Welcome from Salman Desai, Chief Executive

Dear Candidate

Thank you for your interest in this fantastic opportunity to join the team at North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust as our Director of Strategy and Partnerships. This is a pivotal role in shaping the future of our organisation and ensuring that we deliver outstanding care to our patients and communities.

I hope that you will enjoy finding out more about this opportunity to play a critical leadership role to enable us to fulfil our vision:

To deliver the right care, at the right time, in the right place.

I’ve been part of North West Ambulance Service since 2007 and was honoured to take on the role of CEO in January 2025. At NWAS, we are here 24/7, 365 days a year, providing lifesaving care and support to those who need it most. As the geographically largest ambulance service in the UK, we are a team of over 8,000 staff and volunteers, proudly serving a diverse population of more than 7.5 million people across the North West. Each year, we handle around 1.7 million 999 calls, respond to over 1 million emergencies, and complete more than 1.4 million patient transport journeys—all while delivering the regional NHS 111 service. We’re incredibly proud of our Good ratings from both the CQC and Ofsted, which reflect the dedication and passion of our entire team.

As Director of Strategy and Partnerships, you will have a key role in shaping our future. Working closely with colleagues and partners, you will help translate our vision into a clear strategic framework, ensuring our priorities make a meaningful difference for patients, staff, and communities. You will guide transformational change, build strong partnerships, and support business planning across NWAS. Your leadership will also play an important part in strengthening our brand, reputation, and engagement, helping NWAS remain agile and forward-thinking in an evolving healthcare landscape.

As a non-voting member of our Board of Directors, you will help shape our long-term direction, working collaboratively to navigate challenges and seize opportunities. More than anything, we are looking for a leader who embodies our values—someone who can bring people together, inspire quality, and support teams to deliver their best. Compassion and resilience are essential, as this role involves leading through some of the most critical and high-pressure moments.

I hope you are inspired by our vision and values, and that you want to find out more about this opportunity. I would encourage you to contact our recruitment partners at GatenbySanderson to discuss your interest further.

I look forward to meeting you during the process.

Salman Desai
Chief Executive