Well known honey beekeeper is buzzing over top ambulance role

Derek Cartwright will take up the role following a long career in the ambulance service.

The 54-year-old has held the role of Interim Chief Executive since the departure of former chief Bob Williams in March but may be better known locally as the founder of Horwich Honey.

He said: "I am very proud to be given this opportunity to take the Trust forward and am looking forward to working together with staff and partners in the region to make sure we provide quality, compassionate care for our patients."

Mr Cartwright, who lives in Bolton with his wife Joanne and has four grown-up children and a grandson, joined Greater Manchester Ambulance Service (GMAS) as a member of its patient transport service in 1986.

He progressed to the emergency service in 1988 where he became a paramedic and then a manager, continuing his career in Greater Manchester and in 2003 was appointed to the post of Operations Director and operated as a member of the GMAS Board.

On establishment of the North West Ambulance Service in 2006, he was appointed to the post of Area Director for the Cumbria and Lancashire area and was subsequently promoted to Director of Emergency Services in 2009.

In November 2012, he was appointed to the role of Director of Operations and received the Queen's Ambulance Medal, which is awarded to those who show exceptional devotion to duty, outstanding ability, merit and conduct in their roles within NHS Ambulance Services, in the New Year's Honours list on 2014.

Trust Chair Wyn Dignan said: "Derek has many years of experience with the Trust and is a very highly respected member of the NWAS team. I have no doubt that with his passion and drive for the Service our staff and patients will all benefit from his leadership.

"With this appointment, we are now in a position to move forward and look to the future – we want to ensure that the North West Ambulance Service can continue to be a Service that the people of the North West are proud of."