BAFE And FireQual Announce New Management Appointments

BAFE and FireQual Ltd are pleased to announce that they have appointed Nic Preston as the FireQual Qualifications Manager from 1st September 2020.

Nic Preston

Nic Preston has over 14 years of experience in the training and development sector with a proven ability in quality assurance demonstrated in several roles influencing training environments within the UK.

His most recent roles have been developing and implementing growth strategies as Chief Executive of SFEDI Awards, the Awarding Organisation for enterprise development. Alongside this, he has also been responsible for their compliance with regulatory systems across the UK and was the Responsible Officer for their systems for learners and training centers.

nationally recognized qualifications

FireQual has huge potential to make the industry safer and demonstrably more competent"

Nic Preston said, “Introducing a range of high-quality nationally recognized qualifications for the betterment of fire protection services and staff within the fire safety industry will be a rewarding task."

He adds, "FireQual has huge potential to make the industry safer and demonstrably more competent and I look forward to the challenge this offers." 

knowledge and expertise

Nic Preston continues, "Although FireQual is a new venture, it builds on the vast array of knowledge and expertise within the sector both within BAFE and through our valued external partners who continue to support this new endeavor as we move forward."

He stated, "I welcome the opportunity to work with a range of excellent industry partners, training organizations, and their candidates to build new relationships and opportunities as we move forward.”

developing individual skills

This is a big opportunity to develop individual skills to ensure that competence remains at the forefront"

Stephen Adams, Chief Executive – BAFE, added, “We believe FireQual is being entrusted in very good hands with Nic. His experience will be invaluable in the development of this Awarding Organisation."

He adds, "This is a big opportunity to develop individual skills to ensure that competence remains at the forefront of the fire safety industry. We are pursuing this because we know that it is the right thing to do in the interest of life safety.”

promotion of Chris Auger

The BAFE Fire Safety Register is delighted to announce that Chris Auger, currently the BAFE Head of Schemes, has been promoted to Director of Schemes, with responsibility for the organization and development of existing and new schemes, together with our quality assurance and complaints management.

He will have a vital day-to-day support role with BAFE-licensed Certification Bodies.

Third-Party Certification and competence

Chris Auger continues to do a first-class job with his work on the Hackitt Working Groups and other stakeholders, especially in promoting the value of Third Party Certification and competence, which is gaining much stronger traction, with the support of UKAS.

He has brought a much stronger profile for BAFE amongst a wide range of influencers across the construction sector.

BAFE Competence schemes

We have several new initiatives to support the industry, specifiers, and end users"

Chris Auger commented, “The BAFE Competence schemes continue to grow and develop, with registrations rising even during the lockdown period. We are grateful to Companies and Certification Bodies for continuing to recognize the importance of Third Party Certification and finding new methods to ensure compliance."

He adds, "We have several new initiatives to support the industry, specifiers, and end users and I am delighted to be taking on this role."

accredited technician competence

Chris Auger continues, "With the development of FireQual, there will also be a genuine prospect to include accredited technician competence into more of our Company schemes, which will be considered by our dedicated Scheme Monitoring Groups."

He concludes, "This will consider all appropriate training and qualifications available, not just FireQual. Organizational competency and evidence of individual expertise remain at the forefront of this discussion.”