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.

In June 2019, Martin was appointed as Chair of the Centre For Youth Impact which reflects his long-term commitment and dedication to making a positive impact on the lives of young adults and children.

Richard Lee, Chief Operating Officer

Richard Lee joined St John Ambulance as Chief Operating Officer in November 2018. He has spent 25 years in the NHS ambulance sector in a number of clinical and operational roles. He was previously the Director of Operations at the Welsh Ambulance Service NHS Trust (WAST), where he helped to improve their performance and reputation. He also played a key role in WAST’s clinical modernisation programme and new response model. As well as helping to develop and lead their volunteer activity.

Richard is also a registered paramedic and maintains his clinical competency by volunteering for St John Ambulance at events across the country. In 2016 he was awarded the Queen’s Ambulance Medal for distinguished ambulance service. He is also an examiner for the Royal College of Surgeons Faculty of Pre-Hospital Care in Edinburgh where he holds a Fellowship in Immediate Care.

Rebecca Mauger, Director of Fundraising

Rebecca joined St John Ambulance as Fundraising Director in August 2018. Her role involves leading the Fundraising department and working with our volunteers who inspire donors to support the work of St John Ambulance, the Priory of St John England & The Islands, and the Museum of the Order of St John.

Before St John Ambulance, Rebecca held the position of interim Executive Director of Fundraising at the British Red Cross. Over the previous 15 years, she also held a variety of other fundraising roles driving significant income growth at the British Red Cross, and across the International Red Cross Movement.

Steve Foster, Director of People and 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 and Enterprise

Mel Fox is the Director of Training & Enterprise. 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.

Sarah Duthie, Director of Priory and International Affairs

Sarah Duthie joined St John Ambulance as the Director of Priory & International Affairs in November 2018. Sarah was previously the Public Engagement Director at the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich where she led a project to improve public access to collections and conservation work. Previously Sarah has worked as a consultant on heritage projects and led the transformative project at the Bishop’s Palace in Wells to improve visitor experiences and develop new exhibitions. She has worked for charities and not for profit organisations since 2000. She has worked extensively with volunteers and the Old Royal Naval College achieved the ‘Investing in Volunteers’ accreditation in 2016. Sarah’s post graduate qualifications are in Strategic Management and History of Art & Architecture.

As Director of Priory & International Affairs, Sarah is part of the Executive Leadership Team. Sarah’s team is responsible for supporting the Prior and the Chief Executive to lead the work of the Priory nationally and internationally, looking after our heritage and collections and promoting honours and awards within the Order of St John.

James Radford, Director of Strategy and Communications

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.

Jo Keaney, Director of Finance and Corporate Services

Jo Keaney is the Director of Finance & Corporate 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.