NWAS Chief Executive to retire

Derek Cartwright

Derek Cartwright QAM, Chief Executive of North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust, is to retire after more than 30 years in the ambulance service.

Before taking on the Chief Executive role, Mr Cartwright’s lengthy career saw him working in many areas of the organisation, from his first position in the patient transport service in 1986, to joining the emergency service in 1988 as one of Greater Manchester’s first cohort of paramedics, and then moving into the operational control centre as a shift control manager.

Previous to his ambulance journey, Mr Cartwright fought fires as a part time fireman.

After a number of years as an operational manager in Oldham and Rochdale, he became general manager, operations director, area director in Cumbria and Lancashire, director of emergency services and became chief executive in 2016.

Still registered as a paramedic, Mr Cartwright received the Queen's Ambulance Medal (QAM) in the New Year's Honours list in 2015.

NWAS Chairman, Wyn Dignan said: “Derek was immensely proud to be appointed as chief executive and has put his heart and soul into supporting staff and patients across the North West.

"He is held in high regard by all parts of the health sector and particularly across the ambulance sector and will be sorely missed by us all.

“I would like to express my thanks and gratitude to him for a long and devoted service, and wish him well in all his future endeavours.”

Mr Cartwright lives in Bolton with his wife Joanne, has four grown up children and two grandchildren. A lifelong supporter of Bolton Wanderers, he is also a registered bee keeper.

He retires from NWAS on 30 June.