A paramedic with 25 years’ experience has been unveiled as the new chief executive of the region’s ambulance service.

The East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EEAST) has today announced that Robert Morton has been appointed as its new chief executive.

Mr Morton, a paramedic and a community first responder, has worked in the ambulance service for almost 25 years, mainly with the National Ambulance Service in Ireland where he was chief executive for three years. He later became chief executive of the South Australian Ambulance Service.

Mr Morton, whose annual salary is £142,200, replaces Anthony Marsh who stepped down as the service’s interim chief executive last week.

Dr Marsh had shared the equivalent position at the West Midlands Ambulance Service Trust for 19 months, earning a much-criticised £232,000 four-day-a-week salary.

Mr Morton said: “I am thrilled to be the new chief executive and very much look forward to working with my new EEAST colleagues.

“The service has been through some very difficult and challenging times over the last few years, but I am confident we can build on the good work that Anthony Marsh has put in place to further improve our services for patients and at the same time make this a even better place to work.

“Having worked in the ambulance service for many, many years I understand the challenges and issues and how we can resolve them together.

“While it is not going to be easy, I know first-hand the commitment and dedication of those working in the ambulance service and that together we can make a real difference for patients.”

Trust chair Sarah Boulton said: “I am delighted Robert is going to lead our trust as we look to make further improvements to the service we give to patients.

“Robert is an experienced ambulance chief executive who will be able to connect immediately with frontline staff and volunteers thanks to his paramedic and volunteering background.

“I would like to pay special thanks to Anthony who has worked tirelessly to rebuild the service since last January. Thanks to this work, we are now in a position to take the next steps on our journey, building a better service for patients and staff.”

Mr Morton will take up the chief executive post on August 24.