Last month Western Business Media held the inaugural Fire and Security Matters Awards. The recipient of the first ever FSM Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Stephen Adams, former Chief Executive of BAFE.

Over Mr Adams’ career, prior to joining BAFE, he accumulated a wide commercial security and fire background. This included senior roles within BSIA, Thorn Fire and Security, and Managing Director of a security printing company.

Mr Adams’ tenure at BAFE, spanning over 12 years, established BAFE as a fully independent organisation moving away from FETA and BFPSA (now FIA). Since 2009, Stephen’s work with the BAFE team evolved its role within the industry from equipment approvals to a strong focus on competency, ensuring that fire safety organisations have quality routes to demonstrate their capabilities to deliver work for multiple disciplines within the sector.

Mark Sennett, Chief Executive Officer of Western Business Media (who established the awards), stated: “Stephen Adams was a unanimous choice from the judges to be the inaugural winner of the FSM Lifetime achievement award due to his decades of service to both the fire and security sectors. He has tirelessly championed third-party certification and has dedicated his career to the betterment of the sector. We couldn’t have picked a more deserving winner.”

Justin Maltby-Smith, Managing Director of BAFE, collected the award on Mr Adams’ behalf. Following the event he commented “It was great to see Stephen acknowledged for his considerable efforts and dedication to both the security and fire sector. What is pertinent to stress is the respect Stephen is held in by friends and former colleagues, including myself, within the industry. This also applies to the BAFE team, who hold strong admiration for him and he left big shoes to fill when I took on the role of Managing Director earlier this year. From the BAFE team and myself, we extend our congratulations to Stephen.”

BAFE also extend their congratulations to Mark Sennett, Brian Sims, and the team at Western Business Media for establishing the awards. BAFE is proud to support the FSM Awards alongside many other respected parties which, as Western Business Media stress, “are designed to honour and recognise industry professionals and teams from both the security and fire sectors who work so diligently to keep people and property safe.”

The BAFE team wish Stephen well and are honoured that he has received this prestigious award to recognise his respected career.

For further information please visit the FSM website:

Winners of the 2022 Fire & Security Matters Awards announced at gala ceremony (external link)