Magpas Air Ambulance appoints new Chair of the board of Trustees
July 2, 2021
John Bridge OBE DL, from Cambridgeshire and previously the Chief Executive of the Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce for 17 years, has been appointed Chair of the board of Trustees for Magpas Air Ambulance.
John brings with him a wealth of business knowledge and experience and has been committed to driving the region’s success throughout his 50 year career. His extensive experience includes leading the Road Haulage Association at national level as both National Chairman and for a period as acting Chief Executive, Chairing the Project Board setting up the Greater Cambridge Greater Peterborough Enterprise Partnership (LEP), Chair of Opportunity Peterborough (The Economic Development Company for Peterborough), as a Director of Cambridgeshire Horizons (delivering the growth strategy for Cambridgeshire) as well as being the Chair of their Audit & Risk Management Committee and a past Chair of the Greater Peterborough Partnership (LSP).
His achievements also include being a Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (Chartered FCIPD) – for over 30 years, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (FCILT) – for over 20 years, a Freeman of the City of London and an Honorary Life Member of the Road Haulage Association.
In 1997 his achievements were recognised when he was awarded an OBE and in October 2014, John was appointed as a Deputy Lieutenant to the HM Lord Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire.
John takes over the role from Dr Nigel Brown OBE, who ended his 10 years as Chairman earlier this year. During his time at Magpas Air Ambulance, Nigel led the board of trustees diligently, ensuring the charity had many great achievements including the introduction of our new Air Ambulance helicopter and provided huge support through COVID-19, personally donating funds to purchase our decontamination pod to help keep our team and patients safe through the pandemic. We thank Nigel for this support and countless voluntary hours dedicated to the role.
John has joined the organisation at a crucial time as we look towards the next 50 years of saving lives by starting work on a purpose built air base, headquarters and training centre at Alconbury Weald, an area of the county John knows well. John, who was already the chair of the Magpas Future 50 Appeal which was established to raise the funds to complete our new base build project, will now also lead the Charity’s main board of Trustees.
John explains: “Over many years, I have witnessed the Magpas Air Ambulance flying through our skies to provide lifesaving care to someone whose life hangs in the balance. I’m always mindful that this life could be someone I know or someone I care about very much or I myself might one day need their service. Magpas provides vital care for our community that we have been fortunate to have benefitted from for the past 50 years.
“I am immensely proud to become the Chairman of Magpas Air Ambulance at such an important time for the charity, as well continuing to lead the appeal to build a new bespoke airbase creating the foundation for the organisation’s next 50 years.”
John will be reaching out and speaking with staff, team members, volunteers, supporters, stakeholders over the coming weeks and will join us at upcoming events to meet many of you. I am sure you will join me in welcoming John to Magpas!
John can also be contacted via the email chairman@magpas.org.uk