Jon WelchNorfolk has a new chief fire officer following the appointment of Nigel Williams. Mr Williams joins Norfolk County Council fire and rescue service from the Dorset brigade, where he was deputy chief fire officer.Jon Welch

Norfolk has a new chief fire officer following the appointment of Nigel Williams.

Mr Williams joins Norfolk County Council fire and rescue service from the Dorset brigade, where he was deputy chief fire officer. He will take up his position in early August, replacing Richard Elliott who retired in March.

Mr Williams' fire service career has spanned 25 years and three brigades: he was with West Yorkshire and Suffolk before joining Dorset.

He has been operational in all his roles, whilst he also spent a three-year spell as a lecturer at the National Fire Training College in Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire.

Mr Williams is married to Donna and has two sons, Ben, 18, and Alex, 15, who both were born in the James Paget Hospital, Gorleston.

Having developed a broad base of experience he has been able to take a leading role in various aspects of service development and delivery.

Mr Williams said: 'I am delighted to take up the role of chief fire officer for Norfolk and am looking to build on the service's strong reputation. I want to ensure that as many people as possible feel safe in their community and reassured that we will be there for them, should they need us.

'I look forward to working with the fire and rescue service team, the county council, partners and the local community, to achieve the aim of making Norfolk as safe a place as possible."

Harry Humphrey, cabinet member for fire and rescue, said: 'Nigel's enthusiasm to drive the service forward for the benefit of the people of Norfolk is evident and I am looking forward to working alongside him. He joins us with an excellent track record and I wish him every success in his new role.'