St John Ambulance Cymru appoints new Chief Executive Officer

St John Ambulance Cymru has announced the appointment of Richard Lee as its new Chief Executive Officer, following a rigorous recruitment process that garnered significant interest.

Richard, who lives near Caerphilly, joins the first aid charity for Wales following a 5-year period as the Chief Operating Officer at St John Ambulance in England. His efforts in this role resulted in him being awarded an MBE for services to healthcare during Covid-19 in the 2021 New Year’s Honours List.

St John Ambulance Cymru has appointed Richard Lee MBE as its new Chief Executive Officer
St John Ambulance Cymru has appointed Richard Lee MBE as its new Chief Executive Officer

Originally from South London, but having spent his teenage years in North Wales, he is a Paramedic and also brings with him previous experience as Director of Operations at the Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust. He also saw active service in the Royal Air Force during the Gulf War in 1991 and the UN operations in Bosnia in 1993.

As well as continuing to fulfil a volunteer role with St John Ambulance, he also volunteers for MEDSERVE Wales, a branch of the British Association for Immediate Care (BASICS) charity.

Prior for Wales and Chair of Trustees at St John Ambulance Cymru, Paul Griffiths OBE KStJ DL said:

“Richard brings with him a wealth of experience and a proven track record that aligns seamlessly with the vision and values of our charity.

“His outstanding performance throughout the interview process, coupled with his deep understanding of our organisation, demonstrates his suitability to lead us through our current challenges and beyond."

Richard, who is also a Commander of the Order of St John, added:

“I’m really excited to join St John Ambulance Cymru as its new Chief Executive. I look forward to meeting the volunteers and staff and to learning more about the organisation and facing our challenges together.

“Despite financial pressures, I believe in the charity’s ambition for the future and our focus on people, patients, and communities.”

Richard will begin his new role at St John Ambulance Cymru in early May.

 

St John Ambulance Cymru yn penodi Prif Swyddog Gweithredol newydd

Mae St John Ambulance Cymru wedi cyhoeddi penodiad Richard Lee fel prif Swyddog Gweithredol newydd yr elusen, yn dilyn proses recriwtio drylwyr a ddenodd lawer o ddiddordeb.

Mae Richard, sy'n byw ger Caerffili, yn ymuno ag elusen cymorth cyntaf Cymru yn dilyn cyfnod o 5 mlynedd fel Prif Swyddog Gweithredu St John Ambulance yn Lloegr. Arweiniodd ei ymdrechion yn y rôl hon iddo dderbyn MBE am wasanaethau i ofal iechyd yn ystod Covid-19 yn Rhestr Anrhydeddau’r Flwyddyn Newydd yn 2021.

 Mae Richard Lee MBE wedi cael ei benodi yn Brif Swyddog Gweithredol newydd St John Ambulance Cymru.
Mae Richard Lee MBE wedi cael ei benodi yn Brif Swyddog Gweithredol newydd St John Ambulance Cymru.

Yn wreiddiol o Dde Llundain, ond wedi byw yng Ngogledd Cymru yn ystod ei arddegau, mae’n Barafeddyg ac mae ganddo hefyd brofiad blaenorol fel Cyfarwyddwr Gweithrediadau gydag Ymddiriedolaeth GIG Gwasanaethau Ambiwlans Cymru. Bu hefyd yn gwasanaethu yn yr Awyrlu Brenhinol yn ystod Rhyfel y Gwlff ym 1991, yn ogystal â gweithrediadau'r CU ym Mosnia ym 1993.

Yn ogystal â pharhau i gyflawni rôl wirfoddol gyda St John Ambulance, mae hefyd yn gwirfoddoli i MEDSERVE Cymru, cangen o'r elusen 'British Association for Immediate Care' (BASICS).

Dywedodd Paul Griffiths OBE KStJ DL, Prior i Gymru a Chadeirydd Ymddiriedolwyr St John Ambulance Cymru:

“Mae gan Richard gyfoeth o brofiad a hanes profedig sy’n cyd-fynd yn ddi-dor â gweledigaeth a gwerthoedd ein helusen.

“Mae ei berfformiad rhagorol drwy gydol y broses gyfweld, ynghyd â’i ddealltwriaeth ddofn o’n sefydliad, yn dangos ei addasrwydd i’n harwain drwy ein heriau presennol a thu hwnt.”

Ychwanegodd Richard, sydd hefyd yn Gadlywydd Urdd St John:

“Rwy’n gyffrous iawn i ymuno a St John Ambulance Cymru fel ei Brif Weithredwr newydd. Edrychaf ymlaen at gwrdd â’r gwirfoddolwyr a’r staff ac at ddysgu mwy am y mudiad ac wynebu ein heriau gyda’n gilydd.

“Er gwaethaf pwysau ariannol, rwy’n credu yn uchelgais yr elusen ar gyfer y dyfodol a’n ffocws ar bobl, cleifion, a chymunedau.”

Bydd Richard yn dechrau ar ei rôl newydd gyda St John Ambulance Cymru yn gynnar ym mis Mai.

Published April 18th 2024

Looking for other ways to get involved?

Whatever you enjoy doing and however much time you can commit, there’s a volunteer role for you.

Donate Volunteer