Term of office: 01.03.2025 – 29.02.2028 3rd term  

Nick has worked in varying roles within the ambulance service for nearly 17 years. He is a Critical Care Paramedic Team Leader and also works within our Kent Emergency Operations Centre on the Critical Care Desk. This is his third term of office as a Staff Governor.

Nick is keen to see wider staff voices included in decision making and is particularly interested in the improvement of staff welfare.

Declared interests: none.

Term of Office: 01.03.2025 – 29.02.2028

Garrie Richardson has been a dedicated member of our West Emergency Operations Centre where he has served as a senior manager for the past six years. In this role as an Emergency Operation Centre Manager he has overall responsibility for the busy and high-pressured operations centre, including 999 call handling and dispatch functions

His latest role as Business Support Manager sees him provide support within Integrated Emergency and Urgent Care Directorate for key stakeholders across the trust.

Garrie is also the Chair of the Staff LGBTQ+ Network, ‘Pride in SECAmb’, where he champions inclusivity and support for all staff members.

 As an Operational Staff Governor, Garrie is passionate about addressing inequalities in healthcare and combating discrimination. He is committed to ensuring that training within the trust framework is comprehensive and equitable for all.

Declaration of Interest: Chair of the LGBTQ+ Network at SECAmb.

Term of office: 01.03.2022 – 28.02.2025

Kirsty is the Business Support Manager for the Medical Directorate and has worked for the Trust in a variety of roles for over 20 years.

Kirsty notes that non-Operational staff provide a vital service to the Trust and are often the forgotten workforce as without these staff, our operational workforce would not be able to deliver the care they do for our patients.

Kirsty is particularly interested in improving systems and processes and supporting the wellbeing of all our staff.

Declared interests: Bank contract for NATS and caseworker for SSAFA

Term of office: 01/03/2023 – 28.02.2026

Leigh’s first term as Governor was in 2020 and he has recently been appointed as Lead Governor. Alongside his work as a Governor Leigh has served as a volunteer Community First Responder (CFR) for ten years. During this time he has served as CFR Team Lead in Crowborough and has received the Queens Award for Voluntary Service. He currently holds the position of Senior CFR Team Leader for the Paddock Wood Operating Unit overseeing and working to develop all CFR teams in the area and their respective communities.

Declared interests:

Senior CFR Team Leader – SECAmb Volunteer Responder from Nov 2011 to present.

Chair of Trustees – Crowborough Community First Responders from Nov 2016 to Present

Term of office: 01/04/24 – 31/03/27

I am from Brighton in East Sussex, and I am at the beginning of my career in the vast
healthcare world. In addition to studying Health and Social care, I work as a Lifeguard and volunteer for St John Ambulance. From a young age, I have admired the Ambulance Service and all who are a part of it with my future goal to join them as a Paramedic. I have lived in the Brighton area all my life and I am excited to work with others and represent the local community with SECAmb.

Related Interests: Healthcare and Constructive Planning & Paramedicine

Declared Interests: none.

Term of Office: 01.03.2025 – 29.02.2028

Mark Rist retired as Director of Response & Resilience from Kent Fire and Rescue Service in December 2024, after 31 years of dedicated service. His career spanned roles in East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service, the London Fire Brigade, and Kent Fire & Rescue Service.

Throughout his service, Mark worked closely with ambulance service colleagues in frontline operations and later in planning multi-agency responses, including support for SECAmb during the COVID-19 pandemic. This experience provided him with valuable insights into the workings of the ambulance service and the dedication of its staff to delivering excellent public service.

In 2021, Mark was appointed as a Governor for SECAmb, finding the role both informative and rewarding. Governors actively contribute to the service by supporting the board, particularly the Non-Executive Directors. Upon retiring, Mark chose to continue his support for SECAmb and was elected as a Public Governor for Brighton & East Sussex.

Mark continues to work part-time, mentoring and developing the next generation of Fire and Rescue Service commanders.

Declaration of Interest: A Trustee for the Charity Kent Search & Rescue

Term of office: 01.03.2025 – 29.02.2028

Frances Pollard has lived and worked in South East England for more than 50 years and has had a connection with the emergency services for most of her working life.

In the late 80s and 90s, Frances worked as a nurse in both the NHS and the private sector before opting for a career change and becoming a police officer in 19995.  She retired in 2022 at the rank of Chief Inspector, with more than 26 years of service with the Metropolitan Police Service.

Frances is deeply committed to those who work in the emergency services. She has previous experience using the ambulance service and has worked closely with them in her previous roles. She joined SECAmb as a governor to help consider how to improve public and employee satisfaction and promote acknowledgment of the important role of SECAmb undertakes within the NHS structure.

Frances is dedicated to improving the systems and support for the emergency service workers and is passionate about making a positive impact in her community.

