Yorkshire Air Ambulance appoints new CEO

Yorkshire Air Ambulance Charity (YAA) has announced the appointment of Kathryn Marsden OBE as its new Chief Executive Officer, with effect from 9 March 2026.

Marsden brings more than 36 years’ experience across social care and health organisations in the UK. She will join YAA from the Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE), where she is currently Chief Executive. She was also recognised in the King’s New Year Honours List 2025, receiving an OBE for services to social care.

Mike Harrop, Chair of Trustees at Yorkshire Air Ambulance, said the charity was “absolutely delighted” to welcome Marsden into the role. He said her experience in the care sector and commitment to the charity’s mission would be invaluable as YAA continues to develop and deliver life-saving critical care to patients across Yorkshire. Harrop added that trustees were confident she would provide the strong, compassionate leadership and strategic direction required to support the charity’s continued progress.

In her new role, Marsden will be responsible for leading the charity’s strategic direction, operational performance and long-term financial sustainability, while maintaining the highest standards of patient care, clinical development, safety and governance.

Commenting on her appointment, Marsden said she was honoured to be joining a “well loved and respected charity”. She said Yorkshire Air Ambulance’s dedication to saving lives and supporting communities was inspiring, and that she was looking forward to working with the charity’s crews, staff, volunteers and supporters as she leads the organisation into its next chapter.

The appointment comes at a milestone moment for Yorkshire Air Ambulance, which has recently celebrated its 25th anniversary and is now delivering a new long-term strategy focused on investing in clinical capability and development through to 2035 and beyond.

Yorkshire Air Ambulance is an independent charity providing year-round, rapid-response emergency critical care across the region. The organisation is currently building a new northern airbase at Skipton Bridge near Thirsk, which is expected to become operational in late summer 2026 and will complement its existing base at Nostell near Wakefield.

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