AACE structure

Anthony Marsh SBStJ, FASI, MBA, MSc, DSc h.c is the Chair of AACE and started his career in the Ambulance Service in 1987 where he began working with the non-urgent Patient Transport Service in Essex. Over the following 20 years he worked his way up to become one of the leading Ambulance Service Chief Executives in the country and is now CEO of West Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust.

Anthony was Chief Executive of Essex Ambulance Service where he led the organisation from being zero rated to a top performing three star Trust. Anthony had held senior posts in a number of Services including Hampshire and Lancashire before becoming Director of Operations at Greater Manchester Ambulance Service. Whilst in that post, he was in charge of organising ambulance cover for the 2002 Commonwealth Games.

Anthony holds an MBA and an MSc in Strategic Leadership. In April 2012 he was awarded an Honorary Degree (Doctor of Science) from the University of Wolverhampton. The award was made by the University’s School of Health and Well Being, ‘in recognition of his exceptional contribution to the Emergency Preparedness of the United Kingdom and his vision and leadership in the development of an outstanding ambulance service for the people of the West Midlands.’

Martin Flaherty OBE joined London Ambulance Service (LAS) in 1979 as a front line ambulance technician and paramedic and followed this with 25 years as a manager and executive director in a variety of positions. He was responsible for coordinating the emergency medical response to the 7^th July bombings in 2005, work for which he was awarded an OBE in the 2006 New Year Honours. He became Deputy Chief Executive of LAS in May 2009.

Following stints on secondment with the Irish Ambulance Service/HSE as Strategic Ambulance Advisor and at Great Western Ambulance Service as Interim Chief Executive, Martin was also the Senior Responsible Officer (SRO) for the LAS Olympic and Paralympic Programme. This was a five year programme culminating in the successful delivery of the 2012 Games in London. Martin ended his career with LAS in January 2013 as interim CEO before taking up his role as Managing Director of the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE).

Martyn Salter, a qualified accountant (FCCA), joined the NHS almost 40 years ago.

During his NHS career, Martyn has filled various senior roles in central London and Surrey.  For the past 20 years he has worked at the London Ambulance Service (LAS), initially as deputy director of finance and more recently managing an efficiency team. Martyn is currently seconded two days a week to AACE from LAS, and is responsible for all aspects of finance.  He is also the company secretary.

Steve Irving BSc (Hons); MCPara is an experienced paramedic with over 25 years service in the London London Ambulance Service (LAS), latterly as Executive Officer to the Chief Executive.

Steve now works as Executive Officer at AACE on a full time basis and works closely with the Managing Director across a broad range of AACE related issues. Steve is also the main organiser of the annual Ambulance Leadership Forum, which falls under the AACE remit.

Anna Parry worked for the London Ambulance Service (LAS) prior to joining the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE) as the Deputy Head of Olympic Planning. Anna previously worked in NHS project management roles for a cardiac network and a primary care trust. Her career in the public sector commenced on the National Graduate Development Programme for Local Government during which she studied for a Diploma in Local Government Management. She subsequently completed a Masters in Public Management at Warwick Business School. Anna is responsible for the AACE’s national programme, which is comprised of the ten national director group work programmes and AACE-specific projects.

Sam Williams is the Executive Assistant at AACE with a busy role looking after the AACE team, handling administration and providing general support to the whole organisation. Sam is also the first point of contact for all AACE enquiries and Executive Assistant to Managing Director Martin Flaherty. Sam spent much of her previous career in the Civil Service especially in the Department for International Development, in the House of Commons and in the Ministry of Justice. She then spent three years at London Ambulance Service as PA to the Human Resources and Medical Directors providing executive support.

Carl Rees is the contracted communications specialist for AACE, working one day each week to support the development of the AACE’s external profile. Carl has held a number of senior communications roles within the NHS since 1996, and has worked extensively with ambulance services and their partner agencies for many years.