CHIEFS APPOINTED FOR NEW AMBULANCE TRUST

Paul Sutton is currently Chief Executive of Sussex Ambulance Service and accountable officer for Kent Ambulance Service, as well as being the transitional lead responsible for bringing the three existing organisations together.

Before joining Sussex as Interim Chief Executive in October 2004, Paul was Director of Operations for East Anglian Ambulance Service. Before joining East Anglia in 2000, Paul had spent ten years with Staffordshire Ambulance since joining as a care assistant in 1990.

During his time in Staffordshire, Paul progressed rapidly - technician and paramedic (1992-96), paramedic dispatch officer (1996-97), distribution manager (1997-98) and Director of Operations from 1998 until 2000.

Paul maintains his state registration as a paramedic.

Speaking about this appointment, Paul said: "I am delighted to have the opportunity to lead the new South East Coast Ambulance Service forwards. The new trust has the potential, through its combined size and expertise, to become truly innovative in developing new services for patients. It's an exciting time to be involved in pre-hospital care, which will enable us to truly focus on the changing needs of our patients and developing our staff to best meet these needs."

The Chairman of the new Trust, Martin Kitchen, is currently the Chair of East Surrey Primary Care Trust.

He previously worked as a fire service officer in London Fire Brigade, before moving to Surrey County Council as Chief Fire Officer and Director of Community Safety, where he remained for twelve years. During this time, he was actively involved in the development of national operational fire service procedures and charitable organisations.

Mr Kitchen is a Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute and also holds a ministerial appointment as non-executive director of Firebuy, a fire service national procurement company, for which he receives remuneration of 4,000pa. He has declared no political activity in the last five years.