The Commissioner of the London Fire Brigade, previously known as the Chief Fire Officer until c. 2000, is the head of the London Fire Brigade. Jonathan Smith has held the post since May 2025.
The rank is usually referred to as the London Fire Brigade Commissioner, the LFB Commissioner or simply "Commissioner".
Current Commissioner Jonathan Smith was appointed as the Commissioner for the London Fire Brigade in May 2025, following confirmation by the London Assembly's Fire Committee. He succeeded Andy Roe, who retired after more than two decades of service with the Brigade.
Smith began his firefighting career in 2000 with Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service at Norwich City Fire Station. He later moved to Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service in 2008, where he progressed through a series of senior roles. In 2019, he joined London Fire Brigade as an Assistant Commissioner, initially focusing on reforming procedures within Brigade Control, particularly in response to the Grenfell Tower Fire and the recommendations from the subsequent inquiry.
Smith has managed responses to several significant incidents, notably the New Providence Wharf fire in 2021, and acted as the senior operational commander during major events including the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II and the coronation of King Charles III. In addition, he led work on cultural change within the Brigade in the wake of the Culture Review.
List of London Fire Brigade chief officers and commissioners FromToMilitary rank(if applicable)NameNotes18331861James BraidwoodFirst director of the London Fire Engine Establishment (which later became the London Fire Brigade).18611891CaptainEyre Massey ShawFirst Chief Officer of the Metropolitan Fire Brigade.18911896James Sexton Simmonds18961903Captain (RN)Lionel de Lautour Wells19031909Rear AdmiralJames de Courcy Hamilton19091918Lieutenant CommanderSir Sampson Sladen19181933Arthur Reginald Dyer19331938MajorCyril MorrisOnly LFB chief officer to have been awarded the Military Cross19381941CommanderSir Aylmer FirebraceThe first and only person to head firefighting across the whole of Great Britain.19481962Sir Frederick DelveFirst chief officer after the end of Fire Brigade nationalisation19621970Leslie Leete19701976Joseph MilnerDirector of the Hong Kong Fire Services from 1961 to 1970 before his appointment to the London Fire Brigade19761980Peter Darby19801987Ronald Bullers19871991Gerald Clarkson19912003Brian Robinson20032007Sir Ken Knight20072016Ron Dobson20162019Dany CottonFirst woman commissioner. Retired earlier than planned due to criticism of LFB handling of fire at Grenfell Tower.20192025CaptainAndy Roe2025PresentJonathan Smith
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