TRUSTEE
RECRUITMENT
PACK
cornwallairambulancetrust.org
Registered Company No: 7085879 | Registered Charity No: 1133295
CONTENTS
03
03
04
06
07
08
10
Introduction from the Trustees
Our mission, vision & values
About Cornwall Air Ambulance
History
The future
Other key stakeholders
Governance
Trustees and Philanthropy Forum
Role Description and
Person Specification
Additional information
and how to apply
3
INTRODUCTION
FROM THE
CHAIRMAN
Thank you for expressing an interest in becoming a Trustee of Cornwall Air Ambulance.
We are extremely proud of ‘our’ charity, having grown from small beginnings to now
operating 19 hours a day, 365 days per year and delivering over 1,000 critical care
missions across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. But these aren’t just missions, they are
people, loved ones who are in desperate need of help.
We do not stand still, and are always thinking ahead. We are prepared to take
calculated risks, to nurture aspiration, to encourage growth and to develop talent.
Cornwall Air Ambulance holds a special place in the hearts of the people of Cornwall and
beyond. As a Board we have a clear, shared understanding of the difference between
executive and non-executive roles. Our CEO, Tim, has the benefit of many years of senior
leadership and now leads an executive team to whom the Trustees delegate day to day
running of the organisation.
We have a tried and tested committee structure, an established budget and planning
process, a team of highly skilled staff and a whole network of committed and enthusiastic
volunteers (our ‘Groundcrew’) and strategic partners.
We are also ambitious. In 2020, a state of the art AW169 helicopter went into service. In
2025, a second AW169 Air Ambulance will arrive in Cornwall. Both aircraft will be fully
owned by Cornwall Air Ambulance, following hugely successful fundraising campaigns
that reflect the widespread support and affection for the charity in both Cornwall and
further afield. This, alongside the evolution of our clinical model will mean we will be able
to deliver more advanced care, undertaking more missions and ultimately saving more
lives – making Cornwall Air Ambulance not only the first, but striving to be the best.
Wishing you the best of luck in your application.
David Richards CBE, Chairman
OUR MISSION,
VISION AND VALUES
We are:
KINDNESS
Showing compassion, empathy, and consideration towards others,
fostering a positive and supportive environment.
RESPECT
Recognising the worth and value of others, embracing diversity and
treating everyone with dignity.
Our Mission
Our Vision
Critical care by air; improving survival
across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly
The best quality emergency care, meeting
the pre-hospital needs of every critical
patient in Cornwall
INTEGRITY
Standing true to moral principles, being honest and acting with
consistency and transparency.
PROGRESSIVE
Embracing innovation, challenging the status quo, and
continuously evolving for a better future.
TEAMWORK
Working together towards a common goal, combining
individual strengths for collective success.
CAAT TRUSTEE RECRUITMENT PACK PAGE
4
ABOUT CORNWALL
AIR AMBULANCE
History
The Cornish people are justifiably proud of their air
ambulance, and especially of the fact that it was the first
of its kind in the UK. The successful model pioneered in
Cornwall has been copied across the country, where there
are now more than 40 air ambulance helicopters, the
majority funded by charitable donations.
In April 1987, the air ambulance was introduced as an
integral part of Cornwall’s ambulance service. The initial
funding provided by the local health authority was
withdrawn in October of that year, and shortly afterwards
the charity, then known as the First Air Ambulance Service
Trust, was formed.
Following considerable publicity, the service was then
financed by public fundraising and donations.
This remains the case to this day, with fantastic support
given by the people of Cornwall and local business. Our
different income streams include a successful weekly lottery,
retail, legacies, corporate support, events, regular giving,
collection boxes, community fundraising and trading activity.
Our charity is now known as the Cornwall Air Ambulance
Trust, and is a VAT-registered company limited by guarantee.
There is a wholly owned trading subsidiary company
(CAAT Trading Ltd).
Our Head Office is based at Trevithick Downs, Newquay,
Cornwall TR8 4DY. The building is purpose designed and
constructed with grants from ERDF and LIBOR, and some
funds from charity reserves. Our fundraising activities and
the helicopter operations are co-located on this Freehold
site adjacent to Cornwall Newquay Airport.
