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Wayne Bowcock, Chief Fire Officer of Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS), has announced that he will retire in March 2026, marking the end of a 33-year career spanning five different fire and rescue services.
Bowcock, who took up the role of Chief Fire Officer in June 2021, has led RBFRS through a period of significant progress and change. During his tenure, he championed a “One Team” approach, highlighting the crucial role played by staff in every part of the organisation in keeping communities safe.
Reflecting on his time at the service, Bowcock described leading RBFRS as an “incredible privilege” and praised the dedication of its workforce. He said staff had consistently put the community first and expressed confidence that the service would continue to build on its successes in the years ahead.
Councillor Jeff Brooks, Chair of Royal Berkshire Fire Authority, thanked Bowcock for his leadership and commitment, describing his time in post as “hugely successful.” He added that Bowcock’s knowledge and experience had been invaluable to the Authority and confirmed that the process to appoint his successor would begin soon.
Under Bowcock’s leadership, RBFRS achieved several key milestones. The most recent inspection by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabularies and Fire and Rescue Services, published in April 2025, rated the service ‘good’ in eight areas and ‘adequate’ in three. He also oversaw the development of the 2023–2027 Community Risk Management Plan and Our Culture Plan, designed to ensure staff feel proud to belong to the organisation.
Investment in modern facilities and equipment has been another focus of his tenure. The reprofiling of estates funding delivered upgrades such as dignified facilities, decontamination areas and sustainability measures. A major project, the new Learning and Development Centre, opened in July 2025, providing state-of-the-art training facilities.
Beyond Berkshire, Bowcock has contributed to the wider fire sector through his role as Leadership Development Strategic Lead with the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC). As an NFCC trustee, he supported national governance and coordinated efforts to deliver equipment to firefighters in Ukraine, with RBFRS donating four vehicles and vital gear including breathing apparatus, water rescue equipment, PPE and generators.
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