Gemma Charlton
Darlington,County Durham
Summary
Results-driven Fire Risk Assessment Programme Manager with extensive experience leading large-scale fire safety compliance programmes including HMOs and hotels. Proven track record in mobilising and delivering end-to-end FRA programmes, driving rapid improvements in statutory compliance, and embedding risk-based approaches to fire safety management.
A confident leader with strong people management, stakeholder engagement, and risk management capability, providing expert advice at senior level and driving continuous improvement across fire safety operations.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work history
Building Surveyor/FRA Programme Manager
Mears Housing - AASC Contract
Darlington , County Durham
2025.01 - Current
- Successfully established, developed, and delivered a comprehensive FRA programme across a 1,800+ property portfolio across Northeast, Yorkshire &Humber, Northern Ireland and Scotland, driving alignment with statutory obligations and organisational standards.
- Transformed compliance performance, increasing from 0% to 100% of HMO properties holding a valid Fire Risk Assessment within 15 months.
- Successfully ensured 100% of identified fire safety actions were either completed or formally programmed, significantly reducing organisational risk exposure.
- Applied advanced technical knowledge of BS5839, BS5266, BS9999, BS8214, and relevant PAS guidance to FRA interpretation and risk-based remedial strategies, ensuring alignment with local HMO standards and Home Office requirements and delivering compliant, practical fire safety solutions.
- Led the implementation of a risk‑based remediation framework, driving timely delivery of high‑risk actions, enhancing programme efficiency, and maintaining strict adherence to contract budget.
- Drove effective use and continuous improvement of compliance monitoring tools, KPIs, and reporting dashboards, enhancing visibility, and supporting informed decision-making at senior level.
- Led the mobilisation and management of fire risk assessors, contractors, and consultants, ensuring consistent quality, competence, and regulatory compliance.
- Strengthened organisational readiness for audits and inspections, maintaining a strong compliance position across a diverse property portfolio.
- Provided expert fire safety advice and led risk-based mitigation following PNC, preventing substantial financial penalties and reinforcing the organisation's regulatory compliance position.
- Drove continuous improvement by embedding best practice, legislative awareness, and structured governance into fire safety operations.
Building Surveyor/Fire Risk Assessor
Mears Housing - AASC Contract
Darlington , County Durham
2023.09 - 2025.01
- Delivered comprehensive fire risk assessments across a varied HMO portfolio, ensuring full compliance with statutory fire‑safety requirements and strengthening organisational risk management.
- Oversaw project timelines and coordinated contractors, surveyors, and key stakeholders, supporting efficient programme delivery and maintaining alignment with organisational priorities.
- Identified early‑stage defects and fire‑safety risks during initial surveys, enabling proactive intervention and reducing the likelihood of unplanned remedial works.
- Produced high‑quality technical reports that informed senior leadership decisions and supported effective asset management and long‑term planning.
- Enhanced occupant safety across the property portfolio by identifying fire hazards and contributing to the development of improved mitigation strategies.
- Delivered detailed fire‑risk and condition reports aligned with building regulations, local authority standards, and internal compliance frameworks.
- Completed comprehensive condition surveys incorporating fire safety, regulatory compliance, and structural integrity assessments to support strategic asset management.
- Strengthened cross‑functional collaboration by working closely with contractors, property managers, and compliance teams to ensure consistent delivery standards and clear communication across projects.
Property Acquisition Officer
Mears Housing - AASC Contract
Darlington , County Durham
2022.04 - 2023.09
- Managed a large and diverse property portfolio across the North East, ensuring effective oversight of acquisitions, inspections, and ongoing asset performance.
- Completed inspections of construction, refurbishment, and repair projects, ensuring work met required standards and aligned with organisational objectives.
- Negotiated with building owners, developers, and local authorities to secure favourable outcomes and deliver completed projects within agreed timeframes.
- Handled negotiations with external vendors and service providers to meet operational needs and maintain high service standards.
- Assessed works for compliance with council planning guidelines and discipline‑specific codes, ensuring adherence to regulatory and technical requirements.
- Advised project teams on construction standards, contributing to the development of durable, technically sound structures.
- Conducted fire risk assessments to identify hazards and outline appropriate mitigation measures, supporting safer environments for occupants.
- Created detailed schedules of work to support project planning, procurement, and delivery.
- Carried out routine quality audits, verifying progress against specifications and initiating corrective actions where required.
- Conducted post‑construction inspections to confirm conformity with agreed plans and ensure readiness for occupation or handover.
- Translated senior management directives into actionable frontline policies, ensuring consistent implementation across teams.
- Applied critical thinking to analyse issues, evaluate solutions, and support informed decision‑making across projects and operational activities.
- Translated senior management directives into actionable front-line policies and implemented changes with staff.
