CEO of UK air ambulance shortlisted for award

Welch is one of seven finalists in this category for the prestigious awards, which recognized KSS as winner of its Charity of the Year Award 2020, with an income of more than £10 million.

Since joining the life-saving charity in 2019, Welch has led a team of 135 staff including doctors, paramedics, dispatchers, pilots, fundraisers, marketers and support staff, and 170 volunteers. A clear priority for Welch was to ensure the wellbeing of Team KSS. He has championed new wellbeing initiatives and has introduced a Freedom to Speak Up Guardian, creating a just culture within KSS.

Achieving Outstanding rating in safety

Welch has led the team to overturn a predicted £2.9 million deficit throughout 2020-2021, delivering the charity’s most successful year in its 32-year history, despite operating during the pandemic. In addition, KSS became the first Helicopter Emergency Medical Service to achieve an Outstanding rating from the Care Quality Commission in all five key lines of enquiry: safe, effective, caring, responsive, and well-led.

Welch said: “It is a great privilege to lead such a committed and dedicated team and I’m delighted to have been shortlisted for this prestigious award. Being recognized in this way is a real validation of the enthusiasm and hard work of the whole of Team KSS.”

Dr Helen Bowcock, Chair of KSS Board, added: “His compassionate style of leadership has motivated our people to keep striving for continuous improvement to provide the best possible treatment and care for our patients. He thoroughly deserves the recognition gained through being shortlisted for this prestigious award.”