Head of Clinical Operations
East of England Ambulance Service
I have been with EEAST approaching 26 years following previous careers in industry and HM Forces. I served in the RAF between 1985-1994 within the RAF Police as a Dog Handler operating and training in bases across the UK, including Northern Ireland and overseas in the Falkland Islands. After starting as a student, I progressed to paramedic within 2 years.
I became a team leader and assessor, allowing me to positively influence my teams and students’ delivery of clinical care to our patients. I progressed to become a senior manager, with joint operational and clinical responsibilities, before moving into a projects and planning role where I was able to develop and introduce large scale organisational change.
From there, I moved into senior leadership roles where I am managing larger groups of staff but still maintaining the ability to shape and develop improved patient outcomes. I have been my trusts Armed Forces Champion for some 10 years working to create an enduring relationship between the AF community and the ambulance service.
I have led EEAST to twice be awarded as a Gold Award holder of the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme and also accredited with the Veterans Covenant Healthcare Alliance (VCHA). As a veteran of the UK Armed Forces, I recognise and value the contributions that service personnel can make when transitioning into a civilian role; it is important that we can make their change of career as smooth as possible.
