Our Senior Leadership Team
Sherine Wheeler,
Chief Executive
Sherine joined Fire Fighters Charity in April 2024. Having had a successful early career in finance and assurance services, Sherine previously held several leadership roles in the charity sector, including as Chief Executive of Mayhew. She brings extensive experience of working to broaden the reach and deepen the impact of charities, including at Marie Curie, Action for Children and Young Lives vs Cancer. She has also advised a number of charities on strategy, impact and performance.
Sharon Bailey,
Director of Services
Sharon joined Fire Fighters Charity as a Registered Nurse in 1995 and was part of the original team who implemented the charity’s first rehabilitation and nursing services. Before joining the charity, Sharon worked for the NHS within the field of orthopaedic nursing. She has held a number of roles within the organisation, overseeing service development and change, and is responsible for the leadership and management of our services
Joss Gaynor, Director of Impact and Service Partnerships
Joss has over 20 years’ experience working within health and social care charities driving operational, research, and strategic functions. Joss has extensive experience working with vulnerable populations in both front-line drug and alcohol treatment settings and within policy and strategic functions. She has led on the development and implementation of national innovation and research projects, influencing both local and national structures to develop creative and novel solutions. Joss has significant expertise building strong relationships with diverse stakeholders, such as clinicians, researchers and policymakers.
Ellie Rocks, Director of Fundraising
Ellie joined Fire Fighters Charity in November 2024 and is responsible for the charity’s voluntary income. Ellie has previously held several leadership roles in fundraising including Associate Director of Fundraising at Teenage Cancer Trust. She brings a range of experience in diversifying and growing income across high value and public fundraising income streams.
Ashley Fryer, Director of Engagement
Ashley joined Fire Fighters Charity in November 2024 as Director of Engagement. Ashley brings extensive experience leading communications and media teams at major charities, including Save the Children International, Macmillan Cancer Support and St John Ambulance. She also spent a formative chapter of her early career working in the London Fire Brigade’s press office.
Chris Goonan,
Director of People, Governance and Compliance
Chris has worked in the voluntary sector in leadership roles for several years and joined Fire Fighters Charity in 2011, moving from a children and families charity where she was Director of Resources. With a broad range of experience in human resources she has also been responsible for leading and developing a variety of organisational support functions.
Richard Jenkins, Director of Business Development, Estates and Facilities
Richard leads our multifaceted business development, estates, facilities and customer care functions across the organisation. He has extensive experience in leading both hard and soft estates, facilities and operations services in both commercial services and not for profit organisations. Richard joined Fire Fighters Charity in 2017 as Operations Manager at Harcombe House.
Lizzie McGilveray,
Director of Finance
Lizzie joined Fire Fighters Charity in September 2024 and is responsible for the charity’s financial leadership and management. Having qualified as an ICAEW Chartered Accountant with PwC, she has extensive experience as a Finance Director across charitable, not-for-profit and commercial entities. Lizzie has worked across a range of sectors including as Group Finance Director at Crown Agents and as an Operational Finance Director at the Royal Mail.
Our Board of Trustees
John Baines (Chair)
John served with Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service from 1990 to 2020, retiring as Assistant Chief Fire Officer. He co-led national reviews of operational guidance for Incident Command and previously led the Community Safety Group, focusing on emergency response, resilience, and community engagement.
Neil Gibbins, QFSM (Deputy Chair)
Neil served 37 years in the fire service, retiring as Deputy Chief Fire Officer of Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service. He was also lead officer for fire protection for the UK Chief Fire Officers Association. He is currently the fire safety lead for CROSS-UK, the confidential reporting system, and sits on the Advisory Group for The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS).
Simon Routh-Jones CBE, QFSM
Simon retired as Chief Fire Officer and Chief Executive of Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service in 2016 and later became HM Chief Inspector for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. He is an advisor in the Resilience Advisors Network and works with the Emergency Planning College.
George Wood
George is a Chartered Accountant with extensive experience in senior charity finance roles over the past twenty years. He began his career in management consultancy and internal audit before moving into financial services and charity leadership. He continues to work in the not-for-profit sector, bringing his financial expertise to various organisations.
Chris Bilby
Chris retired as Assistant Divisional Officer with Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service after a 32-year operational career. He ran his service’s Technical Rescue Team and maintains strong ties to the fire service through national advisory and charity roles. Chris is also a trustee for the Institution of Fire Engineers and works in learning and development at National Highways.
Michael Graham
Michael served with Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service for over 30 years, retiring as Chief Fire and Rescue Officer in 2021. He previously worked as an instructor at the National Fire Service College and has a background in leadership development. He currently serves as a Non-Executive Member of the Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Service (NIBTS) and is involved in the Pathology Blueprint Programme.
Ross Haggart CBE, KFSM
Ross retired as Chief Officer of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service on 31 October 2024, after 30 years of service. He remains closely involved with the fire service and community resilience efforts.
Shantha Dickinson
Shantha is the Deputy Chief Officer of Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service, responsible for policy development, performance, assurance, and organizational learning. She began her career as an officer in the British Army before transitioning to the fire sector.
Roger Thomas, KFSM
Roger is the Chief Fire Officer of Mid & West Wales Fire & Rescue Service. He began his fire service career in 1996 and has served in a variety of roles, including training delivery, organisational development, community risk reduction, and national resilience. He is also a Trustee of the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC), Vice Chair of Swansea and Neath Port Talbot Public Services Boards, and Senior Responsible Officer for the Wales Safer Communities Network.
Peter Connolly
Peter is Deputy Director for Digital Services, Incident Management & Resilience at the Environment Agency, leading development and delivery of pioneering digital solutions. He has expertise in digital transformation, business operations, change management, and incident management. In addition to his digital role, Peter has been a Tactical Commander for over 15 years, leading the response to, and recovery from, environmental incidents – including flooding, fire, and pollution events.
Steve Tolan
Steve is the Deputy Chief Allied Health Professions Officer for NHS England, with a clinical background in physiotherapy. He led the Allied Health Professional pandemic response in London and is a non-executive director for a health and care innovation hub, Care City.
