Reflecting on the past year, our mission to uphold the highest standards of fire safety through education, technical expertise, and collaboration has never been more important. As fire safety challenges continue to evolve, the FIA remains at the forefront, driving the industry forward by promoting greater accountability and advocating for enhanced safety regulations. The latest findings from the Grenfell Tower Inquiry have reinforced the need for stronger fire safety standards, and in response, we have ramped up our efforts to influence policy changes and raise the bar for competency across the sector.

This year, we realigned our operations to better support these efforts, enhancing key areas such as marketing, technology, membership, and training. Our newly opened Northern hub in Northwich, Cheshire, has been a cornerstone of this growth. The hub includes a state-of-the-art training and event centre, along with a "Centre of Excellence" that allows members to showcase their products and systems in a cutting-edge environment.

On an international scale, we established FIA Cyprus in October 2023, introducing the unit with a ground-breaking Fire Summit. The success of this event, which brought together 15 FIA member companies from the UK, has paved the way for future international expansions. This initiative represents our commitment to spreading best practices in fire safety beyond the UK, ensuring that standards are elevated on a global scale.

Training has been a standout success in 2024. We trained over 6,000 delegates, a 26.9% increase from the previous year, reflecting our dedication to delivering world-class education. Our Northwich Centre of Excellence has been central to this, offering practical, hands-on experience that sets FIA training apart. We’ve also launched new courses such as Fire Safety Awareness of Lithium-Ion Batteries, addressing critical industry issues. Looking ahead, the introduction of our Fire Risk Assessment (FRA) course and the development of our Hampton practical training facility will keep us at the forefront of fire safety education.

Membership growth has also been significant, with 159 new companies joining our community—a 63% increase from the previous year. This growth is driven by the tangible value FIA membership offers, from high-quality training to the ability to shape industry standards. Our 92.5% retention rate speaks volumes about the satisfaction and benefits members experience.

Our technical leadership has continued to influence the industry, with our Technical Councils and Working Groups driving key conversations around standards, regulations, and best practices. We’ve made strides in aligning our training with updated regulations such as BS 5839-1, ensuring that our programmes remain the gold standard for fire safety professionals.

As we move forward, we remain grateful for the support of our members and partners, who enable us to push the boundaries of fire safety. Together, we are navigating a period of great change with optimism, knowing that the FIA is poised to lead the industry into a safer and more competent future.

Download the full 2024 Annual Report to explore these achievements in greater detail.