Our Charity Patron is HM The Queen, the former Duchess
of Cornwall. Our President is Colonel Sir Edward Bolitho
OBE, Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall.
The former unincorporated charity is almost dormant, saved
for receiving some legacy gifts. Cornwall Air Ambulance
Trust is overseen by a group of professional business
trustees, normally nine in total, bringing a range of skills
and expertise from both the public and private sector in the
county.
CAAT TRUSTEE RECRUITMENT PACK PAGE 5
The Future
Due to the demands on our service and the increased level of sophistication with the
medical interventions the team are able to perform, we now operate 19 hours a day,
365 days a year covered by two daily crew shifts (7am - 5pm and 4pm - 2am).
The first AW169 aircraft (registration G-CRWL) that arrived in 2020 revolutionised
our service due to the advance technological capabilities and range. A second AW169
will increase the number of missions Cornwall Air Ambulance can fly by increasing the
amount of time the helicopter is online and available to respond to emergencies. But
it is not just in aviation where we are ambitious. In aiming to meet the clinical needs
of the people of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, we commissioned a review which
recommends doctors are integrated alongside our Critical Care Paramedics on board
the aircraft.
Supporting our operational needs are teams of dedicated professionals, in operations,
fundraising, retail, marketing and business support services - to ensure every penny and
pound raised is used to further our charitable objects.
Other Key Stakeholders
The Cornwall Air Ambulance is part
of a fully integrated response to
emergencies in Cornwall, facilitated
through the South Western Ambulance
Service NHS Foundation Trust
(SWASfT). The helicopter in Cornwall
is deployed on emergency missions
from their Emergency Clinical Hub in
Exeter, and the charity meets quarterly
with SWASfT and other air ambulance
operations in the South West region.
The charity receives daily, monthly,
quarterly and annual reporting, which
provides the controls to ensure proper
operational use of the aircraft.
CAAT TRUSTEE RECRUITMENT PACK PAGE 6
GOVERNANCE
Overall responsibility for the charity lies with the Board of Trustees
who delegate the day-to-day running to the CEO, Tim Bunting,
and his senior leadership team comprising of departmental leads
in Operations, Finance, Income Generation & Marketing and HR.
Trustees serve a term of office consisting of three years and can be
re-elected for a further two terms and thereafter annually.
There are normally nine trustees plus the chair and their constitution
allows them to increase this number if required, e.g. to provide a
handover prior to a planned retirement.
The Board works to a schedule of quarterly meetings, normally held
at the HQ. The Board is supported by four sub-committees, covering
Finance, Risk & Audit, Operations and HR and Remunerations, each
chaired by a nominated trustee. Outside of committees, trustees
take an active role in supporting the charity, attending conferences,
presentations, volunteer events and fundraising activities.
CAAT TRUSTEE RECRUITMENT PACK PAGE
7
BOARD OF
TRUSTEES
PHILANTHROPY
FORUM
Robert Cowie,
Since 2015
Dougal Scott,
Since 2019
Daisy Griffith,
Since 2019
Jonathan McCulloch,
Forum Member & Ambassador
Dr Karen J Dickens,
Forum Member & Ambassador
Barbara Sharples MBE,
Vice President & Forum Chair
Ben Mark,
Since 2018
Laura McKay,
Since 2021
Paul Reed,
Since 2023
Jackie Stanley D.L.,
Forum Member & Ambassador
Lisa Day,
Forum Member
Karen Hurn,
Head of Fundraising & Philanthropy
David Harland,
Since 2024
David Richards CBE,
Chairman, since 2024
CEO
Tim Bunting,
Since 2021
It’s only working together,
that we can provide advanced
care, fly more missions and
save even more lives.
CAAT TRUSTEE RECRUITMENT PACK PAGE 8
TRUSTEE
ROLE
Cornwall Air Ambulance Trust has a rolling succession plan for Directors (Trustees) of
the Charity. This is to ensure the Charity is led by a diverse Board, and that the terms
of office fall within the scope of the Company Articles, whilst at the same time, flex to
allow some Trustees to serve shorter periods of office.
