South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, (SECAmb), is pleased to announce the appointment of a new Chair, to take affect at the end of May 2024.

Usman Awais Khan will begin a three-year term with SECAmb when current Chair, David Astley, steps down, as previously announced here: https://www.secamb.nhs.uk/chairman-announces-decision-to-step-down-after-more-than-50-years-in-nhs/

The appointment followed a through selection process and was recently formally approved by SECAmb’s Council of Governors.

Usman has been Managing Director of Modus Europe Limited since 2012. The company undertakes management and consultancy assignments and conducts research, analysis and change management activities within the fields of health and social care.

He is also Chair of the Motor Neurone Disease Association and Vice Chair of London Metropolitan University. Usman currently serves as a NED for North Central London NHS Integrated Care Board. He has been a Visiting Professor in Health Management and Policy at KU Leuven, Belgium, since 2019.

His previous executive director roles include with the European Patient Forum (2019-2020), and the European Health Management Association (2016- 2019). Between 2001 and 2012 he served as Managing Director of Matrix Insight – a health economics and evaluation consultancy.

Welcoming Usman’s appointment, SECAmb Lead Governor, Leigh Westwood, said: “On behalf of the SECAmb Council of Governors I welcome Usman’s appointment and know his knowledge of the health sector and experience as a Chairman will serve SECAmb well. I, and my fellow Governors, look forward to working closely with him in the years ahead.”

SECAmb Chief Executive, Simon Weldon said: “I also welcome Usman’s appointment and look forward to working closely with him when he joins us in a few months. His experience will be of huge benefit to SECAmb and I thank our Council of Governors and all those involved in making this strong appointment.”

Usman said: “I am pleased and honoured to have been appointed by the Trust’s Governors to take up the role of Chair of SECAmb.

“I look forward to working with our CEO Simon Weldon and the Board to provide strategic direction and operational support to our fantastic staff and volunteers in delivering the highest possible emergency and urgent care to our communities.”