The Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE) is delighted to congratulate Dr Simon Brown on being awarded an Honorary Companionship by the Royal College of Paramedics in recognition of his exceptional contribution to the paramedic profession and his longstanding support of paramedic practice across the UK.
The award was presented today, 14 July 2026, during the Royal College of Paramedics Honours and Awards celebration event in Sheffield.
At the heart of Dr Brown’s contribution to the profession has been his leadership of the Joint Royal Colleges Ambulance Liaison Committee (JRCALC) Clinical Guidelines. Since 2004, he has led and supported the development of the guidance that underpins clinical decision-making for paramedics and ambulance clinicians every day across the UK.
For more than two decades, Dr Brown has worked tirelessly to ensure JRCALC guidance remains evidence-based, practical and relevant to frontline care. Through periods of significant change in pre-hospital healthcare, he has overseen the continued evolution of the guidelines, helping to transform them from traditional reference and pocket books into the comprehensive digital resource used daily by thousands of clinicians.
His unique combination of clinical expertise, leadership and collaborative working has enabled him to guide the development of countless clinical guidelines, often bringing together professionals from different backgrounds to reach consensus in areas where the evidence base is still emerging. By continuing to work closely alongside paramedics, he has ensured the guidance remains firmly grounded in the realities of pre-hospital practice.
Dr Brown has also championed improvements within JRCALC that help promote equitable patient care, including ensuring guidance reflects health inequalities and the needs of diverse patient populations. His commitment to maintaining alignment with national legislation, policy and guidance has helped make JRCALC one of the most trusted and important clinical resources available to the profession.
Alongside his work with JRCALC, Dr Brown has dedicated more than 40 years to the NHS in a variety of clinical and leadership roles, including as a GP, Assistant Medical Director at South Central Ambulance Service, Medical Lead for Thames Valley Air Ambulance since its inception, and as a Clinical Governance Lead and air crew member. He has also served as a voluntary first responder with Thames Valley BASICS since 1982.
His distinguished career has included responding to major incidents such as the 7 July 2005 London bombings and the Ufton Nervet rail crash in 2004.
Cathryn James, Senior Clinical Support Manager at AACE, said:
“I am absolutely delighted that Simon has been awarded an Honorary Companionship by the Royal College of Paramedics. This is a richly deserved recognition of the enormous contribution he has made to the paramedic profession over many years.
Simon has been instrumental in shaping and developing the JRCALC Clinical Guidelines into the vital resource they are today. Generations of paramedics have relied on the guidance he has helped create and maintain, often without realising the depth of expertise, commitment and hard work that sits behind it.
His leadership, clinical knowledge and ability to bring people together have ensured that JRCALC continues to evolve and meet the needs of frontline clinicians while maintaining the highest standards of patient care. His impact on paramedic practice across the UK cannot be overstated.
Despite all he has achieved, Simon remains humble, approachable and wholly focused on improving care for patients. On behalf of AACE, I would like to offer him my warmest congratulations on this well-deserved honour.”
Everyone at AACE extends their sincere congratulations to Dr Brown and thanks him for his outstanding service, leadership and enduring contribution to the advancement of paramedic practice and patient care.
