A not-for-profit fire safety body has changed its name and registered as a charity.

The Fire Sector Federation, which was formed in 2011 to act as a forum for the discussion of fire safety-related issues of interest to its membership, has changed its name to the Fire Sector Confederation and registered with the Charity Commission as a charitable incorporated organisation. 

The charity said in a statement that the move was “a key element of the confederation’s strategic plan to become a public interest enterprise and underscores the organisation’s commitment to impartiality and freedom from dominance of any single stakeholder or interest group”. 

It also said: “The objective is to serve the public and societal agenda over any individual demands.”

The organisation was formed in 2011 in response to the former fire and rescue minister Bob Neill’s Fire Futures report, which looked at the direction of fire and rescue services in England.

Following the review, the government decided it no longer intended to control and direct the way fire and rescue services were delivered and instead expected the fire sector to take a lead in shaping policy.

Steven McGuirk, executive director of the Fire Sector Confederation, said its new status supported the organisation’s role as a neutral force to create a safer environment.

“The name change was a requirement of the charity application process, but it better reflects our focus to deliver a strategic vision for collaboration that connects key stakeholders across the fire ecosystem to overcome the barriers to change and deliver meaningful and effective solutions to enhance fire safety in our society,” he said.

“Charitable status supports the confederation’s role as a neutral and pivotal force to create a safer environment. 

“In the coming weeks we will be updating our corporate branding and website with a new digital collaboration hub for members that will incorporate the new name.”

The Fire Sector Confederation has been contacted for further comment.