Sir Graham Meldrum CBE, OStJ

Sir Graham Meldrum was appointed as Chair of the Trust on the 1st February 2007 following a career in the Fire and Rescue Service spanning over forty two years. Sir Graham was appointed as Chief Fire Officer for the West Midlands Fire Service in 1990 and served in that position until 1998 when he became HM Chief Inspector of Fire Services for England and Wales. He has served on national bodies associated with the emergency services and has particular experience in respect of emergency planning having led the Government's planning team following the World Trade Centre disaster.

Sir Graham was responsible for leading a campaign that tackled community safety and resulted in a reduction of fire deaths to the lowest number ever recorded. At national level he has served on and chaired bodies dealing with equality and diversity and championed this cause for over twenty years. In 1986 he formed a youth organisation in the fire service with some 30 young people; the Young Firefighters Association now has over 5,000 members.

Sir Graham has been involved with St. John Ambulance Association for over twenty years and served on the West Midlands Council of St John for over ten years and was awarded the Order of a Brother of St John in 1999 in recognition of his work for the Association.

He lives in Kineton in Warwickshire is married with two grown up children and can be found at events involving steam engines most weekends.