John Barton - Profile

John has been a full-time RFU official since 2001 within the role of Assistant National General Secretary, in his time John has made a significant impact in progressing local recognition agreements, branch development and as the RFU’s lead officer on a number of national working groups, many IPDS related. Experienced in industrial relations, John aims to broaden the involvement of the RFU at local level giving its members ownership of its service providing a bigger say in how fire services change to incorporate ‘best value’ for all concerned.

Having experienced the ‘modernisation’ process both locally and nationally John is suitably placed to move the RFU forward embarking on a new era in which the RFU faces major challenges to ensure the organisation continues to be the ‘only’ representative body who understands the needs and expectations of RDS staff.

Drawing on his 30 years of experience as an RDS OIC and lay official John has been an asset to the RDS when putting forward the views and concerns of RFU members at national level. All his hard work and efforts were rewarded when in September 2006 John was appointed as National General Secretary Designate due to the retirement of the then NGS, Derek Chadbon.

John is committed to the task and will use his skills wherever possible to ensure that the RFU viewpoint is communicated and understood.

Tristan Ashby - Profile

Tristan has been with the RFU since it's relocation to Norfolk back in 1997 working his way to his current role as Assistant National General Secretary (ANGS) in 2007. Having worked the RDS for 5 years (and counting) Tristan realises the benefits to his primary role that being Retained at the sharp end can bring.

Focusing on Human Resources and Public Relations Tristan is passionate about the role the RFU has to play within the UK Fire Service believing that there is a need for a 'moderate' organisation that represents the needs of RDS personnel.

Tristan has been representing the RFU at National and Local level (Tristan is also the RFU County Secretary for Norfolk) for a number of years specifically covering Health and Safety, Equality and Diversity and New Dimension issues he is also experienced in the Disciplinary & Grievance Procedures.

Tristan is relishing the new challenge of being the ANGS and aims to increase the profile of the RFU nationally and the benefits RFU membership can bring to its members.