A woman with a strong track record in leadership has been chosen as the new boss of Essex County Fire and Rescue Service.

Jo Turton, who most recently was chief executive of Lancashire County Council, has been selected to become the brigade’s next chief executive and chief fire officer.

“It is an honour to be selected for this role,” Ms Turton said. “I am excited about the opportunity and welcome the chance to lead Essex County Fire and Rescue Service into the next phase of its journey.

“The service has made huge progress working with communities to keep people safe and reduce risk to the most vulnerable. The strength and value of the service they offer can be seen in the high regard with which they are held by the public.

“I look forward to working closely with all of the fire fighters and staff across the organisation in the months ahead and to delivering the best possible service to the public of Essex.”

The recruitment process featured a range of assessments including a detailed interview with a panel made up of a Home Office expert, a top tier local authority chief executive, the chairperson of the Safer Essex partnership, a local councillor, the chief executive of the Office of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, Essex’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, Roger Hirst, and his deputy, Jane Gardner.

Mr Hirst said: “While the service has made a lot of progress in recent years we still have a significant job ahead. We need to make sure we have a positive culture, we are open to collaboration with other emergency services and we are listening to and delivering the best service to the people of Essex.

“I believe that Ms Turton has all the experience, skills and passion to help lead the Service through this change, enabling Essex Fire and Rescue Service to become one of the very best in the country.”

Ms Turton is expected to start in post in March next year.