INTERSCHUTZ handover puts new director in charge

by EventsFeatured NewsPeople

INTERSCHUTZ project management changes hands

Thilo Horstmann assumed responsibility for INTERSCHUTZ project management on February 1, 2026.

Deutsche Messe announced that Horstmann (48) took over from Bernd Heinold (54), who moved at the same time to become Project Director for didacta.

Horstmann reports to Hendrik Rawe, Global Director INTERSCHUTZ, LIGNA, parts2clean and SurfaceTechnology GERMANY within Trade Fair & Product Management at Deutsche Messe.

Deutsche Messe comments on appointment and background

Arno Reich, Senior Vice President Trade Fair & Product Management at Deutsche Messe, said: “With this highly qualified appointment to the INTERSCHUTZ Project Director position, Deutsche Messe is reinforcing the event’s continuous development.

“Thilo Horstmann is an experienced project director within the Deutsche Messe team and will bring strategic perspective and operational expertise to shape the future direction of the entire INTERSCHUTZ portfolio,” Reich added.

Horstmann completed a dual degree in Business Administration at DHBW Ravensburg.

He then worked as a project manager overseeing various trade fairs within the international portfolio of HANNOVER MESSE, including Ankiros in Turkey and Metal & Metallurgy in China.

He has served as a project manager since 2008 and has been Project Director of DOMOTEX from 2021 to the present.

Reich also said: “We would like to thank Mr. Heinold for his outstanding commitment, his keen sense for topics and people, and his ability to build and maintain strong networks.

“This combination has contributed significantly to the success of INTERSCHUTZ.

“In his new professional role as Project Director of didacta, he will bring his expertise with the same passion.

“We wish him every success,” Reich said.

IFE to recruit full-time chief executive and add new technical role

by Breaking NewsFire EngineeringPeople

IFE leadership team investment

The Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE) is expanding its leadership team through two new appointments, including a full-time Chief Executive Officer and a full-time technical post based at its headquarters in Stratford-upon-Avon.

The IFE announced the recruitment on 28 January 2026.

Recruitment plan and leadership transition

Steve Hamm, the IFE’s current Chief Executive, said: “As well as expanding our leadership capacity, these two new appointments will ensure organisational resilience and enable us to provide services to our members that reflect the evolving role of the IFE as the leading international professional body for fire safety, and to support emerging regulatory frameworks for registered fire engineers and technicians.

“Having been CEO on a part-time basis for the past five years, I will transition to a strategic fire safety advisory role following the appointment of a new full-time CEO later this year.

“The new Chief Executive will provide a dedicated full-time resource for the IFE, supported by qualified professionals who form the Corporate Management Team.”

The recruitment process is planned as a comprehensive process to ensure the Corporate Management Team is resourced for the future.

Paul Stollard, IFE Chair, said: “These appointments come at a critical time providing essential support for the IFE’s growth which will enable us to effectively navigate the increasing demands placed on the institution, particularly since the publication of the Grenfell Tower report.

“The board recognises that the current CEO has led the organisation for over 5 years on a part-time basis, having initially been engaged to provide oversight of a change management programme.

“As a qualified Chartered Engineer with extensive strategic leadership experience, Steve has led the IFE through an era of significant organisational development, leading to the situation where greater capacity is needed in both strategic leadership and technical expertise.

“The recruitment of both roles demonstrates IFE’s commitment to reinforcing its leadership framework and positioning the organisation for sustained growth and resilience.”

The IFE said it is working with a specialist executive recruitment agency to lead the appointment of the new Chief Executive Officer.

Further updates on the appointment and on strengthening technical staff resources will be shared in due course.

Call for nominations to IFE roles

The IFE said nominations opened on 1 February 2026.

Three vacancies are available, comprising two Trustee roles and the position of International President Elect.

One Trustee will be elected by the voting membership and one by the IFE International General Assembly representatives.

Trustees are responsible for setting strategic direction, overseeing governance, managing risk and ensuring legal and charitable compliance.

The International President Elect will serve for one year from the AGM in July 2026 before automatically becoming International President for a further year.

Eligibility and nomination deadline

The IFE stated that nominees for International President Elect must be Corporate Graded Members, including paid-up Life Fellows, Fellows, Members and Associates.

Applications must be supported by current serving trustees of the Board.

All nominations and supporting information must be submitted to company.secretary@ife.org.uk by 12:00 noon GMT on 28 February 2026.

