New Board appointment to help shape the future of NEAS
North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (NEAS) has appointed Alaric Pritchard as its newest non-executive director (NED), strengthening the Board with extensive experience in leadership, transformation, governance and strategic decision-making.
Alaric has a diverse career spanning healthcare, government, education and regulated industries. His experience includes senior leadership, programme delivery and board-level roles across the public, private and higher education sectors, as well as several independent public appointments and previous NHS non-executive director experience.
NEAS Chair, Stuart Corbridge welcomed the appointment, saying: "Alaric brings a wealth of experience in leadership, transformation and governance from across the public, private and education sectors.
“His strong track record of delivering complex change programmes, combined with his commitment to public service, will provide valuable insight and challenge to the Board.”
Alaric said: "I am delighted to be joining the NEAS Board and becoming part of an organisation with a strong reputation for delivering high-quality care to communities across the North East.
“I look forward to working with colleagues, partners and stakeholders to support the trust's long-term vision, champion strong governance and help ensure patients continue to receive safe, effective and responsive care."
The role of a non-executive directors involves:
- Provide independent scrutiny and strategic challenge
- Support the development of NEAS's values, culture and long-term vision
- Seek assurance on quality, safety and performance
- Champion good governance, integrity and effective risk management
- Act as an ambassador for NEAS at local, regional and national level
- Help strengthen partnership working across the North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care System
Stuart added: “On behalf of the Board, we are pleased to welcome him to the service and look forward to the contribution he will make in supporting our ambitions for patients, staff and communities across the North East."
As NEAS looks to the future, it does so from a position of strength. The trust serves 2.7 million people across the North East, employs more than 3,600 staff and answered more than 1.475 million NHS 111 and 999 calls in 2025/26, making a difference to thousands of patients every day.
We look forward to welcoming Alaric to North East Ambulance Service on 1 October for an initial 3-year term.