- Applied critical thinking to analyse problems, evaluate solutions and select best decisions.
Contracts Manager
BCS Preservation
Darlington , County Durham
2021.10 - 2022.01
- Supervising and overseeing the direction of projects, this would include 5 projects being worked on, planning up to 30 in advance.
- Ensuring that the client's specifications and requirements are met, reviewing progress, and liaising with surveyors.
- Collaborating with the clients e.g., private landlords and homeowners, local authorities, architects, engineers, building contractors, blue-chip companies as well as private clients.
- Preparing RAMS, SR12's and supporting documents
- Coordinating and supervising technicians and subcontractors.
- Ordering and selecting tools and materials.
- Gaining access to buildings and sites.
- Managing the workload of team, ensuring work is efficient and to time scales/limits.
- Finding ways to prevent problems and to solve any that crop up.
- Gain a wide range of knowledge in property preservation including mould and damp proofing
Property Developer & Project Manager
Fosterhill Properties Limited
Darlington, County Durham
2018.01 - 2021.08
- Headed development of converting 5 bedroom house into 6 apartments.
- Carried out thorough market research to ensure viability and profitability of property developments.
- Sourced and secured funding for projects. Ensuring jobs were completed on time and within budget.
- Liaised with architects and council to obtain necessary planning permissions and documentation in line with planning guidelines.
- Collaborated with architects, builders, blue chip companies and specialists to complete projects.
- Sourced products best suited to conversions and renovations.
- Led and managed resolution of all issues during project construction and commissioning phases.
- Prepared cost reports and maintained accurate records using company work order reporting system.
- Obtained notices of completion and compliance certifications from construction administration consultants.
- Maintained daily communication with vendors to ensure projects were going as planned.
- Lead various refurbishment, conversion and renovation projects, ensuring timely completion for enhanced profits.
- Managed and maintained 12 properties
- Increased turnover rate by 52% in financial year ending January 2020
Managing Director
GC Abrasives Limited
Darlington, County Durham
2016.01 - 2026.01
Court Clerk
Ministry of Justice
Darlington , County Durham
2005.12 - 2015.11
Education
Level 3 - IFSM Approved - Fire Risk Assessment
Fire Safety Risk Assessment Consultancy Limited
Manchester 2025.05 -
Level 3 - QNUK Fire Risk Assessment
CEA
Manchester 2025.05 -
Level 2 - Recognising Damp, Mould, and Condensation in buildings
NOCN Group
Rotherham 2024.05 -
Level 3 - Inspection and Testing of Fire Resisting Door Installations
ProQual
Rotherham 2023.05 -
Level 3 - Recognising Damp, Mould, and Condensation in building
ProQual
Rotherham 2024.04 -
NCFE - Level 2 in Counselling
Darlington College
Darlington 2005
Level 3 - Fire Risk Assessment Awareness
ProQual
Rotherham 2024.04 -
Skills
- Knowledge of fire safety legislation and regulatory frameworks
- Compliance with building regulations and local authority standards
- Strategic decision‑making and problem‑solving
- Translating senior directives into operational delivery
- Cross‑functional team coordination
- Stakeholder and contractor management
- Policy implementation and governance oversight
- Business development and planning
- Property development and project management
- Strategic decision‑making and problem‑solving
- Translating senior directives into operational delivery
- Cross‑functional team coordination
- Stakeholder and contractor management
- Policy implementation and governance oversight
- Target-driven
Timeline
Level 3 - IFSM Approved - Fire Risk Assessment
Fire Safety Risk Assessment Consultancy Limited
2025.05 -
Level 3 - QNUK Fire Risk Assessment
CEA
2025.05 -
Building Surveyor/FRA Programme Manager
Mears Housing - AASC Contract
2025.01 - Current
Level 2 - Recognising Damp, Mould, and Condensation in buildings
NOCN Group
2024.05 -
Level 3 - Recognising Damp, Mould, and Condensation in building
ProQual
2024.04 -
Level 3 - Fire Risk Assessment Awareness
ProQual
2024.04 -
Building Surveyor/Fire Risk Assessor
Mears Housing - AASC Contract
2023.09 - 2025.01
Level 3 - Inspection and Testing of Fire Resisting Door Installations
ProQual
2023.05 -
Property Acquisition Officer
Mears Housing - AASC Contract
2022.04 - 2023.09
Contracts Manager
BCS Preservation
2021.10 - 2022.01
Property Developer & Project Manager
Fosterhill Properties Limited
2018.01 - 2021.08
Managing Director
GC Abrasives Limited
2016.01 - 2026.01
Court Clerk
Ministry of Justice
2005.12 - 2015.11
NCFE - Level 2 in Counselling
Darlington College