First Women alumnus Dany Cotton has been appointed as Interim London Fire commissioner by the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority.

It comes as the Brigade marked 150 years of operations in the capital this year, with Cotton becoming the first woman, in its history, to assume this role.

Cotton will take the reins from the current post holder Ron Dobson, who will leave the Brigade at the end of December this year.

Cotton is currently the organisation’s director of Safety and Assurance, and in 2014 she was the recipient of the First Women of Public Service award. She will commence her term in January 2017.

She said: “I am delighted to be appointed the Brigade’s Interim London Fire Commissioner at such an important time in the Brigade’s history.

“[I] am looking forward to continuing all of the hard work we have been doing that has had such an impact on reducing fires and improving fire safety across the capital.”

Dobson has served the Brigade for 37 years, and will continue manage the development of its sixth draft London Safety Plan until he leaves on 31 December.

Fiona Twycross, chair of London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority said: “I am very pleased that we have appointed such an experienced and well respected fire and rescue officer, who can take on the challenge of protecting Londoners, and maintain the exceptionally high standards of service Ron Dobson has built up during his nine years as London Fire commissioner.

“I think it’s also worth celebrating that on the anniversary of its 150th year, the Brigade has been able to appoint the first woman Fire Commissioner to serve the capital.”