Johnson Controls appoints Susan Hughes as Asia Pacific president

by Featured NewsPeople

Johnson Controls appoints Asia Pacific president

Johnson Controls has appointed Susan Hughes as vice president and president, Asia Pacific.

The appointment was announced in a Johnson Controls statement dated 26 January 2026.

Hughes will report to chief executive officer Joakim Weidemanis and join the company’s executive committee.

She succeeds Anu Rathninde, who will depart Johnson Controls at the end of February.

Background and executive comments

Weidemanis said: “As we continue to operationalize our enterprise strategy, the Asia Pacific region represents a significant growth opportunity,”

“With her deep expertise in the region and strong record of leading teams, operations and customer engagement, across the region, Susan is well positioned to strengthen our execution, deliver even greater value for our customers, enable our people to do so and ultimately accelerate growth.

“I want to thank Anu for his dedication and contributions to Johnson Controls over the last few years and wish him well.”

Hughes brings operating experience across sales, marketing, service, engineering and manufacturing.

She spent 20 years at Emerson, holding leadership roles across multiple businesses in the Asia Pacific region.

She most recently served as President of Asia Pacific for Emerson Automation Solutions.

She delivered sustained growth across markets in the region through commercial execution and lifecycle services.

Hughes holds an MBA from Washington University’s Olin School of Business.

She also holds dual bachelor’s degrees in Mathematics and Mandarin Chinese from Grinnell College.

The statement also noted she is conversant in English and Mandarin Chinese.

Technology Council appointment for Drax Technology’s David Simpson

by Featured NewsPeople

Technology Council appointment to FIA forum

David Simpson has been elected to the Fire Industry Association (FIA) Technology Council, a UK forum focused on fire safety technology.

The appointment was confirmed by Drax Technology, where Simpson serves as Group Product Director.

The company described the Technology Council as a group of figures from across the fire industry that guides adoption of emerging technologies and work linked to life safety and compliance.

Drax Technology said the Technology Council’s work includes initiatives linked to system compatibility, standards improvement and how technology can support fire safety professionals.

Focus areas raised in the announcement

In its announcement, Drax Technology said Simpson has promoted the use of data in fire system management and pointed to areas including data analytics, IoT and AI.

Simpson said: “It’s an exciting time for our industry. We’re seeing rapid advancements in data analytics, IoT, and AI – all of which can help us understand risk better and manage systems more proactively.

“The FIA Technology Council provides an opportunity to ensure these technologies are used responsibly and effectively to protect people and property.”

The company also referred to its work on alarm management platforms and testing tools intended to support compliance and reduce false alarms.

Drax Technology said Simpson’s involvement will link collaboration through the FIA with work on practical tools used in fire system management.

The company described the appointment as recognition of its work on connected fire safety.

Global HSE Group promotes Jason Challenger to National Sales Manager

by Featured NewsPeople

Global HSE Group appoints Jason Challenger to national sales role

Global HSE Group has promoted Jason Challenger to National Sales Manager, with the announcement made in Bingham, Nottinghamshire on 26 January 2026.

The company outlined the move as it continues to scale, with Challenger expected to help deliver a consistent client experience and maintain workmanship and compliance standards.

Role remit includes bid team oversight

Challenger joined Global HSE Group last year as Bid Team Manager and Business Development Manager.

He will continue to oversee the bid team alongside his new responsibilities as National Sales Manager.

The company described the arrangement as intended to maintain continuity and technical rigour across national sales and tendering activity.

Management and appointee comments on the promotion

Andrew Cooper, Managing Director at Global HSE Group commented, “Jason’s promotion is a reflection of the impact he’s made since joining Global.

“He understands our services, our customers, and the importance of getting things right.

“As we continue to grow, having someone with Jason’s technical depth and commercial understanding leading our national sales function is a real strength for the business.”

Challenger added: “My first year at Global has confirmed that this is a business built on doing things properly.

“There’s a real focus on quality, compliance, and supporting customers through complex challenges.

“The fire safety sector is changing rapidly, and clients need partners they can trust.

“Global is well placed to meet that challenge, and I’m proud to step into this role and help support sustainable growth across the UK.”

Zoe Cutts joins Workman team amid rising Building Safety Act client demand

by Featured NewsPeopleSafety

Building safety team appointment

Workman has appointed Zoe Cutts as Senior CDM and Building Safety Consultant as it responds to increasing client demand for construction design and management expertise.

