Our leadership team

Martin Houghton-Brown, Chief Executive

Martin joined St John Ambulance as chief executive in January 2018. He has a strong track record in leading the development of public service delivery and in policy change with a focus on giving people – especially young people – the chance to fulfil their potential through volunteering, education and training. He comes to St John Ambulance from Depaul UK, where he was chief executive for five years. While at the charity Missing People, he successfully campaigned for a new missing persons law and launched the new national telephone number for missing people. He has also held roles at the Children’s Society and served as Chair of the  YMCA England & Wales board of trustees.

Mark Farmer, Director of First Aid Services

Mark Farmer took up the new post as Director of First Aid Services in April 2016, having been Regional Director for the South East region since joining St John Ambulance in March 2012. As Director of First Aid Services, Mark has responsibility for St John Ambulance's first aid delivery including event first aid, community work and ambulance operations. Mark and his team also provide leadership and support to St John Ambulance volunteers, including our engagement with young people.

Prior to joining St John Ambulance, Mark held a number of senior management posts in the hospitality and events industries, including roles as Operations Director for Youth Hostels Association and Chief Executive of the Lincolnshire Show and Showground, and as Vice Chair of Visit Lincolnshire.

Steve Foster, Director of People & Organisation

Steve Foster is the Director of People & Organisation, joining St John Ambulance in 2010. His directorate includes HR, Volunteering, Safeguarding and Health & Safety.

Overall, he is responsible for making St John Ambulance a more rewarding place to work and volunteer at, as well as ensuring that we are legally compliant and safe.

Before St John Ambulance, Steve previously worked in the private sector for various multinational companies in HR leadership roles.

Mel Fox, Director of Training

Mel Fox is the Director of Training. He joined St John Ambulance in July 2003 initially as the CEO for West Midlands Region prior to becoming a Regional Director within the-then newly formed Commercial Training Division, now known as Workplace Training. Prior to joining St John Ambulance, Mel spent 20 years in retail banking and 7 years in the private sector with equity funded start-ups.

His directorate includes Workplace Training and the Central Training team, Schools, Volunteer & Employee Training, National Resourcing, Sales, Customer Services and Supplies.

Karl Heydenrych, Director of Information Systems & Processes

As Director of Information Systems and Processes, Karl Heydenrych is responsible for the business as usual delivery of IT services. This includes infrastructure, development and support of a user base of over 15,000 people across the organisation, as well as project and programme management to deliver technology supported change.

Before joining St John Ambulance in 2005, Karl has worked in web development agencies, corporate rebranding project management and IT support services.

Gary Maydon, Director of Corporate Services & Priory

Gary Maydon is Director of Corporate Services & Priory. He provides legal and other advice across St John Ambulance and the Priory, in particular to the Trustees and the Chief Executive. Gary sees one of his most important roles as maintaining the ‘glue’ between the Priory and St John Ambulance.

Gary is a chartered secretary and qualified barrister and has previously worked in the banking, utilities, insurance and legal fields. His speciality is Charity Law and Governance.

James Radford, Head of Strategy & Performance Measurement

James Radford joined St John Ambulance in November 2016 after a decade of working in the sport and leisure industries in a variety of policy, insight and strategy roles. Most recently, he helped write the government’s overall sport strategy and that of Sport England, championing the role of insight in the process.

At St John Ambulance he is responsible for working with the Board and the Senior Management Team to develop the organisation’s strategy and monitor progress against the goals within it, including through supporting annual business planning, overall risk management and research into our impact.

Roxy Boyce, Director of Quality & Standards

Roxy Boyce started her career as a nurse and health visitor before moving into a variety of management roles in both acute and community health services. Roxy has also held senior roles in the Department of Health, Civil Service and Care Quality Commission before joining St John Ambulance in late 2016.

Roxy’s expertise lies in corporate planning and governance, and leading transformational change.

Jo Keaney, Director of Finance & Shared Services

Jo Keaney is the Director of Finance & Shared Services and is responsible for Finance, Property and Facilities. Her team are based at NHQ, Winchester, in the regions (including a National Facilities team) and at the Shared Services Centre in Sheffield.

Jo’s previous role was Corporate Director of Finance at Victim Support, and prior to that, she held several Finance Director roles in the education sector and media. Jo is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, a Member of the Institute of Taxation and has an MA in Finance and Investment.