Declared interests: Invigilator for public Exams

Term of office: 01.03.2025 – 29.02.2028 – 2nd Term

Martin has been a resident of Surrey for 26 years. From 2004 to 2019 he worked for the London Ambulance Service as a Service Development Manager then as a programme/project manager. Prior to this he had a career in the Post Office then Royal Mail.

He has user experience of ambulance services, and believes this two-sided perspective, as an NHS worker and as a patient/relative, gives him a broad perspective on the challenges to the ambulance service.

He is particularly interested in the Trusts recruitment and retention work and is keen for the council to embrace the ‘critical friend’ role while acting as the voice of the public in a constructive way. This is Martin’s second term of office at SECAmb.

Declared interests: Lay representative NHS England Training and Workforce Directorate, Kent, Surrey and Sussex – 2022 – 2027

Term of office: 01.03.2025 – 29.02.2028

Aidan is an experienced NHS operational leader with more than 10 years’ service in acute NHS providers across Surrey. He has previously served as a staff governor at Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Currently, Aidan is Head of General Medicine at Royal Surrey County Hospital and is keen to support SECAmb as a key partner organisation.

 In his spare time, Aidan serves as a Commissioned Officer in the British Army, leading medical teams as a Troop Commander in the Royal Army Medical Service.

He has deployed alongside military paramedics and combat medics both domestically and internationally to support their development and capabilities.

 Aidan has a strong interest in NHS leadership and decision-making. He is currently undertaking PhD research in this field, aiming to enhance how NHS leaders evaluate complex environments and make decisions.

Declared interests: Employed full time with Royal Surrey County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

Term of office: 01/03/2023 – 28.02.2026

Peter served as a Public Governor at the Queen Victoria Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in East Grinstead for the maximum term of six years, including five years on the Appointments Committee, two years as Governor Representative on the Finance and Performance Committee, and the last three years as Lead Governor. Prior to his retirement Peter performed several senior employed and consultancy roles in the field of Human Resources in the NHS, in both hospital and primary care sectors. He also has wide experience working with local communities in both a professional and voluntary capacity and is currently chair of two community-based charities in the theatre arts. Peter is looking forward to contributing to the effective Governance of SECAmb.

Declared interests: Member of GP Practice Patient Participation Group from 2022 to present

Term of office: 01/04/24 – 31/03/27

Ray was  for 12 years a  Governor at the Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust until his term of office recently came to an end. For 3 years he was Deputy Lead Governor. During that time he experienced the value of the involvement of the public in a Trust’s affairs through its Governors. He also saw first hand the importance of the ambulance service and the skills of its staff. Consequently he decided to put his name forward to be a Governor at SECamb and was delighted to be elected.

As for his background he was

• first a medical physicist;
• then Director of UK body responsible for all medical devices except medicines;
• finally Director, Department of Health, responsible for information management and IT in the NHS.

Declared Interests: none.

Term of office: 01.03.2025 – 29.02.2028 – 2nd Term      

Andrew lives in Crawley and leads the Crawley Community First responder scheme which he set up in that area.

Previously he had a successful business career as Chief Executive of three companies.

His involvement with the Trust goes back for over thirty years as he has been a St John Ambulance volunteer for decades. In that role, he assisted the Trust by providing emergency ambulance support in peak times. Throughout the pandemic he has continued to support the Trust on a St John Ambulance weekly attending mainly C3 calls.

Andrew is keen to work constructively and support, question, challenge and help the Trust to move ahead and improve where needed.

Andrew was elected, by his peers, to be the Lead Governor from June 2024 to June 2025

Declared interests: none

Term of office: 01/03/2023 – 28.02.2026

Harvey has previously been a Governor for SECAmb so knows what the role involves. He has also worked alongside SECAmb providing first aid and event management with St John’s Ambulance. Harvey says “I firmly believe that only through the people can SECAmb deliver the services you rightly expect, and that will be my main focus as Governor. For me, meeting and engaging with SECAmb people, members and patients is a crucial part of this role”.

Declared interests: none.

Term of Office: 01.03.2025 – 29.03.2028

Born in Ayrshire, Scotland, Andrew has dedicated more than two decades to the fire service, bringing a wealth of experience and expertise to emergency response and public safety.

He has lived in West Sussex for more than 23 years, where his career in firefighting first began with West Sussex Fire and Rescue.

Currently serving as a Station Officer at Paddington Fire Station within the London Fire Brigade, Andrew plays a crucial role in leading crews, managing emergency incidents, and ensuring operational readiness.

His professional development and achievements include training in Tier 3 fire investigation and emergency response driving, equipping him with the skills to assess fire scenes and make critical decisions under pressure.

