A member of the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award to mark 20 years of service.

Ian Roberts received the prestigious honour at the national Air Ambulances UK (AAUK) Awards of Excellence 2023.

Mr Roberts embarked on his career in 1983 at Worcester Ambulance Station and, in just six years, progressed into management.

In due course, he became a control officer before taking on the role of divisional officer for Worcestershire, managing all seven ambulance stations across the county.

In 2003, Mr Roberts successfully applied for a secondment to Air Operations and joined the air ambulance, then known as County Air Ambulance.

Over the next decade, he played a vital role in implementing and managing West Midlands Ambulance Service’s regional trauma desk and Medical Emergency Response Incident Team (MERIT) systems.

In 2014, his stellar service led to his promotion to air operations manager.

Mr Roberts retired from his full-time position in 2020.

Malvern Gazette: Ian Roberts received the prestigious honour at the national Air Ambulances UK (AAUK) Awards of

However, due to his invaluable experience, strategic outlook and dedication to patient care, he was asked to re-join the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity in an advisory capacity, helping to guide its senior leadership team.

Alongside this, Mr Roberts also assumed the shared role of CQC registered manager, supporting Midlands Air Ambulance Charity to attain clinical independence in April 2022.

Chief executive for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, Hanna Sebright, said: "Ian’s commitment to our pre-hospital emergency service knows no bounds.

"He has played an intrinsic part in enabling our charity to develop and grow over and helping us gain our CQC registration.

"Since then, Ian has facilitated the construction phase of our new Cosford airbase and charity headquarters to ensure it has all the requirements to help us futureproof our lifesaving service and continue to always put patient care and safety first above anything else."

Commending Mr Roberts' contribution, Julian Spiers, critical care paramedic and team leader for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, said: "Ian’s relaxed yet no-nonsense approach has made him a popular and indispensable member of our charity’s Senior Leadership Team.

"His Lifetime Achievement Award is truly deserved for his commitment to patient care."