London’s Air Ambulance Charity is pleased to announce the appointment of Captain Sam Tompkins as Chief Pilot. Captain Tompkins, who has been flying with the service since 2022, will assume his new role in December 2023.

In an aviation career spanning 20 years, Captain Sam Tompkins began flying in helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) in 2013 for organisations including Specialist Aviation Services and Essex & Hertfordshire Air Ambulance. Before he started flying, Sam worked as an Emergency Ambulance Technician in the south west of England.

In his new role, Sam will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of London’s Air Ambulance Charity’s aviation operations. This includes managing flight operations, ensuring safety standards are upheld and working closely with the service’s medical teams to provide rapid, life-saving care to those in need across the capital.

Sam will officially assume his role as Chief Pilot of London’s Air Ambulance Charity in December. His appointment comes at a significant time for the charity’s aviation team, with the arrival of two new Airbus H135’s scheduled for autumn 2024.

London’s Air Ambulance Charity delivers an advanced trauma team to critically injured patients when time is critical; serving the 10 million people who visit, live and work in London. The charity is the only one of its kind in London, performing immediate medical procedures – that are normally found in a hospital emergency department – at the scene of an incident. Since launching 34 years ago, the service has treated over 45,000 patients. It costs around £10 million a year to deliver the service, 96% of which is reliant on public donations.

Outside of work, Sam is passionate about music, playing guitar in a local band and hosting a community radio show.

Captain Sam Tompkins, Incoming Chief Pilot, London’s Air Ambulance Charity, said: “I am honoured and humbled to have been appointed as the Chief Pilot of London’s Air Ambulance Charity. For the last year I’ve had the pleasure of seeing the incredible work done across this organisation every day and I am excited to lead our dedicated team of pilots as we continue to save lives and make a positive impact on the community we serve.”

Jonathan Jenkins, CEO, London’s Air Ambulance Charity, said: “We are thrilled to have Captain Sam Tompkins as our new Chief Pilot. From a technical side his extensive aviation experience speaks for itself, but what stands out about Sam is his unwavering dedication to our mission.  At the core of everything we do are our patients and, in Sam, we have a Chief Pilot who is utterly dedicated to providing the highest level of care to the people of London.”