The firm announced that Cutts has joined its Building Safety team, which it said has grown to six specialists in the past year following growth in portfolio instructions with major clients.

The team has secured CDM Principal Designer and client advisory instructions, along with Building Safety Act advisory work and Building Safety Case Report instructions.

Cutts has a professional background in health and safety and design risk management.

She has experience acting as CDM Principal Designer and CDM Advisor across commercial and residential projects.

Workman said her knowledge of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 will support clients in fulfilling legal duties while reducing hazards and Health and Safety Executive intervention.

Scope of CDM work

Cutts will lead as CDM Principal Designer, co-ordinating design risk management and supporting designers and contractors to eliminate, reduce and control risks through project lifecycles.

Her work will cover the design phase through to construction, managing design risks and high-risk activities to lower residual risks on projects.

Amy Farr, Workman’s Head of Building Safety and Construction Compliance, said: “We’re seeing sustained demand from clients, particularly those managing large portfolios, who need clear, practical guidance on their obligations under CDM Regulations and the Building Safety Act.

“We’ve won major instructions from institutional clients who need support providing assets that are safe and allow their tenants to feel secure.

“Zoe strengthens our ability to deliver that assurance across increasingly complex projects.

“Her focus on eliminating risks early in the design process helps clients avoid delays, and creates safer outcomes for everyone involved.”

Building Safety Act work and regulator engagement

The appointment follows the introduction of the Building Safety Act, Workman said.

The firm said it has achieved one Building Assessment Certificate and one Gateway 2 approval with the Building Safety Regulator (BSR), alongside dialogue with BSR representatives on applications.

Workman said team members have also taken part in panel discussions and podcasts with organisations including the BSR and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).

Graham Oliphant joins Harmony Fire to lead its consultancy business

by Featured NewsPeople

Harmony Fire consultancy leadership appointment

Harmony Fire has appointed Graham Oliphant as Managing Director of its consultancy business.

The company announced the appointment as part of continued investment in consultancy in response to increased demand for its full service life safety capability.

Oliphant brings more than 23 years of life safety experience, most recently as Director of a UK national fire consultancy.

Harmony Fire said it operates nationally and provides life safety services to Housing Associations, Local Authorities and the National Health Service (NHS), spanning fire engineering consultancy, in-house design, delivery and ongoing maintenance.

Investment linked to demand and regulation

The company linked growth in its consultancy services to a more complex regulatory environment and said this required leaders to maintain continuous focus on life safety.

It also pointed to the launch of its open-source Life Guard Framework, which it said provides housing leaders with an approach to interrogate organisational risk assurance, and added that this has contributed to demand for its consultancy services.

Oliphant said: “Harmony Fire stands out in this specialist field as an innovative, agile organisation driving the transformational change that saves lives and makes communities safer.

“It’s incredibly exciting to be joining a business that is both bringing world-leading technology to the life safety market through its Auro brand, while simultaneously creating Life Guard, which demystifies leadership and organisational safety obligations to transform conversations and actions.”

“Our consultancy offer is rooted in our experience and technical expertise working across challenging and demanding property scenarios, recognising that life safety is not a tick box exercise but an essential element of an organisation’s asset management strategy.

“Applying our detailed knowledge of design, buildability, delivery and lifecycle considerations informs robust cost and scope analysis, eliminating uncertainty and future-proofing asset management decision making.”

CEO comments on consultancy direction

Warwick Melvin, CEO of Harmony Fire, said: “I’m thrilled that Graham has joined Harmony Fire at a pivotal moment for our business.

“We are committed to changing the outdated, inefficient and wasteful fire safety model that currently leads to sub-optimal safety outcomes for residents, blown budgets and increased legal and reputational risks.

“Working alongside many of the brightest and best within and outside the sector, our consultancy business and new framework approach is generating significant interest from housing leaders seeking a better way to efficiently invest in life safety assurance with real long-term legacy.

“As one of the UK’s leading fire safety engineering experts, Graham brings vast experience and a breadth and depth of knowledge and learning that can only enhance the service we provide to our growing customer base.

“I’m excited to see the impact that Graham will make within the business as we seek to transform cultures and approaches to life safety.”

The appointment adds a new managing director role within Harmony Fire’s consultancy business as the company continues to develop its Life Guard Framework and wider service offering.

Global HSE Group names Marc Cork Sales and Marketing Director

by Featured NewsPassivePeople

Global HSE Group appoints Marc Cork to executive team

Marc Cork has been promoted from National Sales Manager to Sales and Marketing Director at Global HSE Group and has joined the executive team.

