Peter Rickard has been appointed Assistant Chief Fire Officer for West Sussex Fire and Rescue service.

He joins the service from London Fire Brigade (LFB) where he is currently serving as Deputy Assistant Commissioner and Head of Operational Risk.

His appointment follows the departure of Jon Lacey.

Speaking of his appointment, Peter said: “I am delighted to have been appointed as the new Assistant Chief Fire Officer at West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service and am very much looking forward to starting work with the service in the coming weeks. I am incredibly grateful to Jon Lacey for the incredible legacy that he leaves behind, and am fully prepared to continue this good work to best serve the residents of our local communities.”

Cabinet Member for Community Support, Fire & Rescue Service, Duncan Crow, said: “Peter brings with him a wealth of experience from his time serving the residents of London which puts him in good stead for taking on this fantastic leadership role within our fire and rescue service. I look forward to welcoming him to West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service.”

Chief Fire Officer Sabrina Cohen-Hatton said: “I would like to extend a very warm welcome to Peter as he prepares to leave London Fire Brigade, his home of the last 20 years, and embark on a new chapter of his life here with us in West Sussex.

“I am confident he’ll become an incredible asset to our leadership team and help develop the service further to continue to best serve its communities.”