About OFR Consultants
What is OFR Consultants?
"Founded in January 2016, OFR Consultants is an independent, employee-owned fire engineering practice. Since its inception with just two founding members, OFR has grown to a team of over 150 technical experts." The practice focuses on "quality, innovation and changing the way that fire engineering is delivered," working with architects, researchers, developers and contractors on everything from large-scale, high-rise developments to local community projects.
Its ownership is unusual for the sector. "OFR Consultants is majority owned by an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT)," introduced in 2025 alongside a long-standing Enterprise Management Incentive (EMI) share option scheme. Every colleague is a beneficiary of the trust and employee representatives sit on its board, giving staff "a greater voice in how the business is run, as well as a share in its success." Founder Sam Liptrott says the structure "safeguards our entrepreneurial spirit, guarantees independence."
Where will I work?
OFR runs eight UK offices — Manchester, London (Farringdon), Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Bath, Bristol and Banbury — plus a French base at Blanquefort. Live vacancies are advertised with "flexible and hybrid working." Regional teams support work across the country, "from Inverness to Portsmouth, Norwich to Cardiff," as well as overseas projects "in locations such as the Falklands and Antarctica."
What is the OFR Consultants team like?
"We are a friendly bunch. We enjoy working together and building relationships based on common interests and fun — being ourselves is an important part of the business." OFR looks for people who are "engaging, enthusiastic" and who want to work "in an environment that promotes innovation and likes to challenge the norm."
Backgrounds are deliberately mixed: the team includes people "with fire engineering degrees as well as those with backgrounds such as civil, mechanical and aeronautical engineering, surveying, physics and mathematics." Early-career routes are well developed, with a graduate programme, summer internships and apprenticeships; new starters get "mentoring, training, and project work" plus a personal development plan. A graduate fire engineer describes the move to employee ownership as giving her "freedom to learn without the need to aim for an executive position to enjoy meaningful rewards." Adjustments during the recruitment process are offered on request.
Work-Life Balance
OFR says it values "the importance of a work-life balance by encouraging flexible working," and both current vacancies list "flexible and hybrid working" in the package. Holiday is "28 days holiday, plus an additional birthday leave day," and there is an "early finish on the last Friday of the month." Staff also get "additional paid leave for charitable work," and a social budget covers team activities so getting to know colleagues does not come out of your own pocket.
Perks and Benefits
- Company pension scheme
- Private medical insurance plus a healthcare cash plan
- Life insurance scheme for all employees
- 28 days holiday, birthday leave and paid charity leave
- EMI share options; majority owned by an employee trust
- Learning and development opportunities
- Staff discount club