The Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE) has announced the appointment of James Lane CEng FIFireE as its international president for the 2025–2026 term.
Lane, director of fire engineering at specialist consultancy Wintech, brings over 30 years of experience in the fire safety sector to the role.
Lane began his career in 1990 and gained significant experience at Arup Fire, where he contributed to major projects such as the Sage entertainment venue in Gateshead. His subsequent roles included senior fire engineering positions at Tenos, SAFE Fire Consultants (now Ramboll Fire), Hilson Moran, and BB7. He joined Wintech in 2023, leading the consultancy’s fire engineering division.
In addition to his professional roles, Lane has played a key part in developing several British Standards, including BS 9999, BS 9991, and BS 7974. He also contributed to the government-led review of Approved Document B, part of the Building Regulations for fire safety.
A long-standing member of the IFE, Lane has served on its Board of Trustees for six years and on the Registrants Group, which oversees Chartered Engineer (CEng) applications.
Speaking on his appointment, Lane said: “It’s a true privilege to serve as the international president of the IFE. I extend my sincere thanks to my predecessor, Trent Fearnley, whose efforts have strengthened our global ties. I aim to build on this strong foundation and continue driving the IFE forward.”
Lane will be supported during his term by Mark Reilly CMIFireE, recently appointed international president elect. Reilly brings extensive leadership experience from the Australian Branch and the International General Assembly and is a past recipient of the Australian Fire Service Medal.
In his inaugural address, Lane stressed the importance of integrity, transparency, and adherence to best practice in the fire engineering profession, affirming his commitment to advancing the IFE’s global mission.
