Executive Team

Within the constitution of the ‘Authority’, The Chief Fire Officer/Chief Executive has delegated authority and ultimate responsibility for the running of the Fire and Rescue Service in Essex. 

The assist with this, the Chief Fire Officer appoints Directors (Principal Officers) who form the Service Executive Team.

Click here to visit the PFCC website
 

Chief Fire Officer/Chief Executive

Rick Hylton

As Chief Fire Officer/Chief Executive, Rick has delegated authority and ultimate responsibility for the running of the Fire and Rescue Service in Essex. He appoints Directors who form the Service Leadership Team.

Rick says: “I am exceptionally proud to lead this great organisation alongside Chris.

“It is our role to make sure all of our colleagues flourish and provide the best possible service to the people of Essex.

“Our ambition is to be one of the best fire and rescue services in the country – it is what our communities deserve, and it is an ambition that I believe is achievable.”

A portrait head and shoulders photograph of our Chief Fire Officer Rick Hylton. He is wearing a white shirt and black tie.
 

More about Rick

Rick started his fire service career with Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service in 1997.  

He served as a firefighter at Cambridge alongside being an on-call firefighter in Sawston, before moving to the Training Centre in 2002 where he delivered a range of training to new and existing firefighters. 

In 2003, he moved to Stanground fire station as a Watch Manager, then progressed through various roles before being appointed as Area Manager and Head of Community Safety in 2010. In this role he championed a new approach to targeted home safety which included focusing on data sharing arrangements with partners to identify, triage and deliver to the most vulnerable as well as introducing the Service's first volunteer scheme.   

Rick led a review of the protection function, introducing the business safety competence framework, including the up skilling of operational crews and delivering the county’s business safety hub. This was a joint initiative between the district and county council that built upon primary authority schemes to provide businesses with a simpler process to access advice from a range of regulators.  

Rick was also responsible for HR, Learning and Development and recruitment, and developed a range of development programmes to support the progression of staff across the organisation.  

In 2015 Rick led the service to achieve Excellence in equality and inclusion.    

A year later, Rick was appointed Assistant Chief Fire Officer with responsibilities for service delivery and operational support. Here he led the Service Integrated Risk Management Plan (IRMP) implementation including changes to crewing systems and the introduction of portable misting systems for vulnerable people. Rick was the executive officer responsible for leading Cambridgeshire through the first His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) inspection process.    

Rick joined Essex County Fire and Rescue Service in 2019 as Deputy Chief Fire Officer. He had responsibilities for strategic planning, assurance and performance and was the strategic lead for collaboration, working with partners to deliver on the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner’s local business case.  

In January 2022, Rick became Chief Fire Officer and Chief Executive for the Service.  

Since 2022, Rick has focussed the Service on ensuring it is best delivering the needs of local communities, creating a working environment to help people be successful, as well as building the capacity and capability of the Service for the future.  

During that time, the Service has increased the amount of prevention work it carries out, has rebuilt the capacity needed within its fire protection department and invested in training and technology to ensure it is best placed to support its people in meeting the changing risks and needs of its local communities. 

In 2024, Essex County Fire and Rescue Service received a gold award from the Public Sector Transformation Awards and received a silver award from Inclusive Employers –at the time, the highest award achieved by a fire and rescue service. 

Rick is the chair of the Essex Resilience Forum and co-led the Strategic Coordination Group throughout the pandemic 

He also led the National Fire Chief Council Home Safety Committee from 2015 and in 2023 became the NFCC Prevention Committee Chair. In 2025 he became the Vice Chair of the National Fire Chiefs Council.  

Rick has a master’s in public administration from Warwick University. He is married with two children and a frequently frustrated Sunderland FC fan.  

 

Deputy Chief Fire Officer - Director of Resilience and Preparedness

Chris Else

Chris supports the Chief Fire Officer in ensuring the delivery of Service through the effective and safe discharging of organisational policy in order to meet statutory duties, supporting our core mission of making Essex safer together. 

Chris' key responsibilities:

  • To deputise for the CFO in their absence 

  • Responsible for providing arrangements that oversee and assure all aspects of delivery of service against statutory duties, national guidance, fire standards and improvement objectives 

  • To provide leadership and strategic oversight of major incidents and emergencies ensuring compliance with incident command protocols and post incident review, act as key liaison with external emergency services and government agencies as a member of the Principle Officers Command Team 

  • Responsible for risk identification. Ensuring the Service has capability to respond safely and effectively to foreseeable risk including the production and effective management of the Strategic Risk Register and Strategic Assessment of Risk 

  • Responsible for the identification of and planning for the Service response to all foreseeable risk, working across directorates to anticipate, prepare for and respond to risks which may materialise in the short to medium term 

  • To hold Service to account for the delivery of performance, ensuring it delivers improvements in efficiency, effectiveness, and value for money 

  • Lead Executive Officer responsible for ensuring the Service is compliant with the Health and Safety at work Act 

  • Responsible for effective business continuity arrangements to enable the Authority to always discharge its legal responsibilities including but not limited to - times of Industrial Action.  

