Culture review: Leadership and governance changes over the past year
South Wales Fire and Rescue Service has marked one year since the publication of the Independent Culture Review conducted by Fenella Morris KC.
In February 2024, four Commissioners joined the service to oversee governance and support senior leaders in improving strategic planning, risk management, and transparency.
In April, Dominic Mika was appointed as the Director of Strategic Change and Transformation, working with the Commissioners and the Executive Leadership Team to implement recommendations from the review.
In July, Fin Monahan was named Chief Fire Officer and took up the role in November.
He brought experience in organisational culture and introduced a different approach to leadership.
Transformation Programme initiatives and objectives
The Commissioners have focused on ensuring South Wales Fire and Rescue Service remains an effective organisation that maintains public confidence.
To support this, His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services was commissioned to conduct an assessment, complementing the original review with additional context.
The report is expected in the coming months.
The governance team continues to oversee the Step Forward Transformation Programme, which includes nine key areas of focus.
These initiatives cover governance, leadership, policy reforms, and improvements in technology and workplace culture.
Step Forward Transformation Programme and key projects
The Step Forward programme was developed in response to the culture review and includes initiatives beyond its original recommendations.
The nine projects focus on:
- Communications and engagement
- Digital transformation
- Diversity, inclusion, cohesion, and equity
- Ethics, values, and behaviours
- Governance and strategy
- Leadership
- Policy and procedure
- Safe and positive environment
- Talent management
A key aspect of the programme has been incorporating staff feedback through workshops, online forums, and engagement sessions.
In January, the service published a Culture Statement outlining its commitment to workplace values aligned with the National Fire Chiefs Council Core Code of Ethics.
Operational and community engagement activities
Throughout the year, South Wales Fire and Rescue Service continued responding to incidents across the region, managing nearly 37,000 calls, including 3,700 deliberate fires, 687 dwelling fires, and 870 road traffic collisions.
Fire safety teams carried out over 37,000 safety talks and 15,000 home safety checks.
The service also participated in public engagement events, including station open days, Pride Cymru, and the national Eisteddfod.
Reflecting on his first three months in post, Chief Fire Officer Fin Monahan said: “My time here so far has been incredibly busy, yet deeply rewarding.
“I’ve had the privilege of working with some of the most dedicated individuals I’ve encountered in my career.”
He added: “Every organisation faces challenges, and ours has historical issues, as outlined in the Fenella Morris report.
“My approach is to listen first—only by understanding the concerns of our people can we implement meaningful change.”
South Wales Fire and Rescue Service reflects on culture review progress: Summary
South Wales Fire and Rescue Service has outlined the progress made in the year since the Independent Culture Review by Fenella Morris KC.
Key changes include the appointment of Commissioners in February 2024 to oversee governance, the hiring of a Director of Strategic Change in April, and the arrival of Chief Fire Officer Fin Monahan in November.
The Step Forward Transformation Programme has been launched to address governance, leadership, policy reforms, and workplace culture, with nine key projects in progress.
The service continued responding to emergency calls, handling nearly 37,000 incidents, while also focusing on community engagement through fire safety education and public events.
Chief Fire Officer Fin Monahan has prioritised visible leadership and staff engagement, implementing measures such as a confidential email system for reporting concerns.
He stated that while challenges remain, the service is committed to cultural transformation.