Heather Arrowsmith is the CEO of North West Air Ambulance Charity, leading the organisation in delivering critical and lifesaving care to patients across North West England.
With a strong focus on strategic planning and operational excellence, Heather ensures the charity’s resources are effectively utilised to achieve its ambitions.
With a proven track record for delivering excellence in the medical, healthcare and not-for-profit sectors, Heather collaborates closely with the Leadership Team, the Board of Trustees, and external stakeholders to maximise opportunities to make significant strides in research, financial performance, and service provision.
Tony Rowan is the Director of Finance and Resources at North West Air Ambulance Charity. As part of the Leadership Team, Tony oversees the charity’s financial and resource operations to ensure sustainability and efficiency.
With his extensive experience, Tony plays a crucial role in supporting the charity’s mission to provide ongoing lifesaving services, ensuring that we maximise opportunities to develop and continuously improve.
He collaborates closely with the Leadership Team, Board of Trustees, and external stakeholders to achieve strategic objectives while fostering a culture of excellence, innovation, and collaboration.
Andy Curran, Medical Director for the North West Air Ambulance Charity, works collaboratively with the charity’s clinicians and partners to ensure patients receive the highest standards of care when they need it most.
With a career spanning hospitals and pre hospital services across the North West, Andy brings extensive experience in major trauma and emergency care to the charity’s clinical leadership. Alongside his role with NWAA, Andy serves as Assistant Medical Director for the Lancashire & South Cumbria Integrated Care Board, helping shape clinical strategy and improve care for communities across the region.
Throughout his career, Andy has held several senior roles in urgent and emergency care and continues to practice as a Consultant in Emergency Medicine at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
Dave Briggs, Operations Director at North West Air Ambulance Charity, directs aviation, clinical, marketing, PR, community and events fundraising, and retail resources. As a Leadership Team member, Dave ensures excellent service for critically injured and ill patients.
With 20-plus years in aviation, emergency services, medical, and retail sectors, he excels in crisis management, business planning, and operations.
Passionate about lifesaving care, Dave collaborates with the Leadership Team, Board of Trustees, and external stakeholders to achieve strategic objectives and to support and drive pioneering research enabling optimum patient impact.
The Marketing, PR and Social team is responsible for promoting the charity’s work and raising awareness of the lifesaving services. They manage the organisation’s brand, media relations, digital content, and social media channels to share impactful stories and updates with the public. The team supports all teams by creating campaigns that inspire people to donate, volunteer, fundraise, and engage with the charity. Their work helps ensure the organisation remains visible, trusted, and supported by the communities it serves.
The Community Fundraising and Events team works closely with supporters who want to raise money through local initiatives, challenges, and organised events. They provide guidance, resources, and encouragement to individuals, schools, community groups, and businesses running their own fundraising activities. The team also plans and delivers key charity events that bring communities together to support the cause. Their work helps build strong relationships with local supporters while generating vital income.
The Individual Giving team focuses on inspiring and stewarding donations from individual supporters. They develop campaigns and journeys that encourage regular giving, lottery participation, in-memory donations, and gifts left in Wills. The team works to build long-term relationships with donors by communicating the impact of their generosity. Their efforts help provide a sustainable and predictable source of income for the charity.
The Volunteering team recruits, supports, and coordinates the charity’s dedicated team of volunteers. They ensure volunteers are trained, informed, and recognised for the vital role they play across the charity. The team works to create positive and rewarding volunteer experiences while ensuring volunteers feel valued and connected to the chairty’s mission. Their work helps expand the charity’s reach and impact within the community.
This team secures significant funding from major donors, corporate partners, and charitable trusts and foundations. They build strategic relationships with organisations and individuals who can make a substantial contribution to the charity’s mission. The team prepares funding proposals, partnership opportunities, and stewardship programmes to maintain long-term support. Their work helps unlock major funding opportunities that enable the charity to expand and sustain its services.
The Supporter Engagement team focuses on building and maintaining meaningful relationships with the charity’s supporters. They are often the first contact a support has with the charity, ensuring supporters feel valued and informed about the difference they make. They support all teams through stewardship and campaign processing. By understanding supporter motivations and preferences, the team helps strengthen long-term loyalty and involvement. Their work ensures supporters remain connected to the charity’s mission and impact.
The IT and Data Governance team manages the organisation’s technology systems, infrastructure, data management practices and CRM. They ensure staff have reliable digital tools and secure systems to support their work. The team also oversees data protection, data quality, and compliance with relevant regulations. Their work ensures information is managed responsibly while enabling teams to make informed, data-driven decisions.
The Retail and Operations team oversees the charity’s retail stores and the wider operational processes of the charity. They manage shop performance, stock donations, merchandising, and the recruitment and support of shop volunteers and staff. The team ensures retail activities run efficiently while maximising income from donated goods. Their work generates important funding that directly supports the charity’s services.
The Finance team manages the charity’s financial planning, reporting, and compliance. They ensure that income and expenditure are carefully monitored and that funds are used responsibly and transparently. The team supports departments with budgeting and financial guidance while ensuring regulatory and audit requirements are met. Their work provides the financial stability and accountability necessary for the charity to operate effectively.
The Central Services team provides essential administrative support across the charity. They help coordinate internal processes, manage documentation, and ensure teams have the operational support they need to work efficiently. Their work helps maintain smooth day-to-day operations and supports effective communication across departments. This behind-the-scenes support enables the wider charity to focus on delivering its services and fundraising activities.
The People and Culture team supports the organisation’s staff and volunteers by fostering a positive, inclusive, and high-performing workplace. They oversee recruitment, onboarding, learning and development, and employee wellbeing, ensuring people feel supported and able to thrive in their roles. The team also leads on organisational culture, values, and internal engagement initiatives. Their work helps attract, retain, and develop talented individuals who are committed to delivering the charity’s mission.
Hear directly from the people who make our lifesaving work possible. In this video, charity staff share why they joined the North West Air Ambulance Charity, what keeps them inspired, and what being part of our One Crew really means to them.
Working with us you can expect a rewarding, fulfilling career where you’ll make a difference.
Our 48-strong team provide vital, lifesaving care every day of the week.
