The chief executive of Air Ambulances UK is to take up the top job at the drowning prevention charity the Royal Life Saving Society UK. 

Simmy Akhtar will leave Air Ambulances UK in December after almost four years in the role to succeed Robert Gofton, who stepped down from the RLSS in August after five years in post. 

Before joining Air Ambulances UK, which supports the 21 air ambulance charities in the UK, Akhtar held roles in the legal and public sectors, including five years as chief officer at Healthwatch Stoke-on-Trent, which collects and passes on feedback about NHS services to help them improve. 

Deborah Hunt, RLSS UK President, said: “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.”

Patrick Peal, chair of Air Ambulances UK, said: “On behalf of the trustees and the entire organisation, I would like to express our sincere thanks to Simmy for her outstanding leadership and dedication. 

“Simmy’s passion and vision have taken Air Ambulances UK to new heights, and we have no doubt that she will continue to excel in her new role at the Royal Life Saving Society UK. We will miss her and wish her all the very best in this next chapter of her career.”

Akhtar said of joining RLSS UK: “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.”

Jo Talbot, commercial director at the RLSS, will act as interim chief executive until Akhtar takes up her new role on 6 January.