Ann Ralli Life President Expand Ann Ralli began the Ceri Thomas appeal in 1986 following the tragic loss of her son when he was knocked from his bicycle. Ann founded Devon Air Ambulance in 1992 and over the past three decades she has played an important role as an Ambassador of the charity. The Life President of Devon Air Ambulance holds a prestigious and symbolic role within the charity. This individual serves as a prominent ambassador and advocate, embodying the charity's values and mission. The Life President's involvement centres around representing the charity at public events, supporting fundraising efforts, and promoting its work to inspire and engage the community. The position is held for life, signifying the President's continued dedication to our mission, vision and values. Read more about Devon Air Ambulance's history
Elly Adams Trustee Expand Telephone: 01392 466666 Email: [email protected] Elly is a Chartered Accountant and Finance Director of Oxygen Conservation, a business tackling the climate crisis and biodiversity collapse by scaling conservation across the UK. Elly brings senior financial leadership experience spanning a wide range of board, investment, strategic and operational challenges. Previously a Director in PwC’s Corporate Finance Team, she spent 20 years based in London working with private equity firms and management teams on buy-out transactions. Elly relocated to Devon and as the Group Finance Director at Oxygen House she led the finance function supporting the Group’s ambition of scaling solutions to climate change. In her spare time Elly enjoys making the most of Devon’s amazing coastline with family and friends and is a fan of good Thai food.
Richard Davidson Trustee Expand Richard has been working in the third sector for more than two decades. Since July 2018 he has been Chief Executive of bone and soft tissue cancer charity, Sarcoma UK but he has also worked in senior positions in both Cancer Research UK and blood cancer charity, Anthony Nolan. As well as being a proud trustee of Devon Air Ambulance, he is chairman of Emilia Clarke’s charity, SameYou, which is dedicated to increasing access to rehabilitation services after brain injury and stroke for young people. He joined the board of DAAT after he moved to Devon with his partner in 2021. Richard enjoys cooking, park running and making the most of the fantastic walks on Dartmoor. He is a northerner but after 25 years away from the north east he has almost lost his accent! Telephone: 01392 466666 Email: [email protected]
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.
Tony Cramp Trustee Expand Tony served for 19 years in the Royal Navy as navigator, diver, Lynx helicopter pilot and instructor. He commanded 815 Naval Air Squadron and a Warship and served as the media spokesman for overseas military operations. He joined Shell Aircraft in 2003 as an Aviation Advisor and has gained global experience working with aircraft operators supporting oil and gas operations, undertaking assurance, air accident investigations and providing specialist advice to Shell’s extensive business stakeholder group. Championing initiatives to enable safe and efficient operations in some of the most diverse and challenging environments, he has worked closely with OEMs on aircraft design specifications, represents the Company on several industry and national regulatory bodies and is the Chair of the energy industry’s IOGP Aviation Sub Committee. Tony was appointed as Shell’s VP Aircraft and Managing Director Shell Aircraft in May 2016. Most at home pursuing a range of outdoor activities across the South West with his wife, family and friends, he’s now also committed to supporting DAAT in achieving its goals and ambitions for the community.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.