  • Lead Executive Officer for Performance and Resource Board  

Deputy Chief Fire Officer Chris Else
 

More about Chris

Chris brings 27 years of experience from Kent Fire and Rescue Service. He has developed a deep understanding of fire and rescue operations, leading significant strategic projects that have enhanced service delivery, resilience, and firefighter training.

Throughout his career, Chris has been committed to ensuring the highest standards in public safety.

His leadership experience spans multiple critical areas, including training and development, fire control, the Channel Tunnel, resilience, and health and safety.

He has also played a key role on the Corporate Management Board and Strategic Leadership Board at Kent Fire and Rescue Service for the past six years, helping to shape the organisation’s long-term vision and strategy.

A passionate advocate for inclusive and authentic leadership, Chris believes in fostering a positive and people-focused culture. He is dedicated to developing strong, high-performing teams that are empowered to make a difference. His leadership approach is built on trust, collaboration, and innovation. 

Chris is married with three adult children and enjoys an active lifestyle. He has a love for travelling, walking, and especially skiing, and is always looking for new adventures and challenges.

 

Assistant Chief Fire Officer - Director of Service Delivery

James Taylor

James is responsible for providing arrangements that oversee and assure all aspects of delivery of service against statutory duties.  

James' key responsibilities:

  • Responsible for effectively discharging responsibilities under the Fire Safety Act 2005 including the discharging of duties under the Building Safety Regulator and subsequent changes arising from the Fire Safety Bill.  

  • Responsible for the effective discharging of legal, moral and ethical responsibilities to prevent harm to the public through prevention activities inc compliance with Children's Act and safeguarding aligned with objectives set within the Community Risk Management Plan 

  • Responsible for the safe and effective response to emergencies ensuring all operational teams are well equipped, trained and prepared to respond to all foreseeable emergencies with the aim of saving life, protecting property and safeguarding the environment  

  • Responsible for the development and implementation of service delivery strategies aligned with service goals and statutory requirements, contribute to long term planning to enhance capability, aligning  operational resources  with service the community risk management plan 

  • To provide leadership and strategic oversight of major incidents and emergencies ensuring compliance with incident command protocols and post incident review, act as key liaison with external emergency services and government agencies as a member of the Principle Officers Command Team 

  • To build strong relationships with local authorities, emergency services and community organisation, represent the service at local, regional and national forums, advocate for public safety initiatives and partnerships that enhance service delivery 

  • To monitor performance against key metrics and implement improvements where needed 

Assistant Chief Fire Officer James Taylor
 

More about James

James has been in the fire service for over 27 years and is the Temporary Assistant Chief Fire Officer with responsibility for Service Delivery. He was an on-call firefighter in Hertfordshire before joining Essex as a wholetime firefighter in 1999. He has held a number of roles within Prevention and Response and was previously the Area Manager for Assurance and Risk, which also included Operations, Emergency Preparedness and Resilience, Health and Safety and Special Operations. He is a National Interagency Liaison Officer and is the Strategic Lead for NOL / JOL, Marauding Terrorism Attacks (MTA) and civil incursions at Stansted Airport.

James is currently undertaking the National NFCC Fire Service Executive Leadership Programme, and operationally James has served as bronze, silver and gold commander and represents ECFRS at a Strategic/Gold Incident Command level.  

James has been involved in extensive partnership, collaboration and community risk reduction and is proud of the relationship that the Service maintains with the communities of Essex.

James is a keen walker and outdoor enthusiast, travelling to Scotland to complete the Munro’s when time allows with his two dogs.

 

Director of Public Affairs and Engagement (Shared role with the Office of the Police Fire and Crime Commissioner)

Emily Cheyne-Guess

Emily leads on public affairs, communications, and be responsible for the strategic leadership and shaping of communications and engagement work with our communities and other stakeholders, ensuring transparency, accountability and local visibility of Services.  

Emily's key responsibilities:

  • Responsible for ensuring the Service is compliant with legal duties to warn and inform the public in preparing and responding to emergencies 

  • Provision of clear and transparent information regarding the role and work of the PFCC and the performance of Essex County Fire and Rescue Service to the public.    

  • Lead on the development and implementation of an effective approach to communications and public affairs and preparedness across ECFRS and for the OPFCC. 

  • Support the Chief Fire Officer and PFCC in developing a clear and effective long- term vision and strategy for fire and rescue services in Essex – including leading on the development and continual review of the PFCC’s major policy documents, including the Fire and Rescue Plan.    

