AACE welcomes Daren Mochrie as new Chair

The Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE) has welcomed the Chief Executive of North West Ambulance Service, Daren Mochrie QAM (left), as its new Chair, following the culmination of two successful terms and almost eight years at the helm for Anthony Marsh QAM, the Chief Executive of West Midlands Ambulance Service.

Martin Flaherty OBE, Managing Director, AACE, said, “The backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic means this is a particularly challenging time for ambulance services so the kind of strong leadership that we have enjoyed over the past eight years will be absolutely key to the ongoing progress of AACE and the wider ambulance sector. This is why we are especially pleased to welcome Daren Mochrie as our new Chair and look forward to working alongside him to support the development of our growing organisation while ensuring the voice of the ambulance sector is clearly heard.

“Our outgoing Chair, Professor Anthony Marsh, has been an inspirational figure in so many ways and has overseen the growth of AACE since July 2012. We are all grateful for the commitment and hard work he has devoted to the role and know that he will continue to play an important part in the future of AACE, providing input and ideas as a highly proactive Chief Executive.”

Commenting on his appointment, Mr Mochrie said, “I am honoured to be the new AACE Chair and will aim to maintain the high standards of exemplary leadership shown by Anthony Marsh during his double term in office. With 32 years of NHS and ambulance sector experience, I believe I’m ideally placed to lead AACE during these unprecedented times. My priorities are to ensure that AACE speaks with one strong voice while building relationships and networks that will increase our prominence within the Health and Social Care system and show how ambulance services can provide genuine solutions to so many system-wide challenges.”

Daren’s role commenced on 1 August 2020, for a three-year term.