by Trevor Sturgess

tsturgess@thekmgroup.co.uk

The man whose decisions helped save lives across the region, has stepped down as chief executive of Kent Air Ambulance Trust after six years.

During that time, David Philpott transformed its finances, promoted the deployment of on-board medics and launched new services into Sussex and Surrey. He is moving to a similar job at London Air Ambulance.

The former Baptist minister, who grew up in Bromley, was an unlikely but inspired choice to follow the pioneering achievements of service founder Kate Chivers.

In a farewell exclusive interview with Kent Business, free with this week’s Kent Messenger, he said he was moving on for a new challenge. Moving to London would allow things to be “renewed and refreshed” and enable him ”to give something back to the place that was my cradle”.

Trust chairman Tony Monteuuis said that Mr Philpott had put the service at the forefront of Europe’s air ambulance services. This was one of the main reasons why the trust would be hosting the prestigious AirMed conference of worldwide air ambulance services in 2011.

He said: "He had very creative vision as to where we needed to be going and two of his lasting achievements have been our expansion into Sussex and Surrey and the fact that we now fly specialist doctors on our helicopters.

“These decisions have resulted in the saving of a vastly increased number of lives."

Mr Monteuuis added: “The board has always been very happy to run with him on issues relating to expenditure and new ventures because his logic was clear and he had a sound idea of where we should be heading."

Operations director John Tickner has taken over from Mr Philpott as acting chief executive until a permanent appointment is made.