Andrea White is a Fire Engineer and has worked in the fire safety industry for almost 25 years.
Andrea established her own fire safety consultancy – A W Fire Ltd – in 2021. Her strapline is “Dedicated to Competence” – she works hard to be known for the quality of her work. Andrea has been forensic in setting up her business – her terms and conditions were written in conjunction with lawyers and the scopes of works she sends out to prospective client are clear and detailed, with strict parameters.
Andrea volunteered on British Standard Committee BS9994 and is an expert witness for the Courts. She drafted Clause 7 on competence for the new BS9994. She is valued as an expert witness for her professionalism, diligence and clear advice/opinions.
Andrea established Women Talking Fire in May 2023, having conceived and almost single-handedly organised the first women’s conference in the fire safety industry in February 2023 under the Women in Fire Engineering Networking Group. Women Talking Fire is an independent networking and support group for women and male allies. After just 2 years, it now has almost 700 members of the closed group and more than 2,800 followers on LinkedIn, with more than 20,000 page views per month.
Andrea offers thought leadership to industry through LinkedIn, on stage, in journal articles and on podcasts. She has chosen to “be the change you want to see” and taken on public speaking opportunities. Andrea understands the importance of role models and being able to see people who look like you who have achieved professionally. She collaborates with numerous industry event organisers to ensure that there is female representation on stage at events and Andrea also offers insight into relevant topics that should be discussed at these events.
Andrea mentors tens of individuals every year, offering encouragement, advice and practical support. She is personally financially supporting an individual through the Bachelor’s degree in Fire Engineering at UCLan to give back to industry. Over the last 10 years, Andrea has mentored over 300 individuals.
Testimonial from Rebecca Heald:
“Andrea is nothing short of a powerhouse! In an industry where women have long been underrepresented, Andrea hasn’t just made space for herself, she’s kicked down the doors and built a platform for others to rise, including myself. Founder of AW Fire and Women Talking Fire, Andrea’s become a vital voice for change, advocacy, and excellence in fire safety. Her work’s driven by purpose, fuelled by expertise, and grounded in an unshakable belief that the industry can and must do better.
Her impact goes far beyond job titles and accolades. Andrea has sparked a movement. She’s inspired and championed other women to step forward, speak up, and take their place in a sector that’s stronger because of her. She’s also an advocate for younger people joining the industry and sees the change we need to make to retain them. The ripple effect of her leadership will be felt for generations”.
