New Chief Executive appointed to lead UK’s busiest ambulance service

London Ambulance Service is pleased to announce that Jason Killens KAM has been appointed as the Trust’s new Chief Executive.

Jason, who will take up his post in the summer, has nearly 30 years’ experience in the ambulance sector. He is currently Chief Executive of Welsh Ambulance Services University NHS Trust, where he has served for seven years.

His appointment marks a return to London and the ambulance service where he began his career as an emergency medical technician. Over several years he worked operationally in North East, Central and South East London before taking on a number of leadership roles, including Executive Director of Operations. His time in leadership during his first tenure at London Ambulance included overseeing the 2012 Olympics and responding to the devastating 7/7 London bombing.

He was appointed the Chief Executive of the South Australia Ambulance Service in 2015 before joining the Welsh Ambulance Service as Chief Executive in 2018. Jason is the current chair of the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE).

He is an Honorary Professor at Swansea University’s College of Human and Health Sciences and was awarded the King’s Ambulance Service Medal (KAM) in the 2023 Birthday Honours List.

LAS Trust Chair Andy Trotter OBE QPM, said:

“I am delighted to announce Jason’s appointment as Chief Executive following a rigorous interview process.

“Jason has dedicated his career to the ambulance sector and brings a wealth of valuable experience from an impressive 30-year career. He joins us at a time of great change for the NHS, which LAS will play a vital role in delivering.

“His passion for providing high-quality, safe care and leading a workforce of highly skilled people will be a huge benefit to our patients and to London.”

Jason Killens KAM said:

“It’s a great honour to return to the place where my career began and lead an organisation full of great people all focused on delivering great care for more than nine million people.

“Against a backdrop of an ageing population and growing pressure on the urgent and emergency care sector, I want to continue driving forward improvements that ensure our service is the best it can be for our staff and volunteers and for our patients in the years ahead.”

Jason succeeds outgoing Chief Executive Daniel Elkeles who leaves later this month to take up a post as CEO of NHS Providers, a membership organisation for hospitals, mental health, community and ambulance services that treat patients in the NHS.