Margaret Davies has been the charity's Chair of Trustees since September 2017. In that time she has brought her significant experience to the Board in support of the charity. 

Margaret Davies is a registered Occupational Psychologist with particular expertise in the area of leadership and gender. She previously worked as a senior marketing manager for a number of large companies and is the co-founder of The Glass Lift, an organisation working to change the face of leadership by championing equality, diversity and inclusion.

As well as being the Chair of the Board, Margaret sits on the Charity's People and Culture Committee. Margaret shares her experience of being a Trustee this Trustees Week. 

Can you tell us a little about your role as a trustee?

The Charity Commission lays out the role of a Trustee's Legal duties as follows:

1) To act in your charity's best interests e.g. deal with conflicts of interest

2) To manage your charity's resources responsibly e.g. manage risks

3) To act with reasonable care and skill e.g take advice when appropriate 

Living in rural Mid Devon I understand how essential the Devon Air Ambulance service is. Being part of such a worthwhile charity I feel like I'm making a contribution on behalf of everyone who is a long way from the nearest hospital. 

I love the various aspects of the charity: helicopters, doctors, paramedics, shops, events all rolled into one interesting and inspiring organisation.

The people who work at Devon Air Ambulance are lovely, really friendly and welcoming; it's a great team.

Is being Chair different to being a Trustee?

Yes! More work, more responsibility, more challenge, but more reward. I'm still learning... and loving it.

What would you say to anyone who is thinking about becoming a trustee?

Talk to us. We'll take time to tell you more about what's involved. Trustees need to be able to spend on average at least one to two days each month on Devon Air Ambulance work, which includes attending Board and Committee meetings (8 per year), which take place during the day.

We're looking for people who bring a range of skills, knowledge and diversity to the Board. Like all jobs, even though the Trustee role is voluntary, we have a role specification and a process for nominating new Trustees, so potential new Trustees would need to be prepared to go through this process. 

Our Trustees bring enormously valuable skills and experience to the Charity. Meet the other members of our Board.