St John seeks new Knight or Dame Commander

12 September 2024

The Commandery of St John in the Bailiwick of Guernsey is looking to appoint a new Knight or Dame Commander, who as chair of the organisation will be the leading figure and principal public face of the board which oversees both the St John Guernsey charity and Ambulance and Rescue Guernsey.

The recruitment of a new Knight or Dame Commander follows the recent retirement of John Hollis OstJ who stood down due to poor health.

The role involves leading the organisation, providing strategic oversight and chairing the Commandery of St John in the Bailiwick of Guernsey. The post holder will be an ambassador for St John, engaging with political and community stakeholders, developing and fostering partnerships, working with the media and representing St John at official events locally and in the UK.

Nicola Hoyland-Birch who is leading the appointment process explained: “We are looking for an inspirational leader, who shares the St John values and can support and develop the growth of the organisation as a whole, so we can continue to deliver the excellent care and compassion that islanders have come to expect. The role requires someone who is an experienced and professional chair person, with excellent communication skills and who is able to engage a wide range of stakeholders.”

This is a voluntary role.

St John operates St John Guernsey, a charity which is dedicated to helping islanders through the provision of first aid, training and youth work; and Ambulance and Rescue Guernsey which provides emergency medical and major incident response for the Bailiwick on behalf of the States of Guernsey and the States of Alderney.

The Commandery of St John in the Bailiwick of Guernsey oversees the St John Guernsey charity and St John Ambulance and Rescue Service (Ambulance and Rescue, Guernsey).

The Commandery is part of the Priory of England and the Islands, and St John International

The Order of St John is an Order of Chivalry of the British Crown and His Majesty King Charles III, the Sovereign Head of the Order.

The St John Guernsey charity provides event first aid, youth work, the community library, first aid in schools and St John Training Services.

The St John Guernsey charity is funded by donations and sponsorship.

St John provides the Ambulance Service on behalf of the States of Guernsey through a grant from the Committee for Health & Social Care. The grant is a contribution towards the operating costs of the service, with the remaining costs being met in a variety of ways including the subscription scheme and charges.

Ambulance and Rescue Service is a partner in the HSC Partnership of Purpose.

The ambulance service also provides the non-emergency patient transfer service and a major incident response for the islands.

St John has been operating the Ambulance and Rescue service in Guernsey since 1936.

Guernsey’s Ambulance and Rescue Service also provides the ambulance service for Alderney on behalf of the States of Alderney.

The Flying Christine III is a purpose built marine ambulance, which delivers pre-hospital paramedic care to the islands of the Bailiwick. The crew is made up of skilled volunteers from the local marine community and professional ambulance staff from Guernsey’s ambulance service.