I’m John Haynes, the Managing Director and Technical Lead of Firetronik, a London based fire protection company.

From miles of pyro in British Airways hangars, to fibre optic networks at GE Healthcare’s nuclear manufacturing sites and most things in between, I have a pretty wide range of experience from my 18 years in the industry.

I enjoy finding solutions to people's problems and working to build long term relationships with all our customers. In my spare time I enjoy travelling, sailing, skiing, mountaineering and music.

What initially attracted you to join the fire industry?

After university I was working for an electrical company that also had a fire alarm division. So I fell into it.

Reflecting on your life so far, what achievement or milestone are you most proud of, and why?

That's a tough question, I'm not sure I could pick one thing. Whether it's climbing mont blanc, renovating my house, or getting our BAFE SP203-1 accreditation!

The thing I'm most proud and thankful of is being fortunate enough to be in a position to do all those things and have an incredible circle of friends and family around me.

How can the fire industry be improved and what does it need for this to happen?

I would ban inferior fire proof cable that is not fit for purpose. Many cheap fire cables have no mechanical integrity and inner cores can be stripped with your finger nail! How these have been passed for 500v I'll never know.

Also I would love for closed protocol companies to provide training courses and technical support to allow all fire alarm companies the opportunity to provide service to customers with these systems.

I understand why they do it, but the more people that they train the less likely there will be someone who wings it and makes mistakes. The end goal is to increase fire safety, so why not empower people with the knowledge to benefit all stakeholders?

If they provide an excellent service to their customers anyway then they should have no fear of losing contracts just because someone else has the knowledge.

In the next five years, do you have any career goals within the fire industry, and what steps are you taking to reach them?

The goal is to continually grow the business. BAFE accreditation is one of the steps along that route. We want it to be an organic process so that we can ensure we continue to give the same levels of great service to our customers regardless of our size.

What's the most valuable piece of advice you’d give to someone just starting their career, in the industry?

You can go on all the courses in the world, but it is in the field where you learn the real nuts and bolts of the job. So pay attention, ask questions and make notes. The experienced guys and girls you work with are your key to a vast database of knowledge that won’t be written down anywhere. So take advantage of that and learn from them. There's no such thing as a stupid question.

What is the most important area of work that the FIA is involved with (for you and the overall industry - if different)?

Training and their incredible knowledge base.

What is your favourite hobby or personal interest outside of work?

Friends and family, and all the things in-between.

What superpower would you have and why?

I'd love to be able to teleport myself. I hate driving!

If you could go anywhere in the world for a holiday for three months all expenses paid, where would you go and why?

I'd spend 3 months on the clipper round the world yacht race. I've always wanted to do it but its far too expensive!!

Name 3 characters you would have to dinner for the perfect evening. One dead, one alive and one fictitious.

Hmmmm...

Freddie Mercury

Elton John

Ziggy stardust.

That would be a hell of a dinner party.