Susan Johnson OBE, former Executive Director, Business Development at Yorkshire Forward, the Regional Development Agency, is the Chief Executive at County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service.

The appointment meant Susan was the first woman and non-uniformed chief executive to lead a Fire and Rescue Service in the United Kingdom.

In her role, Susan oversees a budget of over £27million and 690 employees and is responsible for the delivery of community safety to over half a million residents throughout the County Durham and Darlington area.

Susan attended Sunderland University and holds a first class honours degree in Business Studies and an MBA from Durham University. Susan has spent 14 years in national and international marketing positions for a number of household-name companies.

In 1996, Susan was appointed Chief Executive of the Northern Business Forum focussing on economic development and promoting business excellence before moving to Yorkshire Forward, the Regional Development Agency in 2000. At Yorkshire Forward, Susan held the position of Executive Director, Business Development and was responsible for inward investment, business support, international trade, supply chain development, regional e-Business links and innovation and competitiveness and was awarded an OBE for services to New Deal in the North East in 2000. In 2006 Susan was awarded an Honorary Fellowship of the University of Sunderland in recognition of her services to business in the North East.