  • Provide high quality strategic advice to the CFO and PFCC in relation to corporate affairs, public policy issues and strategic communications, including liaising with Government departments, other agencies and professional organisations to ensure that the CFO and the PFCC remains up to date with and actively contributes to legislative and other national developments.  

  • To act as the Deputy Monitoring Officer to the PFCC and PFCCFRA and line manager to the Executive Office of the Chief Fire Officer 

  • Oversee the delivery of a proactive, public facing programme of strategic communications and engagement, ensuring that ECFRS and the PFCC is visible and accessible to all the diverse communities of Essex.  

  • To ensure information and campaigns meet the needs of our communities and “end user” working  with prevention, protection and operational teams to shape local engagement work that actively supports and engages the communities we serve, including being part of the culture and community panel, and Essex Independent Advisory Groups.     

  • To act as principal advisor to the CFO and PFCC on matters of corporate communications, crisis communications and brand advancement 

Emily Cheyne-Guess at our headquarters in Kelvedon
 

More about Emily

Emily is the Assistant Director Communications, Marketing, Brand and Community Engagement for Essex County Fire and Rescue Service, and is responsible for leading a multi-disciplinary communications, marketing and engagement department, delivering internal communications, driving behavioural change, brand recognition, PR, public affairs and crisis communications. 

Emily joined the fire service in 2015. She has reshaped the way the Service delivers its communications and marketing and has led the communications that underpin the cultural change journey. 

In 2018, the communications team was nationally recognised for its Grenfell Tower marketing communications campaign and recieved a gold Chartered Institute of Public Relations award. It was also recognised for delivering an inclusive consultation approach to its Integrated Risk Management Plan (IRMP) programme. 

Prior to joining the Service, Emily was Head of Communications for Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Company, where she was responsible for setting the communications strategies and plans to achieve the growth and market share objectives of ADNEC Group Investments, as well as employee communications and engagement. 

Emily is a Chartered Public Relations Practitioner (Chart.PR) - the highest status of achievement within public relations, holds a Master’s in Digital Marketing and has 20 years communications and marketing experience. Emily has experience in a variety of industries including the public sector, emergency services, hospitality and leisure, construction and consultancy and finance. 

In 2017 Emily completed the Greater Essex Leadership Programme, and is Chair of Greater Essex multi agency Communicators Group, and Chair of the media and communications cell for the Essex Resilience Forum and the Strategic Coordinating Group. 

 

Director of People Services

Colette Black

Colette leads our people and organisational strategy, enabling a diverse competent and motivated workforce while managing best in class HR and workforce development. 

Colette's key responsibilities include:

  • Responsible for the Services approach to delivery of the people strategy and associated development of staff including work force planning, recruitment and succession. 

  • To act as the Service lead officer for employee relations undertaking the role of  Chair of the Joint Negotiation and Consultative Committee 

  • Responsible for ensuring the safe and effective delivery of operational training, delivering a safe and competent workforce 

  • Responsible for the development and delivery of employee wellbeing schemes and the effective management of Occupational Health and Wellbeing Services.  

  • Responsible for ensuring effective people management systems are in place and the Service can demonstrate it values its employees and they are supported to achieve the highest standards 

  • Responsible for ensuring the effective establishment and delivery of the Services Professional Standards department.  

  • Responsible for organisational development, implementing training and development programs to build the skills and capabilities needed for a kind, high performing and accountable culture aligned to the priorities of the Fire and Rescue Plan and the objectives of the Community Risk Management plan. 

  • Line management responsibility for the Strategic lead (Responsible person) for Safeguarding  

  • To act as the lead Executive officer for delivering an inclusive and diverse workforce including ensuring compliance with PSED 

  • To act as part of the Services strategic command support team in the event of major emergencies or events. 

  • To act as principal advisor to the CFO on matters of people and human resource management including cases of appeal and legal proceedings   

Head and shoulders photo of Colette Black our Director of People Services. She is wearing a pink shirt and has her hair tied back.
 

More about Colette

Colette is responsible for people, values and culture, leadership and development, operational training, workforce planning, inclusion and diversity, industrial relations and people performance. Her role is part of a significant and visible investment in our people, our operational training, values and culture.   

Colette is a Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) with over 20 years of experience in this field. Fellowship is the highest level of recognition and achievement within the CIPD. She is educated at postgraduate level, is a qualified and nationally accredited mediator, qualified strengths-based coach and postgraduate qualified executive coach.   

Colette plays an active role in the regional National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) HR Forum and has just taken on a national role leading the people policies workstream for the NFCC.   

