In an era where lithium-ion batteries power everything from our phones to our cars, a pressing question is emerging: Are we doing enough to manage the risks that come with them?
On 25th June 2025, we co-hosted the “Powering the Future” Lithium-ion Battery Safety Conference in partnership with leading law firm Pinsent Masons. Held in central London, the event brought together fire safety professionals, insurers, housing associations, and policy experts for a half-day programme packed with real-life case studies, risk mitigation insights, and panel discussions designed to ignite meaningful action.
And action is exactly what’s needed.
“When the fire starts, it’s already too late to prepare”
The morning began with a stark and emotional case study from West Midlands Fire & Rescue Service, where Fire Investigation Officer Annette Carrington shared her experience of investigating a fatal lithium-ion battery fire.
Annette then handed over to Ehsia Johnson-Mall, whose sister sadly died in the fire. Ehsia bravely gave the audience a family member’s perspective on the impact of a tragic fire event. The story served as a sobering reminder of the speed and severity of battery fires, as well as the devastating impact they can have on lives and livelihoods.
Matt Humby, Senior Technical Consultant at Firechief® Global, followed with a call for change: “Taking action on lithium-ion batteries is no longer optional. The risks are escalating in our homes, businesses, and public services.”
Practical solutions. Not just more discussion.
The conference was designed to offer more than just alarming statistics.
Graeme Warnell of EV EXbox outlined practical tools for assessing lithium-ion fire risk, while AXA’s Douglas Barnett gave an insurer’s perspective on liability and prevention, which is an increasingly vital viewpoint for businesses and landlords alike.
From legal insights by Laura White of Pinsent Masons to risk mitigation in action from GenToo Housing Association, attendees were given plenty of insightful content to assist in navigating the legislative, technical, and operational complexities of the lithium-ion battery fire risk.
Two powerful panels. One urgent message.
A highlight of the day was the back-to-back panel discussions, both of which prompted a lot of questions from attendees in the room.
The first, chaired by our own Matt Humby, focused on standards and product safety, exploring how the industry and regulators can work together to push for more rigorous testing, accreditation, and innovation in battery manufacturing and fire safety equipment.
The second panel was discussing people and safe practices, chaired by Mark Glover, and featured leaders from the London Fire Brigade, Veolia, and Materials Focus. The key takeaway was that education is critical, with this being an emerging risk. Consumers need to know the risks and how to respond.
A valuable networking opportunity.
Feedback from the attendees showed just how valuable networking is for a critical topic like lithium-ion battery fire safety.
Gavin Anderson, Head of Policy & Stakeholder Engagement at Veolia, said, "Bringing these people together will help to drive some of the change that we need to see, both at a business level and at a citizen level"
Sir Ken Knight, who closed out the event with a summary speech, stated, "There are very positive messages from today, how the wider industries can come together, including the regulators who are here, including the housing associations, that can understand how to mitigate the risk and help people feel confident about lithium-ion batteries in the future."
Where do we go from here?
The many perspectives shared at the event show that this is a complex issue, and at Firechief® Global, we’re committed to supporting this ongoing conversation through further events, our Firechief Academy CPD training courses, and the Lithium-ion Battery Safety product range. If you are interested in attending our next conference, express your interest here.
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Disclaimer
The information contained within this blog is provided solely for general informational and educational purposes and is not intended as a substitute for professional advice. Before taking any actions based upon this information, we advise the reader to consult all relevant statutory or regulatory guidance and, where necessary, to consult a qualified fire or industry regulation professional. The use or reliance on any information contained herein is solely at the reader's risk.