Appointment of Executive Director of Quality and Nursing

The Welsh Ambulance Service has appointed a new Executive Director of Quality and Nursing.

Liam Williams, a Registered Nurse, joins the Trust from NHS South, Central and West, where he is the Director of Quality and System Performance.

Prior to that, he was the Chief Nursing Officer at North Somerset Clinical Commissioning Group, Director of Commissioning Operations at Merton Clinical Commissioning Group and Executive Director of Nursing at Great Western Ambulance Service.

Liam holds a degree in Sociology and Politics from Oxford Brookes University, and a master’s degree in Managing Partnerships in Health and Social Care from the University of Birmingham. 

Recently, he completed the Florence Nightingale Foundation Integrated Care Systems Clinical Leaders Programme.

Of his appointment, Liam, who lives in Thornbury, said: “I am pleased to have been offered and accepted this exciting opportunity to play a part in leading health services across Wales. 

“I undertook my nurse education as I always had a desire to work in urgent and emergency care, and I have been fortunate to do this in a variety of roles over the course of my career.

“Joining the Welsh Ambulance Service is something I am incredibly proud to do. 

“I look forward to starting in my new role and meeting colleagues across the organisation, and in our partner organisations, to continue the really positive work that is taking place in support of patients and communities in Wales.”

Liam replaces Claire Roche, who was appointed Powys Teaching Health Board’s Executive Director of Nursing and Midwifery in March.

Wendy Herbert, the Trust’s Assistant Director of Quality and Nursing, has been acting in an interim capacity since then.

Chief Executive Jason Killens said: “Nursing has come a long way at the Welsh Ambulance Service, and as we emerge from one of the toughest chapters in our history, the quality of care we deliver to patients is more important than ever.

“We’re thrilled with Liam’s appointment, and look forward to the breadth of experience he will bring to the role, not least his experience as a Registered Nurse at the coal face.

“We’d also like to say a huge and heartfelt thank you to Wendy, who has been skilfully holding the fort on an interim basis.”

Liam will take up post in August.

Editor’s Notes
For more information, please call Head of Communications Lois Hough on 07866887559 or email Lois.Hough@wales.nhs.uk