Trent has more than 25 years' experience in the fire industry, having held positions including fire engineer, technical trainer, specialist fire investigator and operational fire officer.
He was instrumental in the development of the New Zealand Diploma in Fire Engineering and is the fire industry representative on the Vocational Engineering Education in New Zealand Board. Trent is also an active member of the New Zealand and Australian Standards committee where he represents the IFE.
Trent has been awarded a Building Officials Institute of New Zealand Excellence Award for Outstanding Commitment to Information, Skills Development and Education of Building Officials.
He has now retired from his role as the National Advisor for Fire Risk Management in Fire and Emergency New Zealand and has started a private consulting company, Gordian Executive Consultants Ltd.