Mark Mapp, who is also CEO of the St John Ambulance and Rescue Service, has announced his intention to leave the role he has held since 2019 during the course of 2026.
He said that the announcement was being made now to ensure a planned and structured recruitment process for a successor, and a smooth transition over the coming months.
‘I am proud to have served our island communities in this leadership role for the past seven years, and of the achievements of the ambulance service as a whole, and all the individuals in the team who come to work every day to provide care, compassion and life-saving treatment for the sick and injured,’ he said.
‘The ambulance service is in a strong and stable position and I have chosen to leave at this point because I want to spend some time with my family before my son embarks on his own career. We are planning some adventures together and I want to enjoy this time while I am still fit and healthy.’
He added that he would continue in the role to provide continuity, stability and guidance during the transitional period while a successor was found.
A recruitment process for his successor will begin in January.
‘I remain focused on delivering the excellent pre-hospital service our community has come to expect,’ he said. ‘I will be working closely with the board to support the senior leadership team and operational staff through this period.’
Mr Mapp was awarded the King’s Ambulance Service Medal last year for his distinguished service and was made an Officer of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St John Jerusalem in 2022.
His first involvement with the St John organisation was as a cadet at the age of 15, and he joined the ambulance service in 1998, initially in the patient transfer service.
He went on to work as an emergency medical technician and was also a member of both the cliff rescue and inshore rescue teams.
After qualifying as a paramedic he went on to become a trainer.
Mr Mapp has also held several positions within the St John charity, including senior volunteer officer, and deputy commissioner of the voluntary section.
He spent eight years in various roles in healthcare but continued part-time with the ambulance.
His roles included leading emergency medical teams within the Princess Elizabeth Hospital and then in various leadership positions, before going back to the ambulance service full-time in 2019, when he was appointed chief officer.
Mark de Garis, chairman of the St John Ambulance and Rescue Service board of directors, said it would be sorry to see Mr Mapp leave his role.
‘Mark has made a significant contribution to the service and the community, dedicating the past seven years to leading the organisation with commitment, resilience and a clear strategic vision.
He has guided Ambulance and Rescue through a period of transformation, including the restructuring of the leadership team, increasing the financial stability of the organisation and further developing standards of quality and patient care,’ he said.
‘I am grateful that Mark has given advanced notice, which will allow us to work through the recruitment and appointment process, giving time for a structured transition and handover.
The board will continue to support Mark and his team over the coming months to ensure stability and continuity for everyone involved, including the staff and the wider island communities.’
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