My name is Andrew Lewis, and I am Head of Special Risks and Fire Services at Mitie Security, and an elected member of both the Service and Extinguishing Councils here at the FIA. My professional career in the fire industry spans 25 years where I started as a storeman for Fire Protection Services and worked my way through the industry at various levels of engineering and management to where I am today.

My passion is the fire industry as a whole, always wanting to learn more about the industry and meeting the different people with their views and opinions.

What initially attracted you to join the fire industry?

At 19 years old, I had a decision to make, become a British Gas apprentice, or work as a storeman for a fire protection company. Being young, the deciding factor for me was the fact that I could see the stores from my house and thought, its only down the road and not far to travel, so chose the storeman role. I knew nothing of the industry and to be honest, it took a while for me to get going however, it’s the best decision that I made looking at where I am today.

Reflecting on your life so far, what achievement or milestone are you most proud of, and why?

I think taking the leap from being an engineer and stepping into management. It’s not something that I set out to do initially, but life has a way of guiding you down a path that you may not think is necessarily the way to go. That was a big jump for me at a time where life was a bit rocky but, I stuck it out, made a point of learning from the managers that I have worked under and I seem to be in a good place. I suppose now is the time to thank past and present managers!

How can the fire industry be improved and what does it need for this to happen?

The young are the future! We have some very knowledgeable people in the industry who have been part and parcel of the fixtures and fittings for some time, but we need to embrace innovation and new ideas, and I see that coming from the engineers and managers of the future. We need to sell the industry and the positives of what it is we do, save lives and protect people’s property. This is making me feel old!

In the next five years, do you have any career goals within the fire industry, and what steps are you taking to reach them?

I’m always looking to progress and take the next step, not necessarily in job title and position, but from a learning perspective. As long as I’m learning and testing myself, I’m quite content. I have aspirations for next steps in my career yes, but the past has taught me to keep developing professionally, keep learning, and always watch the people and managers around you to take what you feel is good in them and apply that to your management style, and progression will come naturally. I’m extremely lucky that Mitie and my current management team are always supportive of me attending more courses and will always look to progress staff into more senior roles from within.

What's the most valuable piece of advice you’d give to someone just starting their career, in the industry?

Don’t be afraid to reach out to people in the industry, we don’t bite! The FIA has some of the best minds in the fire industry and we are all approachable for advice and guidance. Do we know everything, no, but our proactive approach to getting involved in shaping the fire industry is the industry you will grow into and, after all, those starting out are the future of the FIA and the industry itself so get involved.

What is the most important area of work that the FIA is involved with (for you and the overall industry - if different)?

I can’t stress enough the importance of the fact files that the FIA publish. Only once you are involved in the process of writing one do you see the works that goes into each one. The level of input from everyone involved into getting it right, so others can be well informed, is immense. Whether its updates to British Standards, or updates on the foam restrictions, the fact files are written in a way that its purpose isn’t to sell anything, or to financially benefit anyone, it sticks to the facts and informs. These are amazing documents and something we should all be proud of.

What is your favourite hobby or personal interest outside of work?

Having 5 children, ranging from 4 to 23, and a grandchild arriving in September, there isn’t much time for any hobbies unfortunately. On the odd occasion that I do escape the children, I do like to take the telescope to one of the dark sites in the Gower area of Swansea, and star watch. If you ever want to put life into perspective, that’s the way to do it. When you realise how small and inferior we all are in the grand scheme of things, it makes you cherish those around you that little bit more, and you realise how lucky you are. Oh, and I’m a lifelong Tottenham Hotspur supporter, although, that’s more stressful than work a lot of the time.

What superpower would you have and why?

It has to be a photographic memory. My wife is forever telling me that she’s told me something, but I’m positive that she’s just saying that. It would also benefit me from a learning perspective; how often do you get asked a technical question and you know for sure you’ve been taught it before?

If you could go anywhere in the world for a holiday for three months all expenses paid, where would you go and why?

Without question, America. It’s my dream to drive around America in an RV to visit all the sights and drive on those never-ending roads. The whole country just interests me, and some of the places that you can visit, are out of this world.

Name 3 characters you would have to dinner for the perfect evening. One dead, one alive and one fictitious.

I love this question……

Dead would 100% be Freddie Mercury – what a personality at the table he would be, and he could belt out those notes that nobody else can.

Alive, would be Prince William – I’m a big fan of the royal family and would love the opportunity to sit and talk with him.

Fictitious would have to be Harry Stamper from Armageddon – This is my favourite film and what a guy he is! He saved the world after all.