Fire Safety Leaders Networking Plan 2026
Where UK fire safety MDs, CEOs and owners actually meet — and how to get in the room.
The Plan at a Glance
Building a strong peer network means showing up in the right places: key trade associations, major industry conferences, and the publications and networks your peers already read. Technical forums serve engineers and technicians — but the rooms below are where MDs, CEOs and owners actually gather.
Premier Professional Bodies
Your first move. Leaders of fire safety companies are heavily involved in these organizations, sitting on boards, councils, and technical committees. Join them.
Fire Industry Association
FIA|All Fire ProtectionThe largest fire protection trade association in Europe with 150+ committees and working groups populated by senior figures from member companies.
Why it matters: Membership gives you access to a directory of fellow leaders and networking events. Committees are populated by MDs and CEOs from across the industry.
Fire Protection Association
FPA|Fire Safety & Risk ManagementThe UK’s national fire safety organization providing exclusive resources, networking events, and the Fire & Risk Management Journal.
Why it matters: Membership provides access to exclusive resources and networking events. Its journal is a key publication for industry leaders.
Association for Specialist Fire Protection
ASFP|Passive Fire ProtectionThe leading trade body for the passive fire protection sector, running events like the annual London Seminar and publishing IGNITE Magazine.
Why it matters: Highly targeted at specialists and business owners in the passive fire protection niche. Events and publications connect you with fellow decision-makers.
UK Fire Association
UK-FA|SMEs in Fire ProtectionSpecifically caters to small and medium-sized businesses, making it a natural home for owners and directors of the 76% of FS2 framework companies that are SMEs.
Why it matters: Puts you alongside fellow owners and directors of SMEs, which constitute the majority of the fire safety services market.
Where Leaders Gather In Person
Put these in your diary. These are the events where major deals are made and the senior leaders you want to know gather face-to-face.
Non-negotiable. If you only do three things from this plan, attend these events.
The Fire Safety Event
EssentialThe UK’s largest dedicated fire safety event, attracting over 13,500 professionals.
Features a Fire Safety Leaders Summit — an exclusive, high-level forum designed specifically for senior decision-makers. This is the single most important event for meeting fellow MDs and CEOs.
FIREX International
EssentialA major annual event that brings together the entire fire safety community.
A key venue for meeting fellow suppliers, distributors, and contractors. The exhibition floor and networking events are prime territory for connecting with business owners and directors.
FSM Live
RecommendedA more intimate, conference-led event organized by Fire Safety Matters magazine.
Attracts a focused audience of senior professionals for networking and CPD-accredited seminars. The smaller scale allows for more meaningful one-to-one conversations with leaders.
Digital Presence & Industry Media
Stay connected between events. Your peers are active on these platforms and reading these publications — make sure you are too.
The most important online platform for connecting with fire safety leaders. Company leaders maintain profiles and are active in high-level discussions.
Connect with directors of FS2 framework companies. Join groups managed by FIA, FPA, and ASFP. The Women in Fire Safety group is also a notable network of influential professionals. FireSafetyTenders.com is a great feed of relevant industry news and contract opportunities to share and engage with.
Fire Safety Matters (FSM)
An independent publication with a strong online presence, a podcast that interviews industry leaders, and its own conference (FSM Live).
Subscribe for industry news and listen to the podcast, which regularly features senior decision-makers. A valuable source of insight and peer perspectives.
IFSEC Global
A major online news platform for both the security and fire industries, providing news, analysis, and whitepapers read by decision-makers.
Read news, analysis, and whitepapers to stay current on industry trends. The platform is widely followed by a broad audience of industry professionals.
FPA Fire & Risk Management Journal
Exclusive to FPA members, this journal is read by a highly targeted audience of committed professionals and business owners.
Requires FPA membership to access. A trusted source among committed professionals — well worth reading and contributing insights to.
ASFP IGNITE Magazine
The ASFP’s member magazine, highly targeted at specialists in the passive fire protection sector.
Ideal for staying connected with fellow passive fire protection company leaders. Read for sector-specific news and insights.
Reddit / Facebook Groups
Communities like r/firePE and various Facebook groups for fire engineers are primarily populated by technical staff rather than senior leadership.
Owners of smaller businesses may participate, but these are not where MDs and CEOs of medium to large enterprises typically congregate.
Key Insight
LinkedIn is where your peers actually are online. Technical forums and social media groups skew towards engineers and technicians — not the MDs and CEOs you want to connect with.
Your Networking Checklist
The short version. Do these four things and you will know everyone worth knowing in UK fire safety.
Go where the decision-makers already are.
Join Key Trade Associations
- Prioritize membership in the FIA and FPA for credibility and access to the most influential networks.
- Join the UK-FA to connect with fellow SME owners and directors who make up the majority of the market.
- Use member directories to find and connect with MDs, CEOs, and Owners in your space.
- Attend member-only networking events, technical meetings, and seminars.
Attend Premier Conferences
- Secure a presence at The Fire Safety Event at NEC Birmingham — aim for the Fire Safety Leaders Summit.
- Attend FIREX International in London for high-level networking with suppliers and contractors.
- Attend networking receptions and social events to meet peers in a relaxed setting.
- Attend FSM Live for more intimate, senior-level conversations.
Leverage LinkedIn Strategically
- Proactively connect with MDs and CEOs of companies identified in the FS2 framework.
- Join and participate in FIA, FPA, and ASFP LinkedIn groups.
- Share relevant content and engage in discussions to stay visible among peers.
- Engage with the Women in Fire Safety group for access to influential professionals.
Follow Trade Publications
- Subscribe to Fire Safety Matters (FSM) and IFSEC Global to stay informed on industry trends.
- Read association journals (FPA, ASFP) for specialist insights and peer perspectives.
- Listen to the FSM podcast for interviews with fellow decision-makers.
- Contribute articles or insights to build your profile among peers.
Tender & Procurement Resources
Know what your peers are bidding on. These are the platforms where fire safety tenders are listed and tracked.
| Platform | Description |
|---|---|
| Fire Safety Tenders | Curated fire safety contract opportunities, updated daily with alerts and bid support. |
| Construction Enquirer | Industry news site that reports on major framework awards and contract wins. |
Context: The FS2 Framework
The research underpinning this guide was inspired by the FS2 Fire Safety Works Framework, a major public sector procurement framework worth up to £150 million. Winners included companies such as Fortem Solutions, Mulalley & Co, Surefire, Oakray, and Keepmoat, alongside a range of SMEs. Understanding these frameworks and the companies that compete for them provides valuable context for connecting with the right peers.
Pro Tip
The earlier you spot a tender, the more time you have to prepare — and the better positioned you are against competitors who find out late.