![](https://emergencyservicestimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/ESS-Button-resized.png")
Chief Fire Officer Simon Hardiman is set to return to his post after a lengthy investigation into his conduct, which included reports of his misogynistic and offensive WhatsApp messages about former Shropshire staff, concluded with a written warning, mandatory training and a statement by the fire authority that the matter is now closed.
In April, ITN News reported that Hardiman and his former assistant chief both sent messages suggesting they wanted to kill or harm female colleagues. ITV News’ UK Editor, Paul Brand spoke to former Shropshire Area Manager, Jan Morris, about her experience of receiving some of these messages and she said at the time that she was taking the fire authority to an employment tribunal.
A spokesperson for Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service said at the time, “These complaints are being externally and independently investigated and we will take all appropriate actions when it has been completed.”
While this took place, the fire authority brought in new leadership, with West Midlands Fire Service’s Sam Burton promoted to the role of acting Deputy Chief Fire Officer in June. She then brought in another WMFS staffer, Karen Gowreesunker and Humberside’s Chris Kirby to bolster the leadership team.
The fire authority said that its Personnel Panel had met and ‘taken appropriate action’ confirming that Hardiman would be returning to work.
“The Fire Authority commissioned an independent and external investigation to look into the complaints raised against CFO Hardiman.
“The Personnel Panel considered the information provided from that investigation and have gone through due process in their decision-making. The action taken was to impose a written warning and a mandatory training requirement. The matter is now closed. I am pleased CFO Hardiman will now be coming back to work.”
Councillor David Minnery, Chair, Shropshire Fire Authority.
Hardiman responded to the news recognising that this had been “an unsettling time for the service” and apologised for the “upset that has been caused” adding that the reporting didn’t “represent” him “as an individual” and acknowledged there are lessons to be learned.
The service did not provide any detail on whether the acting Deputy Chief Fire Officer would remain in her role nor about a replacement for ACFO Guy Williams who retired from the service late last month.
The full report from ITN’s Paul Brand can be found here.
