Deputy Chief Officer Shantha Dickinson

Beginning her career in the British Army, Shantha served ten years as an Officer in the Intelligence Corps after graduating from The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, serving overseas in military campaigns in Sierra Leone, Afghanistan and Iraq. Since joining the Service in 2014, Shantha has led national work relating to improved how data is used within and across the fire sector to drive improved fire safety outcomes.

Shantha was appointed as Assistant Chief Fire Officer in November 2016, beginning as Director for Community Safety and Resilience and joining the Strategic Command team. In April 2018 she took up the position of Director of Performance and Assurance, where she is responsible for leading the organisational learning capability for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Services. As Director for Performance and Assurance, Shantha has a varied portfolio including leading the organisations’ performance management and communications and insight functions and preparing both organisations for HMICFRS inspections. Shantha was selected for the National Leadership Centre Accelerate Programme in 2020 and most recently is an alumna of the Windsor Leadership Programme.

Shantha is the Strategic Lead in the NFCC for The Fire Fighters Charity. When not at work she enjoys trail running, exploring the local countryside with her family and baking