North Wales Fire and Rescue Service has today announced it will welcome a new Deputy Chief Fire Officer early next year.

Stewart Forshaw, currently Director of Service Development and temporary Assistant Chief Fire Officer at Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, will be taking on the new role as Deputy to Chief Fire Officer Dawn Docx.

Stuart Millington has also been appointed permanently into the role of Assistant Chief Fire Officer.

They will both form key components of the Service Leadership Team in North Wales.

Stewart Forshaw, an experienced fire officer and leader, will be moving to North Wales from Greater Manchester having also previously worked in Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service for 28 years, where he joined as an Apprentice Firefighter. He has undertaken numerous roles across various departments and played a key role in managing several significant projects. 

He said: “I am absolutely delighted to be taking on this role in North Wales and am looking forward to joining such an excellent fire and rescue service.

“I have no doubt that these remain challenging times for all of us but they are also times of great potential offering a unique opportunity to reimagine how we work, for accelerated learning and for innovation.”

Stuart Millington began his career at Clwyd Fire Service, later becoming North Wales Fire and Rescue Service, where he held numerous roles before moving to work at Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service for six years and returning to North Wales as Area Manager in 2014 and subsequently temporary Assistant Chief Fire Officer. He said: “I am pleased to become a permanent member of the leadership team and look forward to working with a new Deputy and to tackling some of the challenges ahead as we look to the future.”

Cllr Peter Lewis, Chair of North Wales Fire and Rescue Authority said: “I am pleased that we have been able to finalise these appointments with such exceptional candidates. I am confident they will both rise to the challenge of maintaining the high standards for which North Wales Fire and Rescue Service is renowned, and look forward to working with them both.”

Dawn Docx said: “Both appointments represent a new chapter for the Service – these are individuals who possess extensive experience and bring with them a wealth of knowledge. I have no doubt they will make a fantastic contribution to protecting our communities in North Wales.”