Michelle Skeer to lead HMICFRS on interim basis from April

by Featured NewsPeople

First woman named interim HMICFRS Chief Inspector

Michelle Skeer OBE QPM has been appointed interim Chief Inspector of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services and will take up the role on 1 April 2026.

His Majesty’s Chief Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) announced that His Majesty the King had approved the appointment, with Skeer succeeding Sir Andy Cooke after he leaves office in March 2026.

Skeer joined HMICFRS in 2023 as His Majesty’s Inspector.

She has overseen inspections of police forces and fire and rescue services across the north of England.

She has also held national responsibility for inspecting domestic abuse, child protection and police engagement with women and girls.

HMICFRS said Skeer brings 36 years of combined experience across policing and fire and rescue.

She will be the first woman to hold the position of His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services.

In 2018, she became the first woman appointed Chief Constable at Cumbria Constabulary.

Her national roles have included serving as Vice Chair of the National Police Chiefs’ Council and leading the management of violent and sexual offenders.

In 2017, she received the Queen’s Policing Medal for distinguished service.

In 2019, she became President of the British Association of Women in Policing.

She was awarded an OBE in the King’s 2023 Birthday Honours List.

Appointment takes effect in April 2026

HMICFRS said Skeer was designated as interim chief inspector by the Home Secretary following an expression-of-interest process open to serving His Majesty’s Inspectors.

The interim appointment was made in line with the Governance Code on Public Appointments.

Skeer said: “I am honoured to be appointed to this important role at a pivotal time for police forces and fire & rescue services.

“The inspectorate plays a vital role in identifying problems early, supporting sustainable improvements and promoting best practice.

“I look forward to building on the strong foundations established by Sir Andy Cooke.

“I am committed to making sure HMICFRS continues to provide independent, evidence-based oversight, firmly focused on ensuring the public receives the service they expect and deserve.

“Our work is essential to making communities safer.”

The appointment process for a permanent chief inspector is being managed by the Home Office.

HMICFRS independently assesses the effectiveness and efficiency of police forces and fire and rescue services.

Home Office and IBM partner on Emergency Services Network

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Frontline emergency services will benefit from a new communications network, as the government announces a new partnership with IBM following a series of delays by previous suppliers. 

The Emergency Services Network (ESN) will support more than 300,000 emergency responders in Great Britain, providing them with better technology and faster access to data in emergency situations and frontline operations. 

Police forces, fire services and ambulance trusts will be able to share live data and imagery, location reports and essential public safety information as they work on time-critical rescue and response efforts. 

After several delays to the rollout of ESN over recent years, the government is committing to delivering the project as quickly as possible, helping to save lives as a result. The Policing Minister, Dame Diana Johnson, will chair regular meetings to ensure the project is running to time and cost.

Providing the emergency services with improved technology is a key part of the government’s drive to make the nation’s streets safer, which is a crucial part of the Prime Minister’s Plan for Change.

Minister for Policing, Fire and Crime Prevention, Dame Diana Johnson’s statement

Minister for Policing, Fire and Crime Prevention, Dame Diana Johnson, said: “Every day our brave emergency services help members of the public facing life-or-death situations.

“We must do everything we can to maximise the chances of successful outcomes and communications between frontline staff is critical to ensuring this. 

“This government is working tirelessly to support this project, making sure it is delivered in a timely and cost-effective manner and IBM will be an important part of bringing the Emergency Services Network online.”

Managing Partner, IBM UK and Ireland, Rahul Kalia’s statement

Rahul Kalia, Managing Partner at IBM UK and Ireland, said: “We are proud to support the Emergency Services Network (ESN) in delivering a secure and resilient communications platform to empower frontline emergency services.  

“Working with our ecosystem partners, we will deliver mission-critical services for first responders to enhance safety in our communities across Great Britain. 

“We look forward to working with the government to deliver this in a timely and cost-effective manner.”

Features of the software

Software for new handheld devices will provide data-sharing functions and real-time video features, providing personnel with the critical information they need to save lives, as well as a push-to-talk protocol for instant communications. 

One real-world example of how the network could work is in a serious road traffic collision:

  • The first service to arrive would be able share their exact location using GPS data with the other services
  • Fire services would be instantly updated with the make and model of vehicle, which can then be cross-referenced with data on how to best use cutting equipment, if someone was trapped, or where batteries are located on electric cars
  • They could also update paramedics with passenger details to check medical information and determine if there is anything they need to know such as prior medical conditions
  • This would greatly speed up dealing with the incident and the ability to aid the victims involved

Led by the Home Office, ESN will implement the next generation of fast, safe and secure voice, video, and data communication, allowing emergency services to work in tandem and coordinate efforts when protecting and aiding members of the public. 

Similar technology has already been rolled out with success in countries including the USA, Canada and South Korea.

As the new user services supplier, IBM will be responsible for leading the design, build and system integration of the ESN platform.

Key to achieving this will be IBM’s delivery of IT infrastructure, which will be fundamental to ensuring improved and more efficient communication capabilities for mission-critical services.

ESN launched to support more than 300,000 emergency responders in Great Britain: Summary

The Emergency Services Network has been created out of a partnership between the Home Office and IBM. The Managing Director of IBM said that the platform will empower frontline emergency services.

FIA supports PSTN transition efforts led by BSIA

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The UK telecoms industry is in the process of retiring the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), concluding by January 2027.

The role that alarms play in preventing fatalities and damage to buildings and infrastructure makes this project one of the Government’s key priorities in the PSTN migration.

Many fire and security alarms alert alarm receiving centres (ARCs), via the PSTN and may lose connectivity if they are not upgraded ahead of time.

The Fire Industry Association (FIA) has been actively involved in the Fire & Security Advisory Board (F&SAB), working alongside the British Security Industry Association (BSIA) in supporting government efforts to manage risks associated with the ongoing retirement of the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN).

The BSIA has taken the lead in an initiative to assess the number of fire and security alarm systems still reliant on the ageing PSTN infrastructure.

Alarm systems

This project, supported by the Home Office and the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology (DSIT), aims to ensure continued connectivity for alarm systems as the network is phased out by January 2027.

Alarm Receiving Centres (ARCs) are urged to submit data on their completed and pending PSTN customer migrations and receiver line numbers by 31st January 2025.

This data will be important in developing mitigation strategies to prevent alarm failures and ensure public safety. The FIA acknowledges the collaborative efforts of the BSIA and the broader industry in this vital initiative.

The BSIA are leading PTSN transition efforts: Summary

The BSIA’s PTSN transition efforts has been supported by FIA. The BSIA are taking the lead in assessing the number of fire and security alarm systems still reliant on the PSTN infrastructure.