Circular NJC 1/25 - Independent chair of the National Joint Council and Middle Managers Negotiating Body: new appointment

National Joint Council for Local Authority Fire and Rescue Services

Employers’ Secretary,
Sarah Ward
Local Government Association,;
18 Smith Square, Westminster,
London
SW1P 3HZ 
e-mail: [email protected]

Employees’ Secretary,
Steve Wright,
Bradley House,
68 Coombe Rd
Kingston upon Thames
KT2 7AE 
Telephone 020 8541 1765

To: Chief fire officers
Chief executives/Clerks to fire authorities
Chairs of fire authorities
Directors of HR (Fire Authorities)
Members of the National Joint Council

13 February 2025

Circular NJC/1/25

Dear Sir/Madam

Independent chair of the National Joint Council and Middle Managers Negotiating Body: New appointment

1. We write to inform you that following an open recruitment process, the NJC recently appointed Ron Barclay-Smith as the new Independent Chair of both the National Joint Council and the Middle Managers Negotiating Body. The three-year appointment took effect from 1 November 2024.

2. Mr Barclay-Smith’s experience includes:

• British Transport Police Authority – Chair of cross-border, Non-Departmental Public Body of the Department for Transport. Chair of Authority, Chair of Appointments, Remuneration and Regulatory Committee (determining pay and disciplinary matters for BTP). Leading negotiations with the Police Federation, Superintendents’ Association and TSSA representatives.
• Member of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors of Regulatory Tribunal – member of tribunal panels to assess and judge disciplinary hearings against RICS members.
• Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority – Non-Executive Director.

3. Whilst writing, we would wish to take this opportunity to thank Professor Lynette Harris for her work as the previous Independent Chair of both the NJC and MMNB.

Yours faithfully,

Sarah Ward
Steve Wright
Joint Secretaries