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Matt Cook is to take over leadership of Avon Fire and Rescue Service when current Chief Officer Simon Shilton retires later this spring.
Currently Deputy Chief Fire Officer in West Sussex, Cook started his career started as a firefighter in Hampshire in 2001. Since then, he has worked for London Fire Brigade and Oxfordshire before joining West Sussex in May 2024. He said is “honoured” to take on the role of chief.
Simon Shilton retires after a 32 year career in the fire and rescue service. He said in November when he announced his intention to leave, that he did so with a “heavy heart.”
Cook takes over at a time when the service is still dealing with the fall out from its inspection report published in November 2023 that outlined a range of concerns and graded four of its inspection areas as ‘inadequate.’ HMICFRS has issued a number of follow up letters since then setting out how the service is responding to various causes of concerns, the latest of which was published in October 2024 and addressed progress in prevention, culture, mobilisation and assessment of risk.
Interim Chair of Avon Fire Authority, Paul Goggin, welcomed Cook to the service, he said: “Matt’s extensive experience and forward-thinking approach make him the ideal leader for Avon Fire and Rescue Service. His commitment to innovation, public safety, and workforce development will be instrumental in driving the Service forward.”
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