As Head of Prevention and Protection at Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service, Steve McCormick is responsible for fire safety in the community, fire prevention in homes and ensuring non-residential premises comply with fire safety legislation.

His team educate businesses, investigate the cause of fires and campaign for sprinklers. They work to reduce deliberate fires, to improve road and water safety and deliver programmes for children and young people.

Alongside this vital role, Steve is studying for a Senior Leadership Apprenticeship with University of Staffordshire where he is the student representative on his course.

He has been nominated in the Apprentice of the Year category of University of Staffordshire Business Awards by his course tutor, Kieron Chadwick.

Kieron said: “I would like to recognise Steve’s contribution to collectivism. The culture he has been pivotal in creating in his Senior Leader Apprenticeship cohort has been influential in creating a forum environment which goes far beyond just apprentices learning, but actually engaging in knowledge exchange.”