Chief Fire Officer Mark Preece to retire on 1 October 2026

Mark joined the Service in December 2019 as the Assistant Chief Fire Officer, being promoted to Deputy Chief Fire Officer in 2020 and then to Executive Director of Community Safety and Chief Fire Officer in 2022. His long career in fire and rescue started in 1991 when he joined Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service as a firefighter going on to serve in a number of key roles.

He has led Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service (GFRS) through a period of significant change and challenge, with a focus on strengthening service delivery, improving culture and modernising the service to meet the needs of Gloucestershire's communities.

During his time as Deputy and Chief Fire Officer, Mark has overseen a number of important achievements, including:

• The community focused Community Safety directorate response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including GFRS supporting vaccination centres, delivering essential supplies and assisting the ambulance service to help protect our most vulnerable, and the coroners team providing services during extremely difficult and distressing circumstances.
• Securing investment in critical operational resources, including new fire appliances.
• Increasing workforce capacity through the creation of an additional 44 posts.
• Driving the modernisation of the Service with a strong focus on engagement, transparency and continuous improvement.
• Successfully addressing the three HMICFRS Causes for Concern and leading the Service out of the HMICFRS Engage process.
• Supporting improvements following the Independent Cultural Review, including the introduction of the Workplace Charter.
• Introducing new firefighter uniforms, including the return of traditional blue shirts featuring the Service crest.
• Supporting the trading standards team in delivering their largest seizure of illegal cigarettes and sentencing of a firework supplier in relation to breaches of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Explosives Regulations 2014 earlier this year.

Mark Preece, Chief Fire Officer and Director of Community Safety, said: "It has been a privilege to serve the people of Gloucestershire and to lead Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service. I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved together, particularly during some of the most challenging periods the Service has faced.

"Everything we have accomplished has been made possible by the dedication, professionalism and commitment of colleagues across the organisation. I would like to thank everyone I have worked with over the years and I look forward to seeing the Service continue to go from strength to strength in the future."

Cllr Paul Hodgkinson, cabinet member with responsibility for the fire and rescue service, said: "On behalf of Gloucestershire County Council, I would like to thank Mark for his outstanding service and leadership.

"Mark has led Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service through a period of considerable change, while maintaining a clear focus on keeping our communities safe. His leadership has helped deliver significant improvements across the Service, strengthen its culture and secure investment in the people and resources needed to meet future challenges.

"While there is still time before his retirement, it is only right that we recognise the lasting contribution he has made to Gloucestershire. I wish Mark every success and happiness in his retirement."

When it meets on 2 July 2026, the council's Appointments Committee will consider options for recruiting a new Chief Fire Officer and Executive Director of Community Safety. The recommended approach is to launch recruitment in 2027. Subject to the committee's decision, temporary leadership arrangements will be put in place ahead of Mark's retirement.

Further updates will be provided following the Appointments Committee meeting.