Charlie started with the London Fire Brigade in 1996, when he joined as a Firefighter. Charlie joined the Brigade’s Fire Investigation Team in 2004, spending 13 years as a fire investigator and team manager, which involved leading on or supporting most of London’s major fire investigations during that period, before being promoted to Deputy Assistant Commissioner in Fire Safety in 2017.
In 2022, Charlie was promoted to the role of Assistant Commissioner in Fire Safety (Prevention & Protection), where he had responsibility for fire safety in London’s buildings and transport networks, fire safety in the home, prevention work such as water and road safety, as well as supporting the Brigades youth work. Charlie has also worked on various LFB public campaigns such as ‘Total Recalls’ (making white goods safer) and #Chargesafe (improving the safety of lithium-ion battery e-scooters and e-bikes). In March 2024, Charlie was appointed to the role of Deputy Commissioner/Director of Prevention, Protection and Operational Policy. Charlie is currently the National Fire Chiefs Council lead officer for both electrical safety and fire investigation.