Devon Air Ambulance Trust

Date of release: 18/04/2007

Air Ambulance Chief Moves On
Lyn Paver, the Chief Executive of the Devon Air Ambulance Trust (DAAT) during the charity’s most successful period, is stepping down to take over a similar post with the Thames Valley Air Ambulance.

Paver, who joined DAAT in 1998 before becoming Chief Executive in 2001, led some of the charity’s most significant initiatives including acquiring an EC135 - the new generation of emergency helicopter, introducing a second aircraft for North Devon and extending the flying hours to seven days a week as well as establishing new air ambulance bases at Middlemoor in Exeter and Eaglescott near Torrington.

Lyn Paver said: “I’ve been fortunate in that my time at DAAT has coincided with some major initiatives. Firstly, we rationalised some aspects of revenue generation including eliminating commission based fund-raising and we took the DAAT Lottery in-house saving thousands of pounds each year.

“We celebrated the Trust’s 10th anniversary in 2002 in style with a nationwide helipad challenge but, apart from achieving sufficient income to be the first single county air ambulance service to fly two helicopters, I probably got the most personal satisfaction in DAAT when we acquired the first baby incubator to be especially designed for the EC135 emergency helicopter.

“DAAT is now in its 15th year and I feel I’m leaving it in good shape. I’m going to Thames Valley where there are very similar challenges to face as those that prevailed when I took up my current position. I hope that when I start my new job, I’ll have the same superb level of support that I have enjoyed with my work colleagues, the charity’s volunteers and the Board of Trustees who have done so much to ensure DAAT is so successful.

“Most of all, I’d like to thank the people of Devon who identify so much with their air ambulance service and whose unstinting generosity keeps the two helicopters flying.”

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“Ian Styles, DAAT’s Chairman of Trustees said: “Lyn will be sadly missed. Under her stewardship, DAAT has set the standards that other air ambulance charities aspire to. We shall miss her expertise but the fact that her services are in demand elsewhere is a testimony to the way our charity operates and the innovative processes that we have installed. We wish her well.”

Colin Lee, Chairman of Thames Valley Air Ambulance Trust added: “The Devon Air Ambulance Trust is regarded as a model operation in the sector both in terms of fund-raising and operationally, particularly in its ability to innovate and continually move forward.

“Thames valley is equally ambition to be the best so it was natural for us to want to employ the best.”

Lyn Paver leaves DAAT in July with the day to day operation of the charity reverting to a Senior Management Team while the Board of Trustees decides upon a successor.
Contact details: Neil Devons: 01392 687477