NWAS new Chief Executive

North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust is pleased to announce the appointment of Derek Cartwright as its new Chief Executive.

Following a rigorous and challenging selection process, the decision to appoint Derek was announced on Tuesday 10th May 2016.

Derek has held the role of Interim Chief Executive since the departure of former chief Bob Williams in March and has had a long career in the ambulance service in the North West.

Derek joined Greater Manchester Ambulance Service (GMAS) as a member of its patient transport service in 1986. He progressed to the emergency service in 1988 where he became a paramedic and then a manager. Derek continued his career in Greater Manchester and in 2003 he was appointed to the post of Operations Director and operated as a member of the GMAS Board.

On establishment of the North West Ambulance Service in 2006, Derek was appointed to the post of Area Director for the Cumbria and Lancashire area and was subsequently promoted to Director of Emergency Services in 2009.

In November 2012, Derek was appointed to the role of Director of Operations and then in March 2016 he was appointed as Interim Chief Executive.

Derek said: "I am very proud to be given this opportunity to take the Trust forward and am looking forward to working together with staff and partners in the region to make sure we provide quality, compassionate care for our patients."

Commenting on the appointment, Trust Chair, Wyn Dignan said: "I am very pleased to announce this decision which came after a challenging selection process.

"Derek has many years of experience with the Trust and is a very highly respected member of the NWAS team. I have no doubt that with his passion and drive for the Service our staff and patients will all benefit from his leadership.

"With this appointment, we are now in a position to move forward and look to the future -- we want to ensure that the North West Ambulance Service can continue to be a Service that the people of the North West are proud of."

Derek received the Queen's Ambulance Medal (QAM) in the New Year's Honours list on 2014. He lives in Bolton with his wife Joanne, has four grown up children and a Grandson.

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