Ollie Dismore Trading Company Non-Executive Director Expand Following a naval flying and ship-driving career spanning 36 years, I was involved at all levels of police aviation from 1997 to 2021, culminating in being the Accountable Manager delivering the National Police Air Service from 21 bases across England and Wales. Since retiring from that role, I have been helicopter Chief Pilot and drone Accountable Manager for Heli Ops at Portland and am delighted to join Devon Air Ambulance Trading Company Board as a non-Executive Director. My interest in aviation safety and the health of the industry extends beyond day-to-day operations as a Council Member of the British Helicopter Association, Chair of its Emergency Service Committee and a Royal Aeronautical Society Fellow. No stranger to Devon, having lived in Plymouth for several years, I currently live over the border in Newquay with wife Jo and Tog the dog.
Julie Hawker Vice Chair & Trustee Expand Julie is Chief Executive of Cosmic, a digital skills agency based in Honiton and has a very personal connection to the Charity – she was airlifted by DAA following a serious riding accident and has spent 6 years supporting the charity through fundraising, volunteering and offering staff training. She is an enthusiast for the ways in which digital technologies will improve businesses, organisations and lives in the coming years, and regularly speaks on these subjects at local, regional and national events. Julie contributes to the development and delivery of major consultancy projects at Cosmic, and is learning director and trainer on Cosmic's digital leadership programme. Julie works in a variety of roles at national, regional and local levels to improve the collaboration in advancing digital skills, digital transformation for businesses, and also the economic environment for social enterprise, keeping a sharp focus on digital inclusion and its benefits to the wider economy. Julie is also Board member with the SW Business Council and a member of the Bank of England Panel in the region. We are fortunate that Julie has brought her expertise and experience to the Devon Air Ambulance Board of Trustees.
Ross Hemingway Trustee Expand Dr Ross Hemingway worked in as a naval medical officer in the Royal Marines for 17 years, with extensive experience of front-line PHEM and helicopters. In the later stages of his naval career, he was a senior medical officer/clinical director for counter-terrorism, and now works as a medical practitioner at the Commando training centre. Ross has an interest in sports medicine, and has a particular love of rugby, having worked with the England, Premiership and Exeter Chief squads.
Ann Holman Trustee Expand Ann is CEO of Engaged Communities, a digital platform that enables community and collective action. Before that she worked for several years as a management consultant with PwC and Accenture. Her expertise lies in strategy, digital and innovation. In her spare time Ann can be found cycling, up a mountain or walking the coastal path. Ann has watched closely the progression of DAAT since moving to the South West in 2003. She is both honoured and proud to be part of DAAT and is looking forward to working with the team in the future.
Louise Lucas Non-Executive Director Expand Telephone: 01392 466666 Email: [email protected] I have always had an interest in aviation and safety, starting out as cabin crew flying for a charter airline from London Gatwick in 1999 before moving to Heathrow and Virgin Atlantic in 2004. Here I held a range of ground safety-based roles from Aircraft Dispatcher to Procedural Author, Ground Safety Investigator and Operational Manager. I was responsible for undertaking regulatory compliance audits and ground safety investigations. I completed the Aviation Safety & Security Programme at the University of Southern California (USC) where I specialised in Air Accident Investigation, Aviation Safety Management Systems, Aviation Security Programme Management, and Human Factors in Aviation Safety. I transferred my skills to Rail in 2016 and as Safety & Assurance Lead for a train operator, I was able to continue my passion of promoting safety through engagement, education and positive encouragement. My current role sees me delivering security compliance, business continuity and emergency planning for the railway. I love to travel, both overseas and within the UK. I enjoy spending time with family, visiting the cinema and walking. After returning home to Devon I am proud to be able to utilise my knowledge and experience to support the Devon Air Ambulance Trading Company in continuing to deliver its vision and mission for the people of Devon and the surrounding areas.
Darrell Mann Trustee Expand Telephone: 01392 466666 Email: [email protected] Following a fifteen-year career designing helicopter engines at Rolls-Royce, Darrell has spent the last twenty-five years running a change and innovation consulting business. During that time, he has helped clients find £5B worth of new business and written a dozen best-selling and not-quite-best-selling books on innovation, strategy and the psychology of change. A North Devon resident since 2014, Darrell enjoys running, music and finding inventive ways to avoid doing his share of work in the garden.
Willliam Matthewman Chair of Trustees & Treasurer Expand William has been working in the Wealth Management profession for several years following a degree in Economics from Exeter University. Given his fondness for outdoor pursuits on Dartmoor, he has always been in awe of the work undertaken by Devon Air Ambulance, and the other emergency services, particularly to fellow hikers, fell runners and climbers. William took up the role of Chair of Trustees in July 2023.
Dave Nicholson Trustee Expand Telephone: 01392 466666 Email: [email protected] Dave Nicholson served as a Royal Marines Commando Officer for 25 years with extensive experience of front line operations. In the later stages of his career he commanded the Commando Logistic Regiment, based out of Chivenor in North Devon. The Unit consisted of several smaller specialist capabilities, notably a deployable field surgical hospital. This experience, along with a desire to reconnect with community service, inspired him to get involved with the Devon Air Ambulance and to serve as a trustee. Dave is now the Chief Operations Officer for Klarian Ltd, a tech scale-up business based in Exeter Science Park.
Jill Nye Trading Company Non-Executive Director Expand Telephone: 01392 466666 Email: [email protected] Jill holds 30+ years working within travel & tourism for TUI Group, where she has a passion for leadership development, improving customer experience and commercial performance. She has held a range of senior roles with TUI and is currently within the aviation division as Director of Customer, Cabin Crew, and Inflight services. She gained vast experience working in a pan-European environment, holding accountability for cultural and transformational change, operational delivery, incorporating regulatory compliance. Jill loves to travel, exploring new cultures as well as living in Devon with her husband, walking the Jurassic coastline.