Former England footballer Michelle Hickmott was recently appointed as the new Deputy Chief Fire Officer of Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service.

Michelle, who played left-back for the Lionesses, will also be the first person from Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service to complete a Senior Leader Apprenticeship at University of Staffordshire when she graduates this summer.

She has been nominated in the Apprentice of the Year category of University of Staffordshire Business Awards by her tutors.

Michelle joined Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service as an assistant chief fire officer in 2022.

She has two decades of experience within the fire and rescue sector, having previously worked in Warwickshire, London and at The Fire Service College.

Michelle was an instructor at The Fire Service College, where she worked to help new and existing firefighters enhance their professional practice, and subsequently worked for London Fire Brigade as a borough commander in Kensington and Chelsea.

At Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service, Michelle has been leading the upgrade of learning and development facilities at headquarters, focusing on modernising the training environment.

This project includes implementing the ‘clean concept’, which involves rigorous cleaning processes for firefighting equipment and personal protective equipment to reduce contaminants and associated risks.

Michelle’s mentor, Glynn Luznyj, who becomes the new Chief Fire Officer of Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service in June, has praised her innovative ideas, creativity and effective management.

In her sporting career she represented Birmingham City FC, Fulham FC, Coventry FC and Charlton FC from 2003 to 2011 before taking on a managerial role with Birmingham Football Association. She represented England in a 4-1 win against Finland in 2009.