29.03.19
Special measures ambulance trust appoints new chief executive
A struggling ambulance trust in special measures has appointed a former army officer as its new chief executive.
South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SECAmb) has announced that Philip Astle, the current chief operating officer at South Central Ambulance Service, will take up the new role on 1 September.
Astle replaces the medical director Fionna Moore who has acted as interim CEO since the departure of Daren Mochrie last year, who left to take over the North West Ambulance Service.
Astle had a career in the British Army including a lead role as a strategist and planner for operations in Afghanistan, and since retiring from the army has held a number of senior operational and leadership roles in both the private and public sectors.
These include director roles on the London 2012 Olympics, in Border Force, and as chief operating officer of Her Majesty’s Passport Office, after which Astle joined South Central Ambulance Service in 2016.
The chair of SECAmb, David Astley, said: “I am delighted that we have made this appointment and I look forward to working closely with Philip to continue to help drive the organisation forward.
“I know that his experience at South Central Ambulance Service and his variety of public and private sector experience will be of real benefit to the trust.
“I would like to thank Fionna for stepping up to offer her expertise ahead of Philip’s arrival.”
SECAmb is currently in special measures after the CQC reported “deep-rooted problems” in 2017.
Philip Astle commented: “I am greatly honoured to have been appointed to this role and look forward to working with the excellent team in place at SECAmb.
“I would like to thank both Daren and Fiona for their leadership and I know that we will build on their successes.”