EMAS welcomes three new Board members

East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) is pleased to announce the appointment of three new Non-Executive directors to serve on the Trust's Board.

Jon Towler, EMAS Trust Chairman said: "I am delighted with these appointments to the EMAS Trust Board. Non Executive directors offer an independent viewpoint on how the service operates. I'm sure the experience and knowledge that Pauline, Stuart and Gill have will really benefit our Trust and the public of the East Midlands."

Pauline Tagg lives in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire. She has worked in the acute sector of the NHS for over 35 years as a nurse, midwife and senior manager. During this time she held executive nurse director posts in three NHS hospital trusts, the most recent being the University Hospitals of Leicester.

In January 2009, Pauline was awarded an MBE for her contribution to healthcare. In her spare time Pauline is a volunteer with Cancer Research UK in Melton Mowbray. She enjoys coastal walking in Yorkshire and in southern Spain.

Stuart Dawkins lives in Leicester and has wide experience of non-executive and advisory roles, mainly supporting the local community and education. He also has significant business experience, including membership of the Executive Committee of a FTSE100 company.

Stuart served on the board of Leicestershire County & Rutland Community Health Services and is a director of Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce. He has held numerous roles in the voluntary sector, including membership of the East Midlands Advisory Board of Business in the Community. He is also a Governor of Wyggeston & Queen Elizabeth I sixth form college.

Stuart's main hobbies are racing his various bicycles, watching Leicester City, writing and playing the guitar.

Gill Newton lives in North Northamptonshire and was formerly Chief Executive of a government agency and trading fund - the Fire Service College. In addition to improving the financial position and governance of the College, she played a key role in developing multi-agency training in support of national
resilience post 9/11.

Prior to that Gill held two other national posts: Head of Education and Workforce Planning in the Department of Health, and Head of Training and Development for HM Prison Service. Earlier in her career she trained as a nurse, becoming a ward sister at The Royal London Hospital. She then moved into education of healthcare staff in the NHS and in the university sector.

Gill is an independent member of Northamptonshire Police Authority and a trustee of Age UK Northamptonshire. She also coaches senior public service managers, focusing on development of leadership skills and on organisational change. Gill was awarded a CBE in 2009.

All Non-Executive appointments are made on merit, and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees' political activity (if any declared) to be made public. None of the appointees has declared involvement in any other political activity.

All three Non-Executive posts with EMAS carry a remuneration of £6,096 per annum. Their term of office runs from 10 October 2011 to 9 October 2015.

All three appointments have been made in accordance with the OCPA Code of Practice.