The board of London’s Air Ambulance Charity has announced the appointment of Bob Forsyth as the new Chair of the Board of Trustees. 

Bob has been a trustee of the Charity since 2017 and has been the Chair of the Board’s Audit and Risk Committee for over four years. Bob is currently a Senior Assurance Partner at Ernst & Young LLP, having held a number of senior management roles, including leading transformational change programs. He was also co-Leader of the EY Centre for Board Matters.

Bob’s appointment will take effect when Mark Vickers, the current Chair of Trustees, retires by rotation on 31 March, after seven years in the role. We’re grateful to Mark for all his efforts and enthusiasm over the last seven years and wish him all the best for the future. 

Bob said: “Mark has helped establish a great platform for London’s Air Ambulance Charity. I look forward to taking our life-saving mission to an even higher level.”

The appointment comes after a far-reaching and competitive process, involving external and internal candidates facilitated and guided by Inclusive Boards. 

Bob will bring strong leadership experience and organizational empathy as the Charity continues its implementation of an ambitious program of transformational change. This includes replacing the two helicopters, replacing and expanding the rapid response car fleet, supporting the service’s frontline medical teams and enhancing the Charity’s culture, diversity and inclusion outreach. We look forward to working alongside Bob during this exciting time. 

“This is an exciting and transformational time for London’s Air Ambulance Charity. It has been a huge honor and privilege to be Chair of the Board, and in handing over these responsibilities to Bob I am inspired by the ambitious plans the Charity has for serving the people of London under his leadership,” said Mark Vickers.

At the same time, the Board is recruiting up to four new trustees to expand and refresh the skillsets of the Board. Of the four vacancies, two arise following the retirement by rotation of two trustees, but two opportunities arise after the individuals purposefully did not stand to be reappointed, because of their commitment to enhance the Board’s diversity and inclusion.

This press release was prepared and distributed by London’s Air Ambulance Charity.