Following a rigorous recruitment process, the Commissioners for South Wales Fire and Rescue Authority have announced the appointment of Air Vice-Marshal Fin Monahan OBE DFC PhD as the new Chief Fire Officer.
Air Vice-Marshal Fin Monahan joins the South Wales Fire and Rescue Service (SWFRS) from a distinguished career as a fast jet pilot and senior leader in the Royal Air Force and Ministry of Defence. He has completed numerous operational tours overseas and has been stationed across the UK.
While based in Yorkshire, he led the RAF’s support to civilian authorities for the North of England, Southern Scotland, and the Isle of Man, including maintaining a 24/7 rapid response team and Mountain Rescue coverage. Although not a firefighter by profession, he previously commanded a fire station and underwent basic firefighting and breathing apparatus training in preparation for deployment on aircraft carrier operations. Currently, he serves as the Director of ‘Defence Futures’, the MOD’s think tank at the Defence Academy, Shrivenham.
Commissioner Carl Foulkes, chair of the appointment panel, commented: “Throughout this recruitment process, the Commissioners were acutely aware of the importance of finding an exceptional leader to guide the service through the cultural and organisational changes it faces. The Morris Review published in January called on the service to broaden its approach to recruitment for senior-level posts, which is why we extended the search outside the fire and rescue sector.
“We worked with executive search advisors, GatenbySanderson, and were pleased to receive applications from a diverse group of people from across the UK, both from within the fire and rescue sector and the wider public sector. At the end of five days of exercises, panels, and interviews, Fin Monahan stood out as the best and right person for the role, and we are delighted that he has accepted the invitation to join and lead the service.”
Air Vice-Marshal Monahan holds master’s degrees from both the University of Nottingham and the University of Madras, and he was awarded a Doctorate PhD on Organisational Culture from the University of Birmingham in 2018. He is a published writer and has extensively researched culture and how to instil courage, morale, respect, and cohesion in uniformed organisations.
Monahan stated, “I look forward to joining the South Wales Fire and Rescue Service team. I would like every staff member, regardless of their role or location, to feel proud of their work, and to join me and the leadership team to rebuild the service into an organisation where everyone feels welcome, supported, and safe. That will help us build the cohesion and mutual support needed to fulfil our mission of keeping the 1.5 million citizens of South Wales safe.”
Air Vice-Marshal Monahan will assume the role of Chief Fire Officer once all necessary background and security checks are completed. In the meantime, Stuart Millington will continue as interim CFO to ensure a smooth handover process with Air Vice-Marshal Monahan.
The Commissioners and Air Vice-Marshal Monahan will be in close contact as they begin the process of appointing a permanent Executive Leadership Team.
