South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust and South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust have announced the appointment of Colin Dennis as their first ever Group Chair, marking a significant milestone in the organisations’ growing collaboration.
Colin Dennis was formally appointed by both Councils of Governors on 27 March 2026, following a recommendation from a joint appointment panel. He will take up the role in Spring 2026, providing unified non‑executive leadership across both ambulance trusts.
As Group Chair, Colin will lead both Trust Boards through a critical period of transition, stability and development, as SCAS and SECAmb continue to strengthen joint working arrangements. This includes preparing for the future appointment of a permanent Group Chief Executive, as the two organisations deepen their collaborative approach.
The creation of a Group Chair role reflects a shared commitment to closer partnership, improved efficiency and better outcomes for patients and staff across the regions served by both trusts.
Colin brings a wealth of leadership experience spanning the NHS, social care and the wider public sector. He is currently Chair of the Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust, where he has overseen significant service modernisation and transformation.
His earlier career includes a range of senior non‑executive and executive roles across health, social care, housing, as well as the aviation and financial sectors. Throughout these roles, Colin has developed strong expertise in governance, organisational transformation and leading complex systems through periods of change.
Commenting on his appointment, Colin said:
“I am honoured to be appointed as the first Group Chair for South Central Ambulance Service and South East Coast Ambulance Service. Both organisations play a vital role in delivering urgent and emergency care to millions of people, and I have already been hugely impressed by the professionalism, dedication and compassion of staff across both Trusts.
“I look forward to working with our Boards, Governors, partners and – most importantly – our people to provide clear leadership, stability and direction. Together, we will strengthen collaboration, support our frontline teams, and drive improvements that make a real difference to patient care. In doing so, we will build strong foundations for a safer, more sustainable future for everyone who relies on our services.”
Colin joins SCAS and SECAmb at a time when the two trusts are already working closely together across several key areas. Collaborative initiatives include:
- The development of shared digital and data systems
- Co‑ordinated workforce planning and staff wellbeing services
- Alignment of environmental and sustainability strategies
- Strengthening operational support between frontline teams across the region
These joint programmes aim to improve resilience, ensure consistent standards and maximise the benefits of scale while retaining a strong local focus.
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