Cork joined the company a year ago and has worked across sales, marketing and estimating teams.

The promotion is intended to support the next phase of growth, with a focus on customer service, compliance and long-term value.

Andrew Cooper, Managing Director at Global HSE Group, commented: “Marc has made a huge impact in a short space of time.

“He’s strengthened the way we support our customers, developed the team around him, and brought real pace and clarity to our commercial approach.

“This promotion is well deserved, and having Marc on the executive team is an important step as we continue to grow without compromising on quality or compliance.”

Role scope and early priorities

In its announcement, Global HSE Group described the promotion as strengthening commercial leadership and maintaining focus on customer service, compliance and long-term value.

The company said Cork’s leadership has strengthened its commercial approach and supported customers to access a wider range of services with clear, consistent support.

Marc Cork, Sales Director at Global HSE Group, added: “My first year at Global has been incredibly rewarding.

“We’ve won new clients, strengthened relationships with existing ones, and improved the way we work across sales, marketing and estimating.

“I’m proud of what the team has achieved so far, and I’m excited to build on that by keeping the focus on quality, compliance and doing the right thing for customers.”

Cork will take on the Sales and Marketing Director role after serving as National Sales Manager.

Fire-Dex VP appointment links operations and CEO succession plan

by Americas - Featured NewsFeatured NewsPeoplePPE

Fire-Dex appoints Maged Baskhron to operations leadership

Fire-Dex has appointed Maged Baskhron as Vice President of Operations.

Baskhron will align operational and strategic goals, strengthen cross-functional processes and support teams across the organisation.

His remit includes prioritising associate well-being, product quality and day-to-day execution to support the company’s focus on protecting manufacturing teams and frontline crews.

“Fire-Dex is mission-driven in a way you can feel on the factory floor and in the field,” Baskhron said.

“I’m eager to help our teams do their best work – build it right, deliver it right, and keep safety as the starting point.”

Role scope and leadership transition details

Fire-Dex outlined that Baskhron will support long-term execution while maintaining its people-first culture and operational values.

His background includes global manufacturing experience and previous roles as Project Manager and Industrial Engineer and Training Manager, working closely across the business under current Vice President of Operations John Karban.

The appointment forms part of a wider executive transition previously announced by the company.

Lauren Burke DeVere is due to assume the role of CEO in early 2026, partnering with current CEO Steve Allison ahead of his planned retirement in early 2027.

Karban will move into the role of President.

“To me, leadership is simple: show up for your people and be clear about what matters,” Baskhron said.

“When teams know the goal, have the support they need, and are relied on to make decisions, great work follows.

“That’s how we keep delivering for the departments and firefighters who need us to get it right.”

SFPE elects new President, President-Elect and Board for 2026

by Associations and OrganisationsBreaking NewsFire EngineeringPeople

SFPE leadership appointments for 2026

The Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE) has named Shamim Rashid-Sumar as its 2026 President and Shaun Kelly as its President-Elect.

SFPE announced the appointments on 20 January 2026 in Gaithersburg, Maryland.

Rashid-Sumar is Senior Vice President, Fire Codes and Standards at the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association.

Her role includes working with National Model Building Codes and International Standards Organizations and providing technical support on codes, standards, regulations and legislation at national, state and local level.

The release lists committee roles for Rashid-Sumar across bodies including the ICC, ASTM, ACI and NFPA.

Board elections and continuing directors

Jimmy Jönsson has been elected Secretary-Treasurer.

Virginia Charter, John Frank, Craig Vesely and Karl Wallasch have been elected to the SFPE Board of Directors.

Each will begin their term on 1 January 2026.

Chris Jelenewicz, Chief Executive Officer of SFPE, said: “SFPE’s strength lies in the dedication and vision of its volunteer leaders, and we are proud to welcome our newly elected Board of Directors.

“These accomplished professionals bring diverse perspectives and deep technical expertise that reflect the global fire protection engineering community.

“Their leadership will be instrumental as SFPE continues to advance innovation, support the profession, and expand our impact in improving fire safety worldwide.”

The release said John Denhardt, Mark Hopkings, Elizabeth (Carcone) Pennacchio, Jeffrey Tubbs and Michael Wojcik will continue their service on the Society’s Board of Directors.

SFPE said it will solicit nominations for 2027 leadership roles in the coming months.