Following seven successful years as CEO of HTG-UK, and a Director level career in the NHS and Ambulance Sector of over 30 years, Derek Laird has decided the time is right to take a well-deserved break and has confirmed his retirement.
Derek joined HTG-UK (formerly Thames Ambulance Service) in February 2018, at a time where the business was under significant financial and operational pressure. He has led the transformation of the Company to its current position as one of the largest private providers of Patient Transport services in the UK.
Whilst Derek leaves HTG-UK as CEO, his legacy will be long-lasting, as the Company continues to take strides to become the premier provider of non-emergency patient transport and mental health transportation services in the UK.
Guillermo Moya, CEO of Health Transformation Group has said:
‘Thank you, Derek, for your exceptional leadership and unwavering commitment over the past seven years.
Through your personal gravitas, and deep sense of responsibility, you guided the organisation with strength and integrity. Your efforts not only brought lasting impact but also ensured a strong team following your footprints, testament to the enduring legacy of your leadership.’
Derek’s last day as CEO will be the 31st July 2025 and we are sure he will leave with everyone’s best wishes.
Prior to his full-time retirement, Derek has agreed to support HTG-UK with the mobilisation of our new Suffolk and NorthEast Essex contract which commences 1st April 2026. Having Derek’s input and support to such an important project, we have no doubt, will ensure the mobilisation is very successful.
Neil Berry, our current Chief Operations Officer has accepted the role of CEO following Derek’s retirement. Neil will commence his new position on the 1st August 2025.
Neil has been with HTG-UK since April 2020. Initially joining as HR Director, his portfolio has grown significantly and since November 2020, Neil has led our operations and HR Team and later supporting our Quality and Clinical Governance Team.
Over the past 5 years Neil has been instrumental in improving our operational and financial performance and in helping to shape our culture and vision for the future. He has proven to be an exceptional leader and will no doubt transfer these skills in his new role.
We wish Neil the very best in his new position as CEO and, once in post, Neil will provide further information and his vision for the future.
Derek Laird’s message to HTG-UK colleagues
“It only seems like yesterday when I started my NHS career at Cambridgeshire Ambulance Service, a service which has manifested itself into the East of England. It was however 1990!
I have been so fortunate to have been blessed with so many career opportunities within Ambulance Services. My NHS journey also included working as Business Manager at Two Shires (Northants and Bucks), my first Director role at 34 in Lancashire, acting CEO in Cumbria, Commercial Director in West Midlands.
After a couple of consultancy positions, the last of which was supporting Sussex CCGs, which was so enjoyable, I took the decision to accept the position of CEO of Thames Ambulance Service, now HTG-UK.
I promised myself that I would work for 3 years…….7 years later, although still loving my role, I feel it is time to step aside and allow myself a well needed rest. I am however really excited that the replacement for the CEO role will be undertaken by Neil Berry who has been a magnificent support for me for the last
5 years, and I have no doubt, supported by his fellow Directors, will do an amazing job.
The last 7 years has certainly had many memorable moments, however the continual improvement in our service provision has been at times breathtaking.
I feel so very privileged to have had such a wonderful team of people working at HTG-UK but as importantly the immense support we have received from HTG in Spain. Guillermo Moya, our Group CEO and prior to him Gonzaga Higuero, have encouraged and supported the development and ultimate success of HTG-UK. For that I hold so much personal gratitude.
Although retiring from my CEO position at the end of July, I have agreed to provide support for the mobilisation of our recent tender success in Suffolk and NorthEast Essex, an offer I was delighted to accept. Having been brought up in Suffolk and lived in North Essex I am very much looking forward to my return.
I would just like to finish by thanking everyone at HTG-UK for your support over the past 7 years and I will do my best to get out and see you all in my final three months.”