Former London Fire Commissioner Talks About Grenfell for the First Time

Baron Andrew Roe, former London Fire Brigade Commissioner, sits down with hosts Karen Blackett CBE and Katie Lloyd. He talks publicly at length for the first time about his role as Incident Commander on the night of the devastating Grenfell Tower fire in London.

Then, referencing his military background, Andy redefines leadership as an “inverted pyramid” centred on delivery, service and holding oneself accountable. He shares how he confronted systemic issues within the London Fire Brigade, transforming its internal culture, and learned to manage high-pressure decisions.

0:00 Intro
3:20 What leadership means: delivery and the inverted pyramid
7:43 From the army to the fire brigade
13:08 The night of Grenfell
18:50 Decisions under pressure and purpose
21:20 Changing the culture of the London Fire Brigade
31:12 A recipe for leadership and the move to chair
33:45 Quick-fire round