North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (NEAS) has appointed 
Kevin joins the organisation from Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne & Wear (CNTW) NHS Foundation Trust, where he has been the executive director of finance since 2022, with a passion for patient care and staff wellbeing.
Kevin, who is a former director of finance and contracting at North East Ambulance Service before moving to CNTW, will replace Helen Ray, who is retiring after 42 years’ service in the NHS.
NEAS chairman Prof Stuart Corbridge said: "I am delighted that Kevin is joining us as our new Chief Executive. His leadership skills, aligned with his expertise in finance and strategy development, will directly shape the future of NEAS, and the wider health and care system, as we work collectively to address the evolving needs of the populations we serve”
“Kevin is ideally placed to lead our service. He brings a passion for integrity, high quality patient care and improved levels of staff wellbeing, all of which correspond well with Trust values. Kevin’s drive and supportive approach will ensure that we are able to continue our development journey and attract and retain exceptional people to work with us.”
Prof Corbridge added: “I would also like to thank the tremendous efforts of Helen Ray, who is retiring in May, for leading us through the pandemic and its aftermath with compassion and courage.
“Helen has also guided the organisation through a challenging period of service improvements in governance and performance response times, her passion and commitment to partnership working benefitting not only NEAS but the wider health and care system in the North East. Helen will be greatly missed and we wish her all the best for her well-deserved retirement when that time comes.”
Kevin said: “I am thrilled to be re-joining North East Ambulance Service as the new chief executive. I am looking forward to working again with its talented teams and building on the strong foundations that have been established by Helen and to explore how we can continue to further improve and develop services for patients.
“I know that the staff at NEAS strive to provide exceptional care each and every day and I am looking forward to getting started to build on the service’s reputation as a high performing Trust with a focus on research, innovation and delivering excellent care for the local population.”
Kevin, who lives in Sedgefield, has previously worked for South Tees and North Tees Hospitals as well as North of England Commissioning Support Service.
His appointment was approved by the Council of Governors at NEAS today (17 March) following a competitive recruitment process.