Swansea ambulance manager honoured in King’s New Year Honours as Welsh Ambulance Service staff recognised
Locality Manager Cath John, who began her career in 1995, has been awarded the King’s Ambulance Service Medal (KAM) for distinguished service. Emergency Ambulance Practitioner Nigel Jones and Operational Team Leader Dean Caldwell have both been appointed MBE for their voluntary and charitable work.
Welsh Ambulance Service Chief Executive Emma Wood said the trio represented the very best of the service.
Emma Wood said:
“We’re incredibly proud of colleagues who go that extra mile for patients and their communities. These awards recognise the hard work and dedication given by Nigel, Dean and Cath over the years.”
Swansea’s Cath John receives King’s Ambulance Service Medal
Cath, who is based in Swansea, started out in non‑emergency patient transport before qualifying as an Emergency Medical Technician in 1999 and later as a Paramedic in 2004. She spent 11 years on the frontline before moving into leadership roles, including Clinical Team Leader and Operations Manager during the Covid‑19 pandemic.
She became a Locality Manager in 2021.
Cath John said:
“I’ve been with the Welsh Ambulance Service for over 30 years and I love what I do. