Jason Killens has nearly 30 years of experience and is currently leading the Welsh Ambulance Service

Jason Killens (credit London Ambulance Service)

London Ambulance Service has appointed a new chief executive.

Jason Killens is the NHS trust’s new boss and will take up his post this summer. He has nearly 30 years’ experience in the ambulance sector and is currently chief executive of the Welsh Ambulance Service.

His appointment marks a return to London and the ambulance service where Jason began his career as an emergency medical technician. Over several years he worked operationally in north-east, central and south-east London before taking on a number of leadership roles, including executive director of operations. His time in leadership during his first tenure at London Ambulance Service (LAS) included overseeing the London 2012 Olympic Games and responding to the devastating 7/7 London bombings.

He was appointed the chief executive of the South Australia Ambulance Service in 2015 before joining the Welsh Ambulance Service in 2018. Jason is also the current chair of the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE).

Jason was awarded the King’s Ambulance Service Medal (KAM) in the 2023 Birthday Honours List.

LAS trust chair Andy Trotter said: “I am delighted to announce Jason’s appointment as chief executive following a rigorous interview process.

“Jason has dedicated his career to the ambulance sector and brings a wealth of valuable experience from an impressive 30-year career. He joins us at a time of great change for the NHS, which LAS will play a vital role in delivering.

“His passion for providing high-quality, safe care and leading a workforce of highly skilled people will be a huge benefit to our patients and to London.”

Jason succeeds outgoing chief executive Daniel Elkeles who leaves later this month to take up a post as CEO of NHS Providers, a membership organisation for hospitals, mental health, community and ambulance services that treat patients in the NHS.

Jason said: “It’s a great honour to return to the place where my career began and lead an organisation full of great people all focused on delivering great care for more than nine million people.

“Against a backdrop of an ageing population and growing pressure on the urgent and emergency care sector, I want to continue driving forward improvements that ensure our service is the best it can be for our staff and volunteers and for our patients in the years ahead.”

No news is bad news

Independent news outlets like ours – reporting for the community without rich backers – are under threat of closure, turning British towns into news deserts.

The audiences they serve know less, understand less, and can do less.

If our coverage has helped you understand our community a little bit better, please consider supporting us with a monthly, yearly or one-off donation.

Choose the news. Don’t lose the news.

Monthly direct debit

Annual direct debit

£5 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else, £10 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else and a print copy posted to them each month. £50 annual supporters get a digital copy of each month's paper before anyone else. £84 annual supporters get a print copy by post and a digital copy of each month's before anyone else.