THE St John Ambulance & Rescue Service has a new chief ambulance officer.

Jon Beausire (pictured), the current deputy chief, will be responsible for all operational staff, managing ambulance and rescue operations and the service’s response to incidents.

He replaces Neil Tucker who has been appointed director of finance and administration. Mr Tucker will join the board and have executive responsibility for the service’s administration and for the financial and business side.

Board chairman Tom Castledine said the change was part of a plan for the development of the service, which celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2006.

It is a charitable company registered in Guernsey. It is wholly owned by the Order of St John in England, which also runs volunteer St John Ambulance first aid units in the UK and Guernsey.

The service is unusual in being a non-States body that provides an essential emergency service.

It is unique among ambulance services in combining professional emergency services with land and sea-based rescue teams, which are funded purely by donations and charitable giving.