Andrew has managed many high-profile incidents and consistently drives high standards in his daily work. With a deep commitment to public safety, leadership, and continuous learning, he has built a reputation for reliability, integrity, and excellence in his field. His extensive experience in fire service operations has made him a respected figure among colleagues, always striving to uphold the highest standards of safety and professionalism.

Declaration of Interest: Secondary employment – Station Officer with London Fire Brigade

Term of office 7 July 2022 – 7 July 2025

This branch of Age UK supports those aged over 50 living in Thanet to remain independent. They also work to reduce loneliness and isolation. Vanessa has worked in the Health and Social Care Sector for over 30 years. She has been a Registered Manager both in the UK and in South Australia. She worked with the South Australian Government and set up the first Supported Residential Facility for Adults with Mental Health Issues, offering rehabilitation, inclusion and independence. She has also worked with the British Red Cross and supported Asylum Seekers, Unaccompanied Minors and Refugees to find their loved ones when contact had been lost through war, conflict or natural disaster. She has also worked for Social Services supporting adults over 65 with Mental Health Issues and has been an Investigating Officer in Safeguarding alerts.

Declared interests: CEO of Thanet Age UK

Term of office: 15 July 2022 – 14 July 2025

Angela is the Dean of the School of Sport and Health Sciences at the University of Brighton and is the Education representative Governor. She works closely with other Higher Education Providers, NHS colleagues and other Health and Social care providers across the region on the training and development of Nurses, Midwives and Allied Health Professionals in order to meet workforce needs.

In her Governor role she is particularly focused on developing and retaining the paramedic workforce, and supporting our qualified paramedics to work with students in the field. This role will enable her to gain further insight into the Trust and enhance collaborative working.

Angela lives in Mid Sussex, and was a Public Governor for The Queen Victoria NHS Foundation Trust for 6 years. She is a Physiotherapist by background and worked for NHS Trusts in Sussex, Kent, London and Bristol before moving into academia.

Declared interests: Dean, School of Sports & Health Sciences, University of Brighton.

Term of office: 08 March 2024 – 08 March 2027.

Ellie is a Governance Officer at Queen Victoria Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. Working as part of the corporate governance team she provides support to the Trusts assurance committees, ensuring information flow from ward to board and sound decision-making. She believes that robust governance systems and practices are fundamental in the provision of high quality patient care.

Ellie joined QVH in August 2022 from East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service and has spent much of her career working in governance roles within local authorities. She is currently studying with the Chartered Governance Institute for her Advanced Certificate in Health Service Governance.

Declared interests: Governance Officer at Queen Victoria Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

Term of office: 19 March 2024 – 19 March 2027

Stephen is the Hospital Director for Worthing and Southlands Hospitals, part of University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust. Appointed in March 2023 he is responsible and accountable for the management and leadership of the Hospitals, including delivery of safe and high-quality clinical care and the best possible patient experience. He delivers hospital performance and effective day-to-day flow whilst working with the clinical leadership teams to deliver local and national performance targets and standards. Prior to joining the Trust, Stephen was a Captain in the Royal Navy where he served for 33 years as a Logistics Officer.

Declared interests: Hospital Director at University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust.

Term of office: 25.04.24 – 24.04.27  

Andy is a qualified social worker who has held a variety of leadership roles within health and social care for almost 30 years. He is currently the Deputy Chief Operating Officer at Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. Within his roles he has supported the development of a Single Point of Access (connecting with 111) for people who have poor mental health and Safe Havens within Surrey (drop-in services for people that reduce presentations to Emergency Departments). He has a keen interest in how all of the public sectors can work together to support marginalised and vulnerable groups of people.

Andy is a Surrey resident and away from work has a keen interest in watching sports and enjoys time attempting to keep fit!

Declared interests: Deputy Chief Operating Officer for Surrey and Boarders NHS Foundation Trust.

Term of office: November 2024 – November 2027

Matt is responsible for delivery of Kent Fire and Rescue Service’s operational response, our fire stations, fire and rescue control centre, and national resilience assets.

Matt’s areas of responsibility also include health and safety, fleet and equipment, business continuity, and emergency planning arrangements.

Matt has served with KFRS for 20 years. Prior to becoming director, Matt served as an area manager and then assistant director in KFRS, leading the response function. He began his career as a firefighter and has also worked in our fire and rescue control centre.

Matt has additional roles with the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) as the lead officer for transport and infrastructure. He has also recently been appointed as a trustee of Kent Search and Rescue (KSAR).

Matt holds a BA in War Studies and History, an MA in Management, and is also a Member of the Institute of Fire Engineers.

Matt deputises for the chief executive as required.

Declared Interests: Matt is also Director of Response and Resilience for Kent Fire and Rescue Service, which has several partnerships and arrangements with SECAmb.