Keynote SpeakersDr Sabrina Cohen-Hatton is one of the world’s most senior female fire officers.
After leaving home at the age of just 15 and school at 16, she overcame extreme personal adversity and a period of homelessness before starting a career as a firefighter.
At night school, she studied for a 1st Class Honours degree in Psychology, a Master’s in International Fire Service Development, and a PhD in Behavioural Neuroscience.
She is now recognised as a leading international expert on risk-critical decision-making in crises. Sabrina is an Honorary Research Fellow at Cardiff University.
Sabrina has presented her work worldwide and used her research to change deeply ingrained national policy. As a result, she has won international acclaim for her prize-winning work.
As a Chief Fire Officer, Sabrina Cohen-Hatton has attained the highest firefighting rank possible in the UK.
Her operational experience includes leading the fire service response to major incidents such as the London Bridge terror attack, the Finsbury Park terror attack and the aftermath of Grenfell.
Sabrina Cohen-Hatton – Chief Fire Officer Speaker
As an inspirational speaker, Sabrina can discuss themes such as resilience, decision-making under pressure, DE&I, risk and leadership.
Furthermore, based on her best-selling book, Sabrina can discuss Gender Bias. After leaving home at 15 and going through extreme personal adversity and homelessness, Sabrina gained first-hand experience of the hurdles women face to become successful. In The Gender Bias, she explores the everyday prejudices women experience through the prism of success. From leadership to risk-taking, perception, and failure, Sabrina exposes the invisible barriers holding women back.
Awards
Sabrina is a strong advocate for social mobility and is an ambassador for The Big Issue and Street Vet.
She was named one of The Big Issues’ top 100 changemakers, a Marie Clare Future Shaper, and featured in Cosmopolitan’s Millennial Power List.
In 2023, Sabrina was appointed an advocate for Homewards, a major initiative the Prince of Wales led to end homelessness. Through her role in Homewards, she focuses on creating systemic change to end homelessness for good.
In 2024, Sabrina was awarded the King’s Fire Service Medal (KFSM) in the King’s Birthday Honours. This prestigious honour was recognised for her outstanding leadership and contribution to the fire and rescue service.
Books
Her publications include Heat of the Moment, published in 2019, and The Gender Bias, published in 2023. Both expose the barriers that hold women back and show how to break them.
