Mark Mapp, Chief Executive Officer of Guernsey’s St John Ambulance & Rescue Service (SJARS) has been formally invested as an Officer of The Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem.

The investiture took place on Thursday at the historic Priory Church of St John in Clerkenwell, London.

Mark said: “I am deeply honoured and incredibly privileged to have been bestowed the esteemed title of an Officer within The Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem. This distinguished recognition is a testament to the dedication, compassion, and unwavering commitment to serving our community since I was a St John cadet.

“Being entrusted with the responsibilities of this illustrious Order fills me with a profound sense of gratitude and humility. The Order’s rich history, founded upon the principles of charity, chivalry and humanitarian service, resonates deeply within my heart. I am acutely aware of the tremendous privilege that comes with this appointment, as it affords me the opportunity to continue in my local roles to make a tangible difference within St John.”

Mark joined St John as a cadet at the age of 15, taking part in first aid competitions in Ambulance Aid in Jersey and the UK, before becoming a volunteer with the adult section of the Guernsey Ambulance Division of St John.

After studying in Portsmouth, Mark returned to Guernsey and joined the St John charity, volunteering in a number of senior roles and serving with the Volunteer Ambulance Reserves, a group which supports the emergency ambulance service at times of high demand and at major incidents. In 1998 he went on to join SJARS and trained to become a paramedic, serving. During his career Mark has also worked for the East of England Ambulance Service and Guernsey’s health service, although he has always continued to be  involved with St John in various roles. He returned to the ambulance service in 2019 and was appointed Chief Ambulance Officer.

Mark was accompanied at the ceremony by his wife Pauline and the Knight Commander of St John in Guernsey John Hollis.

John Hollis said: “I was delighted that Mark Mapp’s cumulative service to the St John organisation in Guernsey, which started many years ago as a cadet, was formally and widely acknowledged by the Order of St John at the Priory in London.

“The events on the day of his Investiture as an Officer of St John helped to highlight the wide range of services provided by St John in the Bailiwick of Guernsey. These include the emergency ambulance service commissioned and part-funded by the States of Guernsey, the ambulance service in Alderney and a further substantial range of services provided by St John volunteers. The latter include the volunteer crew of the Flying Christine Marine Ambulance, Community First Responders, Youth Services to inspire more “home-grown” in the Health and Care sector, Library Services and Caring Callers.”

The Order of St John, formally known as The Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem, is a Royal Order of Chivalry first constituted as such by Royal Charter from Queen Victoria in 1888. Currently, His Majesty King Charles III is the Sovereign Head of The Order of St John.