East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service (ESFRS) has announced the appointment of Mark Matthews as its new Chief Fire Officer and Chief Executive, effective from 1 January 2025. Currently serving as Assistant Chief Fire Officer, Matthews will step into the role following the retirement of Chief Fire Officer Dawn Whittaker.
Cllr. Amanda Evans, Chair of the East Sussex Fire Authority, expressed confidence in Matthews’s leadership abilities after a rigorous selection process. “We had a very strong field of candidates who went through a robust and challenging process,” she said, highlighting the series of interviews, engagement panels, and a Level 4 Incident Command assessment. “It is with great pleasure that we confirm the appointment of Mark, who we are confident will lead our much-valued public service through the next era with vision and authentic leadership.”
In accepting the role, Matthews spoke of his commitment to the service and praised his predecessor’s contributions. “I am extremely proud and privileged to lead the Service I am so committed to. Working alongside the dedicated staff of ESFRS in our united purpose to safeguard those we are entrusted to protect is a continuing honour,” he said, adding, “I would like to recognize our current Chief, Dawn Whittaker, whose unwavering contribution and brave leadership have been an inspiration to many of us across the service and the sector.”
Matthews’s leadership aims to continue building on ESFRS’s strong legacy while adapting to the evolving needs of the communities it serves. His official commencement will mark the beginning of a new chapter for the organization as Whittaker retires at the end of the year.
