FSM Awards 2022 acknowledges the former BAFE Chief Executive’s esteemed career. In April 2022, Western Business Media held the inaugural Fire and Security Matters Awards. The recipient of the first-ever FSM Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Stephen Adams, former Chief Executive of BAFE.
Over Mr. Adams’ career, before joining BAFE, he accumulated wide commercial security and fire background. This included senior roles within BSIA, Thorn Fire and Security, and Managing Director of a security printing company.
Stephens’ BAFE experience
Mr. Adams’ tenure at BAFE, spanning over 12 years, established BAFE as a fully independent organization moving away from FETA and BFPSA (now FIA).
Since 2009, Stephen’s work with the BAFE team evolved its role within the industry from equipment approvals to a strong focus on competency, ensuring that fire safety organizations have quality routes to demonstrate their capabilities to deliver work for multiple disciplines within the sector.
Unanimous choice
Stephen was a unanimous choice from the judges to be the inaugural winner of the FSM Lifetime achievement award"
Mark Sennett, Chief Executive Officer of Western Business Media (who established the awards), stated, “Stephen Adams was a unanimous choice from the judges to be the inaugural winner of the FSM Lifetime achievement award due to his decades of service to both the fire and security sectors.”
“He has tirelessly championed third-party certification and has dedicated his career to the betterment of the sector. We couldn’t have picked a more deserving winner.”
Life safety industry
Talking to BAFE, Mr. Adams said “I am deeply grateful to receive this award. What is interesting about the life safety industry is that recognition, whilst very much appreciated, is not necessarily important.”
“What is important is that the work being performed in the field is done properly to keep people and society safe. This is what the core focus of our efforts should be, to constantly improve upon the competence of the industry and the registered organizations and stakeholders who support this aim.”
Third-party certification
I remain a huge advocate of third-party certification within the fire safety sector and will continue to stress"
“Understandably from my previous role at BAFE, I remain a huge advocate of third-party certification within the fire safety sector and will continue to stress this in any future roles.”
“I am immensely proud of the BAFE team that I cultivated with my colleagues and trust they will continue to deliver quality impact into the industry."
Justin’s comment
Justin Maltby-Smith, Managing Director of BAFE, collected the award on Mr. Adams’ behalf. Following the event, he commented, “It was great to see Stephen acknowledged for his considerable efforts and dedication to both the security and fire sector.”
“What is pertinent to stress is the respect Stephen is held in by friends and former colleagues, including myself, within the industry. This also applies to the BAFE team, who hold strong admiration for him and he left big shoes to fill when I took on the role of Managing Director earlier this year. From the BAFE team and me, we extend our congratulations to Stephen.”
Security and fire sectors
BAFE also extends its congratulations to Mark Sennett, Brian Sims, and the team at Western Business Media for establishing the awards. BAFE is proud to support the FSM Awards alongside many other respected parties which, as Western Business Media stress, “are designed to honor and recognize industry professionals and teams from both the security and fire sectors who work so diligently to keep people and property safe.”
The BAFE team wishes Stephen well and is honored that he has received this prestigious award to recognize his respected career.
