07/10/2024

After a rigorous recruitment process, the Trustee Board of Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) is delighted to announce that Simmy Akhtar has been appointed new CEO starting January 2025. This appointment signals a new era of innovation and growth for the national charity.

Simmy will join RLSS UK from Air Ambulances UK, where she has been Chief Executive since March 2021. She brings diverse experience from the charity, private legal, public, and not-for-profit sectors. Simmy has over 15 years of experience in leadership roles, including board level, as a Non-Executive Director at Midlands Partnership University Foundation Trust and Trustee at Support Staffordshire.

Simmy replaces Robert Gofton, the former CEO of RLSS UK for over five years, who left the Society in late August. Jo Talbot, who stepped up from Commercial Director, will continue to lead the organisation as Interim CEO until Simmy's much-anticipated arrival on 6 January 2025.

Deborah Hunt, RLSS UK President, said about the appointment: "The Board is delighted to announce the appointment of Simmy Akhtar as CEO of the Royal Life Saving Society UK. Simmy will lead the organisation in delivering our strategy and setting a clear vision for 2025 and beyond. Simmy brings a wealth of experience from previous roles, including CEO of Air Ambulances UK, positions in the NHS and Local Authority environments, and a solicitor in the private legal sector. 

We look forward to working closely with Simmy and supporting her as she takes on this exciting new role."

Simmy Akhtar added: "I am delighted to be appointed to the role of CEO at the Royal Life Saving Society UK and look forward to joining the team in January. Making a positive difference to the lives of many is something I am incredibly passionate about. I am excited to be joining a charity that is dedicated to saving lives and empowering communities with the skills and knowledge to stay safe around water."

This new era of leadership aligns perfectly with the Society's future direction as we come to the end of our 2020 – 2025 Strategic Framework and embark on realigned goals and plans to continue fulfilling our mission: to be the leader in lifesaving and lifeguarding in the UK and Ireland, sharing our expertise and knowledge with as many people as possible, giving everyone the potential to save lives and safely enjoy water.

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