A man whose resume includes aid stints in conflict-torn Rwanda, Angola and Bosnia has been given the top job at the Rochester Airport-based air ambulance.

David Welch will head up the charity which serves 4.7 million residents in Kent, Surrey and Sussex and offers rapid medical care to seriously ill patients.

After returning from the war zones Mr Welch led a number of health charities in his native Scotland and has most recently served as chief executive of Leeds Cares, which works alongside one of the country's largest NHS trust, Leeds Teaching Hospitals.

Mr Welch, who has 25 years' experience in health and aid, will begin his role in Kent on August 1.

He said: "I know from the vital and life-saving difference that can be made by rapid response to trauma and medical emergency.

"I am incredibly excited about the opportunity to lead and develop the air ambulance. The frontline crews are recognised as among the very best and most innovative in the country, if not the world.”

He will take over from Michael Docherty, who has been the charity’s interim chief executive for the past year and will now return to the board as a trustee.

It costs £11 million to operate the air ambulance, which flies 2,500 mission every year, and 92% of that comes from donations.

nFor further information visit www.aakss.org.uk