Prior to joining ECFRS in January 2017, Colette held a variety of HR and Safeguarding roles as a director, consultant and business partner in the private, public and charity sectors. She has experience of transformational change, leading teams and managing large projects such as Transfers of Undertaking (TUPE), contract mobilisation, introduction of industrial relations, mechanisms, wholesale restructure, harmonisation of terms and conditions, creation of mediation schemes and development of training.   

 

Director of Digital and Infrastructure

Karl Edwards

Karl's main responsibility is to enable the organisation in its public duties by providing the infrastructure which supports activities and to ensure the organisation complies with statutory responsibilities. 

Karl's key responsibilities: 

  • To act as the lead Executive Officer for fleet and equipment, ensuring a fit for purpose and future proof fleet and operational equipment that meets the needs of the risks identified 

  • Responsible for the safe and effective utilisation of estates, maximising value and ensuring fit for purpose 

  • Responsible for delivering sustainability through the delivery of the Environmental strategy 

  • Responsible for IT systems and service infrastructure, inc mobilisation system and operational communications ensuring resilience and ease of access to users 

  • To ensure compliance with the Data Protection Act and act as the Senior Information Responsible Officer (SIRO) 

  • To act as the Principal Advisor to the CFO on matters relating to digital, infrastructure, Estates and Fleet 

  • To act as part of the Services strategic command support team in the event of major emergencies or events. 

  • Lead Executive Officer for liaison with Audit Committee 

Head and shoulders photo of Karl Edwards our Director of Corporate Services. He is a navy blue wearing a suit, with a shirt and tie
 

More about Karl

Karl Edwards is the Director of Corporate Services for ECFRS, with over 20 years’ experience within the Blue Light Sector working in both frontline operational and strategic positions. Karl specialises in strategic change and transformation bringing services together to ensure that a professional and dynamic service is delivered to local communities.   

Karl is leading on a number of key programmes of work across the Service that require innovation, technology and creative thinking, and to assist with this he is currently undertaking the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) Executive Leadership Programme through Warwick University. He also has a key role across the fleet and property portfolio to make sure that the Service is delivering in the most efficient and effective way for a modern-day fire service.   

Karl started his career in the NHS, East of England Ambulance Service in 1999. He progressed as a BSc Hons Degree Paramedic through to Deputy Director of Operations for Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex and during this time, delivered a number of successful large-scale transformation projects.  

Karl is inspired daily by the hard work and dedication he experiences across the workforce in keeping the people of Essex safe. Outside of work, Karl enjoys spending time with his family and getting outside to undertake a variety of sports.   

 

Director of Finance and Assurance

Neil Cross

Neil oversees the arrangements for effective corporate planning and assurance of the Authority ensuring the Service operates with financial efficiency, transparency and accountability whilst adhering to legal, regulatory and ethical standards 

Neil's key responsibilities:

  • Statutory officer under Local Government 1974 act. 

  • Legal duty to manage budget within set regulations  

  • In addition, responsible officer for Procurement, ensuring the Service is compliant with Procurement rules and able to evidence VFM 

  • Responsible for strategic planning and organisational change that enables organisational improvement identified within Audit, Inspection and Risk management planning.   

  • Responsible for Audit and reporting – manage relationships with external and internal auditors including HMICFRS, ensuring the completion of audits on time and in compliance with standards.  

  • Deliver organisational assurance to ensure the Service is delivering in line with key strategies and plans and provide performance and analytical reports to drive improvement. Oversee the preparations and submission of financial statements, annual reports and regulatory findings, provide regular updates to the Chief Fire Officer and Police Fire and Crime Commissioner on financial and governance matters  

  • Responsible for the enabling of a data led and performance-oriented culture through the effective production and use of performance and data analysis of which drives Service Improvement.  

  • Responsible for ensuring the Service is a learning organisation through the delivery of effective debriefing and organisational learning that feeds back into improved practice 

  • To act as part of the Services strategic command support team in the event of major emergencies or events. 

Neil Cross
 

More about Neil

Neil joined Essex County Fire and Rescue Service in 2021 as Chief Financial Officer. He has responsibilities for finance, payroll, pensions and procurement. He is also a member of the National Fire Chiefs Council Finance Committee.

Neil has a BA Honours degree in Business Economics and is a Fellow Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.

Neil began his career working in a public accounts practice with a focus on audit, accounts preparation and corporation tax. He then spent 15 years in the commercial sector, carrying out various international roles, including as financial director of a global poultry company. Neil worked across an array of cultures as he was a statutory director for entities in the UK, Netherlands and Turkey.

Neil is a keen sportsman and particularly enjoys playing squash where he has represented England over-40s and has won the British Fire Service Championships for the last two years. He also coaches a local youth football team and when time allows he tries to get back to his home county to watch Norwich City Football Club.

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