We also try to plan ahead to replace skillsets we expect to lose from the Board in due
course, and to introduce new critical and strategic thinking and knowledge bases to
help us develop future activities.
New Trustees
We are looking for new Trustees with ideally, but not limited to, the following specific
skill sets and knowledge:
1) Operations background, ideally with a familiarity with Clinicial, Aviation
or Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS)
2) Income generation, specifically with a fundraising focus
3) Legal or HR background
Our Trustees
Charity Trustees are the people who serve on the governing body of a charity. They are
equally responsible in law for the Board’s actions and decisions and have equal status as
Trustees. Cornwall Air Ambulance Trustees have and must accept ultimate responsibility
for the charity’s affairs. They use their personal skills and experience to ensure that
Cornwall Air Ambulance is solvent, well run and efficient and delivering its charitable
outcomes. The Trustee role can be very rewarding and enjoyable, offering an opportunity
to serve the community whilst learning new skills. The Trustees role is to focus on the
strategic direction of the organisation and to ensure effectiveness and accountability.
Day-to-day operational decisions are delegated to the Chief Executive and, through him,
the remainder of the charity staff.
All this sounds rather formal but in practice, our Board is a fascinating and fun place to sit. We
experience all the challenges facing charities in fundraising, and we are constantly balancing
risk and opportunity to achieve the best we can for our beneficiaries. The patient is at the
heart of every strategic decision made, every operational plan delivered, and each tactical
move which is necessary.
The Board is very proud of the Cornish heritage of the Charity, and the quality and pride
built from its Brand. Being a part of the continued journey for this lifesaving charity is
something every single Trustee has highlighted both during and after their terms of service.
CAAT TRUSTEE RECRUITMENT PACK PAGE 9
TRUSTEE
SPECIFICATION
We are looking for a Trustee with the following attributes:
Essential
Desirable
•
•
No conflicts of interest, or legal reasons why they may
not act as Company Director
Knowledge and understanding of Charity Governance
and the duties and responsibilities of Charity Board
Directors
•
A commitment to Nolan’s 7 principles of public life
•
•
A passion for organisations committed to their values
and with healthy cultures
The time to commit to the role, including daytime
Board meetings
•
Leadership and people management skills
•
Communication and interpersonal skills, discretion
and diplomacy
•
Creative and strategic thinking abilities
•
Previous experience on a non profit Board
•
Previous experience of carrying out Director level
Appraisal
• Experience of leading or managing change
•
An understanding of charity law and best practice
• Confident and able to express their views
•
Ability to expand our networks to support further
fundraising aims.
Useful
•
Crisis management and conflict resolution skills
•
Ability to interpret complex financial information
•
An understanding of aviation or clinical related
industry
CAAT TRUSTEE RECRUITMENT PACK PAGE 10
ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION
Time Commitment
• Approximately four board meetings (approx. three hours duration) per year, normally held in the
Cornwall Air Ambulance offices in Newquay
• Sub-committee meetings – four a year or when requested
• A board strategic away day per year
• Reading time for papers
• Contribution to charity events and activities
Cornwall Air Ambulance recognises the positive value of diversity, promotes equality and challenges
discrimination. We welcome and encourage Trustee applications from people of all backgrounds.
HOW TO APPLY
Please forward your CV and covering letter FAO David Richards, with the reference ‘CAAT Trustee’ in the
title of your email to: jackie.davis@cornwallairambulancetrust.org
For more information or to discuss the opportunity to become a Trustee for Cornwall Air Ambulance Trust,
please call Jackie on 01637 838959
CAAT TRUSTEE RECRUITMENT PACK PAGE Your charity, saving lives
Cornwall Air Ambulance Trust,
Trevithick Downs, Newquay, Cornwall TR8 4DY
Registered Charity 1133295
01637 889926
enquiries@cornwallairambulancetrust.org
@cornwallairamb
cornwallairambulancetrust.org