Our People

Neil Bandtock

Neil has extensive commercial experience in developing children’s FMCG and Retail businesses. Having previously held senior positions with Merlin Entertainment Group, MGA and Vivid Imaginations. He is Managing Director at Epoch Toys Group and a council member at the British Toy and Hobby Association.

Some of the Air Desk Team

Phil Holdcroft

With over 25 Years of senior management experience in both private and public sector organisations, Phil is a Partner and CEO of a Medical Group which includes a number of NHS GP Practices as well as Health and Social care companies and he has extensive knowledge of CQC legislation.

Philip Bridle – Head of Operations

I’ve been with the charity since 2010 working as a paramedic – I enjoy this role because I work alongside experienced paramedics and doctors delivering intensive care treatment in the pre-hospital setting. I’m also the Head of Operations, meaning I have the challenging role of ensuring clinical and operational side of our organisation runs efficiently.

Laura Bingham

Laura Bingham is a British adventurer and model. She has undertaken challenging conservation work in Mexico and sailed across the Atlantic in a 38ft trimaran with a crew of just two men and a cat! In 2016 Laura cycled across South America totally unsupported, with no money and only the equipment she could fit in her panniers. Laura joined the Children’s Air Ambulance’s team of Ambassadors in 2017.

Philippa (Pip) Gibbs – critical care paramedic and airbase manager

I’m one of the charity’s longest serving members of staff, having joined in 2008. As well as being a critical care paramedic, I am also the airbase manager at Coventry which means I have the challenge of managing the day-to-day running of Warwickshire & Northamptonshire Air Ambulance and the Children’s Air Ambulance.

Anita Dobson

Anita is one of the nation’s best loved actresses and a keen supporter of the Children’s Air Ambulance. She is a perfect host for any event and is always keen to support our supporters whenever she can.

Lord Fink of Northwood

Lord “Stanley” Fink became a prominent figure in the city as a successful trader and fund manager. A very keen and major philanthropist who supports many causes close to his heart, one of which is the Children’s Air Ambulance, a cause dear to him because of personal experience.

David Gold

David joined Royal Mail in 2010 and has responsibility for political and stakeholder engagement. He joined from the Brighton College family of independent schools where he was director of marketing and overseas admissions. He has been a parliamentary candidate on two occasions. Away from work, David is deeply involved in voluntary and charitable work. He is a trustee of the British Postal Museum, a member of the Kids Count Advisory Board and a former deputy chair of school governors. David is delighted to have joined the Children’s Air Ambulance as an Ambassador. He and his civil partner Mark have four young godchildren, one of the main reasons he sees the service as so vital and why his role in raising awareness is very important to them both. David is looking forward to meeting many of our existing supporters and helping us to find new ones along the way.

Katie Marshall

Katie Marshall is a 14 year old soprano singer who showed great promise at a young age. She has won multiple awards for her classical singing, including Most Promising Vocalist at the Great Bowden Recital, and Best Overall Vocalist at the final round of the Rotary Young Musicians. She became an ambassador for the Children’s Air Ambulance to help other children by volunteering her time as a singer at charity events.

Brian May

Brian needs no introduction as a worldwide rock legend, but he is also a keen astrophysicist and astronomer with a first class honours degree. He is also a keen supporter of the Children’s Air Ambulance, with his wife Anita, and is a very regular contributor of signed merchandise for raffles and auctions, which raises tens of thousands of pounds for our charity each year.

Anna Pancaldi

Anna is singer-songwriter from the UK and South Africa and an emerging talent who has been compared with Eva Cassidy and Joni Mitchell. After the success of her debut EP ‘Black Tears’ she is currently embarking on her first UK tour.

Lilah Parsons

In January 2016 Lilah joined London’s biggest radio station, Capital FM, where she can be heard every weekday morning on the breakfast show. Following a successful modelling career, Lilah started presenting in 2013, landing her own weekly chart show for MTV and soon found herself interviewing some of the biggest names in pop, including Bruno Mars, Kelly Clarkson and Nicole Scherzinger.

Melanie Walcott

Former model now turned devoted mum to little Finley, Mel has been with the Children’s Air Ambulance since its inception and is a regular supporter of our fundraising efforts. In 2015 she joined staff, volunteers and supporters on a 26 mile coastal trek raising over £12,000.

Adam Woodyatt

Best known for playing Ian Beale on the much-loved BBC1 soap EastEnders, Adam Woodyatt appeared on the very first episode in 1985 and is the longest serving member of the cast. Adam is an ambassador for The Air Ambulance Service, which includes the Children’s Air Ambulance, and his fundraising efforts for the charity include running the London Marathon in 2017.

Paul a. Young

Paul a. Young is a groundbreaking and inspirational chocolatier who is at the forefront of the British chocolate scene. Trained as a chef before moving into the world of chocolate, Paul’s passion for his craft and his cutting edge creativity have won him numerous awards including Best Sea Salted Caramel in the World two years running and led to him being ranked amongst the world’s best chocolatiers. Paul now has four chocolateries in London including a flagship store on Wardour Street in Soho.

Andy Williamson – CEO

I’m passionate about making our service the best it can be. I’ve worked in the non-profit sector for over 30 years, and in 2007 was voted the UK’s Best Charity Boss by The Charity Times for my work turning The Air Ambulance Service into a cutting-edge market leader advancing emergency healthcare.

Emma Peake – Deputy CEO & Director of Trading

I started working with our service over four years ago, and I now head up the retail and trading division. I’d say the highlights of my role are generating more funds year on year and leading a team of truly amazing staff and volunteers.

Richard Clayton – Director of Operations

Having worked for NHS Ambulance Services and pre-hospital medicine for over 20 years, as both a clinician and senior manager, it is an absolute privilege to work for The Air Ambulance Service. It is a pleasure to lead and support such a dedicated team of people.

Hazel Hogben – Director of HR

Kiran Tailor – Director of Finance

Jane Osborne – Director of Income Generation

John Williams – Chair

A qualified accountant, John has held Finance Director positions in both the public and private sectors. His senior finance roles have included working with airlines, tour operators and multi-site leisure operators. John is a Member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants and is also Chair of Castle Donington Volunteer Centre.

Chris Faircliffe – Vice-Chair

After a wide-ranging career in the Civil Service and with national and international brewing companies – including Leicester-based Everards, where he was MD of its Trading Division – Chris spent seven years as chairman of East Midlands Ambulance Service.
He is a current board member of Healthwatch Leicestershire and chairman of his parish council.

Michael Burgoyne MBE

Michael previously lived in Italy, teaching and then working as HM Consul in Naples for 13 years. He has wide management experience, including charity sector and the provision of consular services in Italy and southern Europe. In addition, he has expertise in crisis and emergency response planning, HR management and the organisation of events including trade promotions, VIP and Royal visits.

Royston Jones

Executive VP, European Operations & Global CTO at Altair ProductDesign.

Paul Wilson

An architect and property manager who has worked in both the private and public sectors, Paul has been responsible for the development and management of commercial, industrial, retail, educational and residential properties across the UK. Paul is a member of the Royal Institute of British Architects and a Fellow of the Royal Society for Arts.