London Fire Brigade ~ Independent Audit Committee Members (2 roles)
Location - London
Closing date - 2nd August 2026
Sector - Public sector, civil society
Remuneration - £13,000 per year (5+ meetings per year)
Introduction
The London Fire Brigade (LFB) performs a vital service to everyone who lives or works in the capital, as well as the millions who visit our great city every year. We exist to make London a safer city.
LFB is one of the largest fire and rescue services in the world, employing over 6,000 people ranging from our extraordinary firefighters to the brilliant people who support them across a range of professional functions.
The role
The Audit Committee provides challenge and assurance to the London Fire Commissioner on the Brigade’s control environment, ensuring the organisation is well managed and able to deliver its priorities.
The Committee comprises an independent Chair and three independent members. Meetings are attended by senior Brigade officers, including the Director for Corporate Services, the Deputy Commissioner for Prevention, Protection and Control, together with internal and external auditors and other officers as required. LFB is looking to appoint two new independent Audit Committee members who will join the committee in November 2026.
As an independent member, you will provide high-quality independent expert scrutiny of the following areas of the LFB:
- The adequacy and effectiveness of the system of internal controls and risk management, advised by the internal auditors;
- The suitability and adequacy of the assurance framework and the annual Statement of Assurance;
- The preparation of the Statement of Accounts, including the Annual Governance Statement, advised by the external auditors;
- The budget submission to the Mayor, incorporating the Capital Strategy, Reserves Strategy and Medium-Term Financial Plan;
- The Treasury Management Strategy Statement;
- Cyber security arrangements and approach;
- Quarterly performance reports (to support the above);
- Any matter referred to the Audit Committee by the London Fire Commissioner.
Our Audit Committee member role will be a highly rewarding position, offering you the opportunity to influence the quality, efficiency and effectiveness of the fire service for London, now and in the future.
Whilst the vacant roles are for members of the committee, there could be an opportunity to step into the role of Chair once the term of office expires for the incumbent (November 2027).
Who we're looking for
- You will have Audit Committee experience or a recognised accountancy qualification;
- You will have experience operating in a large and complex organisation (LFB has 6,000 employees and a net revenue budget of £500M) at executive or board level;
- You will possess financial acumen and a demonstrable ability to read, interpret, and constructively challenge complex financial statements and audit reports;
- You will be able to offer risk and governance knowledge and an understanding of internal control frameworks, enterprise risk management, and regulatory compliance;
- You will be able to operate with independence and have an ability to provide impartial, objective scrutiny. Applicants must not have a pre-existing connection to LFB;
- You will demonstrate an ability to think strategically and creatively to deliver innovative solutions;
- You must be a trusted and focused professional, demonstrably able to operate with confidence, credibility and openness with officers and stakeholders.
How to apply
Deadline for applications: 2 August 2026, midnight
Complete our online form; Upload a copy of your up-to-date CV and upload a cover letter clearly outlining the relevant experience, skills and knowledge you have to successfully perform this role. In your letter, please set out your responses to these three questions:
1) In your opinion, how can the LFB Audit Committee play a role in ensuring LFB delivers its vision to be trusted to serve and protect London (Our plan | London Fire Brigade), and which three areas do you think should feature the highest on the LFB Audit Committee agendas?
2) Please provide an example of how you have reviewed complex financial statements and identified areas where greater operational efficiencies could be delivered.
3) Please describe your experience in reviewing internal control environments and assessing business-critical risks (e.g. cyber security).
Late or un-submitted applications cannot be accepted.
Please note, any correspondence received from us will be via e-mail and sent to the address you provide on your application form.
Assessment Overview
Stage 1 - Online application, CV and cover letter. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to stage 2.
Stage 2 - Assessment for this role is due to take place in September 2026.
Please be advised that if you are unable to make the scheduled assessment date, we may not be able to make alternative arrangements.
For more details on our role profile (including requirements like, ‘you must not have a formal connection with any political group’), please see the person specification below.
We have an open mind as to what type of career background would make you well suited to our committee. To date, our independent committee members have brought experience from the armed forces, the health service, higher education, financial services, public sector and the not-for-profit sector.
You will ideally bring experience from a financial, digital, assurance, governance, or similar remit. You might bring experience in cyber, data and AI.
- Audit Committee | London Fire Brigade
- Remuneration: £13,000 a year paid in monthly instalments
- Time commitment: Attendance at 5 committee meetings a year (c.3 hours each, 9-12 or 2-5), however additional meetings may be required depending on workload. In addition, briefings or training on specific topics may be arranged as required. Time will also be needed before each meeting for preparation. There will also be opportunities to visit LFB premises to learn more about how the LFB operates and delivers its services to Londoners.
- Location: Hybrid. Committee meetings are a mix of virtual and in-person. In-person meetings are held at LFB Headquarters at 169 Union Street, London (LFB Headquarters will move to Tintagel House, Albert Embankment, Lambeth from early 2027).
- Term: The role will be on an initial three-year fixed term basis with the possibility of a further and final three-year extension, by mutual agreement. There will be a three month ‘no blame’ clause to terminate the arrangement on either side.
- For questions about the role, please contact: [email protected]
Please note
After you submit your application, you’ll receive an email asking you to confirm your email address. This is a quick security step and is required for your application to be successfully submitted.
Once you’ve confirmed your email address, you’ll receive a confirmation email letting you know we’ve received your application. This email will also include your applicant number for future reference.
If you’ve submitted your application but haven’t received the email acknowledging receipt of your application, please check that you’ve confirmed your email address as soon as possible and before the closing date. Look out for an email from our recruitment system with a confirmation link. If you can’t see it, please check your junk or spam folder and add the sender to your safe senders list.
We value the diversity of our employees and aim to recruit a workforce which reflects our diverse communities across London. The London Fire Commissioner is an Equal Opportunities Employer and we positively welcome applications from all suitably qualified individuals, irrespective of people's age, disability, gender, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or other personal circumstances. We have guidance in place to ensure that all applicants are treated fairly and consistently at every stage of the recruitment process, including the consideration of reasonable adjustments for people who have a disability.
Anyone who has contact with children, young people or adults at risk will be subject to an enhanced DBS check as part of our commitment to safeguarding.
Criminal records check
In line with the Basic Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) employment checks will be completed by successful candidates.
