Yorkshire Air Ambulance Charity (YAA) has appointed Kathryn Marsden OBE as its new CEO. Marsden will take up the position from 9 March.

She brings more than 36 years of experience working and leading social care and health organisations across the UK and will join the UK aeromedical charity from the Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE), where she is currently CEO. Marsden was also recognised in the King's New Years Honours list 2025 with an OBE for services to social care.

Mike Harrop, chair of trustees at YAA says: “We are absolutely delighted to welcome Kathryn to YAA as our new chief executive. Her experience in the care sector and clear commitment to our mission will be invaluable as we continue to develop, enhance and deliver life-saving critical care to patients across Yorkshire. Our trustees are fully confident that Kathryn will provide strong, compassionate leadership and strategic direction that we need to continue to progress.”

In her new role, Marsden will be responsible for leading the charity's strategic direction, operational performance and financial sustainability, while maintaining the highest standards of patient care, clinical development, safety and governance.

She adds: “I am honoured to be appointed as the new CEO of YAA and feel very privileged to be joining such a well loved and respected charity. YAA's dedication to saving lives and supporting communities is inspiring, and I look forward to working with the highly skilled crews, staff, volunteers and supporters who make this vital service possible. I am very much looking forward to leading YAA into its next chapter.”

This appointment signals an exciting new era for YAA, which has just celebrated its 25th anniversary. The charity is focusing on delivering a new strategy investing in clinical capabilities and development to 2035 and beyond, providing the best care possible to its patients.

YAA is an independent charity, delivering year-round, rapid-response emergency critical care across Yorkshire, to those in their most vital time of need. The charity, which operates three Airbus H145-D3 helicopters, is currently building a brand-new Northern airbase at Skipton Bridge near Thirsk which will be operational from late summer 2026. The new base will complement the charity's other airbase at Nostell near Wakefield, UK.