Fire Fighters Charity directly helps more than 4,500 people in the fire community to be fitter, healthier and happier. It costs over £8m per year to meet the varied physical and psychological needs of the fire and rescue community, and with no government funding, the Charity is completely reliant upon donations from the general public and fire community.