NFCC Chair

Mark Hardingham is the Chair of the NFCC, elected into the role in April 2021 and serving until 2025. He provides professional advice to Government, the Home Secretary and the Minister with responsibility for the fire and rescue service.  He works closely with the Government’s inspectorate of the fire and rescue service, national employers and other national and international fire service bodies.

Mark began his fire service career 33 years ago in Essex and served across many fire stations and in many roles.  He was appointed as the Deputy Chief Fire Officer in Suffolk in 2010 and then Chief Fire Officer and County Council Director in 2013-2021. Alongside his Chief Fire Officer role he held Director responsibilities in the Council for Highways, Passenger Transport, Emergency Planning, Trading Standards, Community Safety, Equality and Inclusion and Health & Safety.

Mark was previously the Chair of one of the NFCC’s eight national committees – focused primarily on fire safety arrangements in buildings.  His work concentrated mainly on fire safety in high rise residential buildings following the Grenfell Tower fire.

Mark is an alumnus of Windsor Leadership having participated on the Experienced Leaders Programme.