London Ambulance Service has appointed Craig Harman as Chief Operating Officer at a crucial time for the capital’s emergency care system.
Craig will oversee the day-to-day running of the country’s busiest ambulance service and ensure that Londoners can continue to receive the best possible care from our medics on scene and over the phone.
Bringing more than two decades of experience across the public, voluntary and private sectors, Craig returns to London Ambulance Service after holding senior roles across the UK ambulance and healthcare landscape.
Craig began his career at the Service in 2003 caring for patients in various control room and operational roles including being part of the team who led the service during the London 2012 Olympic Games and responding to major incidents across the capital in 2017.
He has worked in a national role at Scottish Ambulance Service before joining St John Ambulance as their director of operations and deputy chief operating officer. He has previously been a specialist advisor to the Care Quality Commission and a member of the NHS Assembly, advising the board at NHS England on the NHS Long Term Plan.
More recently, he led a range of commercial healthcare contracts in the private sector and worked as an independent consultant with the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE).
Jason Killens KAM, Chief Executive at London Ambulance Service, said:
“I’m very pleased Craig is taking up this important role at a crucial time for the Service and the wider health system.
“Craig will take the helm of our operational delivery, continuing to drive down our response times so patients can get the right care from us – whether that’s an ambulance response, an assessment over the phone or at home in the community from one of our specialist clinicians.
“He brings a formidable range of skills and experience to help us continue to provide excellent care for Londoners.”
Craig Harman added:
“I’m very proud to be returning to London Ambulance Service and take on the role of Chief Operating Officer. As the Service gets busier every year, it’s vital that we do all we can to keep up with demand and provide people with the right care that they need.
“It’s an absolute privilege to serve the people of London and to lead our remarkable teams who care for the nine million people living and working in this incredible city.”
The appointment was made following a robust and open recruitment process which attracted high-calibre applicants from the ambulance and wider health sectors
Craig took up post on Monday 18 May.
