Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service has appointed Craig Flannery as its new Chief Fire Officer.

Mr Flannery has spent more than 20 years with the service, holding leadership roles across operational and non-operational areas. His experience includes leading the On-Call Improvement Programme, developing workforce initiatives, and overseeing investment in information and communication technology.

The appointment followed a multi-stage recruitment process conducted by the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Authority. Candidates were assessed through structured interviews, leadership exercises, and scenario-based tasks, with external assessors providing independent oversight to ensure fairness and transparency.

Mr Flannery emerged as the strongest candidate, demonstrating “exceptional strategic leadership capability, deep organisational knowledge and a clear commitment to community safety and service improvement.”

Cllr John Davies, Chair of Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Authority, said: “Craig brings a deep understanding of our Service and a clear vision for its future. His appointment will strengthen our ability to innovate, support our workforce and deliver high-quality protection for the communities we serve.

“As we navigate a rapidly changing landscape, Craig’s experience in driving innovation and organisational development will be invaluable in helping us transform and adapt for the future.”

Commenting on his appointment, Chief Fire Officer Flannery said: “It is a privilege to lead this outstanding Service. I am committed to supporting our people, strengthening our partnerships and building on the strong foundations already in place.

“As the challenges facing fire and rescue services continue to evolve, we must innovate, modernise and ensure we have the skills, technology and capability to meet the needs of our communities.

“I look forward to working alongside colleagues and partners across Mid and West Wales to deliver a modern, progressive and resilient Service that keeps people safe and places our staff at the heart of everything we do."