Air Ambulances UK announces new Chair to lead an exciting new era of support for the UK’s air ambulance charities
Air Ambulances UK has appointed Heather Benjamin as its new Chair to lead the organisation into an exciting new era representing and supporting the UK’s 21 air ambulance charities and wider air ambulance sector.
The appointment, effective from 01 April 2020, follows the successful merger of the former membership-based Association of Air Ambulances and the national charity Air Ambulances UK which took place in January this year.
Providing strong and dynamic vision and leadership, Heather will be at the helm of ensuring the successful delivery of Membership services, including research, clinical and operational development, Government policy and lobbying, specialist knowledge sharing committees and forums as well as national public and media relations.
She will also be at the heart of the Charity’s plans for increasing its fundraising income from national partnerships with businesses and organisations, alongside growing commercial opportunities.
Heather brings a wealth of experience to her Chairmanship of Air Ambulances UK having held senior and Board positions with several large corporate businesses as well as not-for-profit and membership organisations. Her corporate experience includes Chief Procurement Officer at Centrica and Senior Independent Director on the Boards of Portsmouth Water and Cheque and Credit Clearing Company.
She is currently a Non-Executive Director at Supply Chain Coordination Ltd, a new organisation which manages the sourcing, delivery and supply of healthcare products and services and food for NHS Trusts and healthcare organisations.
Heather has previously been a Trustee of Volunteering England and The Academy of St Martins in the Field international orchestra. She also served as Chair of Trustees for learning-disabled organisation, Walsingham Support, for six years before being appointed as its Honorary Vice-President when she stepped down last year.
Says Heather, who is married with two sons: “I am honoured to be leading such an important organisation into an incredibly exciting new era which will see it drive forward innovation, development and funding for the UK’s lifesaving air ambulance charities and wider sector.”
Heather replaces current Chair Liz Campbell, who says: “I am delighted to be passing the Chair of Air Ambulances UK to Heather, having successfully led the organisation through such a pivotal time in its history. I believe Heather’s professional experience and personal traits perfectly combine to provide exemplary leadership delivered with a compassionate and collaborative approach. This is so central to the values of Air Ambulances UK and its stakeholders and will successfully drive forward this new era.”
