Chief Executive

Welcome from Colin Dennis, Chair

Dear applicant,

I am delighted you are thinking of applying for the post of Chief Executive at Welsh Ambulance Services University NHS Trust. 

These last few years have been, without question, the toughest in our organisation’s history. Despite numerous challenges, we continue to innovate and to do the very best we can for our patients. We have many great people doing lots of fantastic things across Wales; having the right leadership and mix of skills and experience at the top of the organisation has never been more important for us as we continue our journey towards achievement of our ambitious long-term vision.

In common with other ambulance services and NHS organisations across the UK, we face mounting pressures and must continue our journey of transformation in order to secure and sustain services capable of meeting ever growing and evolving demands. Whilst subject to the same financial imperatives, our constant drive is to ensure safe and high quality care and services to the public. We will need to ensure that our focus on clinical outcomes and safety remain paramount and that services are delivered in the most effective and efficient way possible.

The critical role of culture in WAST’s success is becoming increasingly evident, impacting everything from reputation and brand to employee engagement and ultimately, patient experience. We’ve worked hard to improve our organisational culture, to give colleagues the confidence to speak up and challenge when they know something isn’t right, to share their ideas and challenge our thinking, to ensure an environment where we are safe to bring our whole selves to work and that women and those in marginalised groups feel confident and secure. We want to redefine what it means to be an ambulance service and, while there’s still a long way to go, we believe we are leading the way, as evidenced by our growing national and international reputation as an ambulance service in the vanguard of change for the better.

We’re an ambitious, committed organisation and we’re looking for a leader who embodies that aspiration; someone who is committed to patients and our people, who has resolve and purpose, but also connects with people at a very human level. We need someone who can make compelling arguments to government and influential stakeholders, while retaining the confidence of our staff and our patients; someone who listens and understands the critical importance of our service to the people of Wales, who rely on us when they are at their most vulnerable, and who has the humility to accept challenge and respond to it positively. Our next CEO must be someone with a commitment to working in partnership with our trade unions, commissioners, government, leadership team and the people of Wales to continue to shape and deliver services which will meet the needs of patients now, and for many years to come.

Without doubt, the role will be exciting, challenging and rewarding and you will be joining an already strong and dedicated executive leadership team and Board, committed to delivering our vision and supporting you to succeed.  This is a unique opportunity and if you share my excitement for what we can achieve and want to join me and my Board colleagues to make a real difference in making things happen, then we look forward to receiving your application.