by business editor Trevor Sturgess

The former boss of Kent Air Ambulance, who was fired from his new job after raising concerns about his employer’s financial position, is appealing against his dismissal.

David Philpott, who was widely credited with transforming the fortunes of the Kent life-saving service during his six years in charge, was dismissed by London Air Ambulance (LAA) on November 17 after just 12 weeks in the job.

He was told to go by the LAA chairman and escorted from the Royal London Hospital, Whitechapel, headquarters by a security officer. He had no time to remove his personal possessions, including family photographs.

He had been investigating a complaint about conflicts of interest on the board of trustees and allegations of misappropriation of charity funds and resources.

Mr Philpott, who lives in Ashford, had earlier submitted a paper to the trustees alleging that owing to a lack of proper financial controls, the charity, which costs £2.25m a year to run and is supported by the Virgin Group, was living beyond its means and trading whilst technically insolvent. Some of his concerns have been referred to the Charity Commission.

Mr Philpott says that if his appeal is turned down, he will take legal advice about whether he can pursue a claim for wrongful dismissal. Any claim for unfair dismissal has been ruled out on the grounds that he was in the job for less than a year.

In a statement, London’s Air Ambulance said: “The Trustee Board is currently investigating matters arising out of Mr Philpott’s period of employment with the Trust which caused us concern at that time and which continue to cause concern. In light of the need to observe procedural fairness, no further comment will be made until the conclusion of this investigation.

“The Board of Trustees is aware of various issues which Mr Philpott has raised during the course of his employment and is taking appropriate steps to thoroughly investigate those matters to ensure the Trust’s continued adherence to best principles of governance.”

Meanwhile, Mr Philpott has completed a book Miracles, Murders and Other Misdemeanours, a story about his colourful life before he became KAA chief executive, including his links with stars Bill Cosby, Bob Dylan and Barbra Streisand.