These are the words of the man who is set to take over as Chairman of West Midlands Ambulance Service as the Trust moves into a new decade.

Professor Ian Cumming will take up his new position on 1st April 2020 when he retires from his current role of Chief Executive of Health Education England – the education and training organisation for the NHS.

His career in the health service spans 38 years; originally training as a research scientist, before spending 25 years as an NHS Chief Executive.  He has worked in hospitals, commissioning services and as Chief Executive of the NHS in the West Midlands. Professor Cumming said:

“I have had a personal interest in pre-hospital care for many years.  The ambulance service meets people at a time when they are arguably at their most vulnerable.

“West Midlands Ambulance Service already has a real focus on keeping the Trust at forefront of developing patient care and I am looking forward to helping them continue that journey.

“There is no doubt that the next decade will be one of real change for the ambulance service and the NHS with the growth of technology and integration. It is an exciting time and I can’t wait to join."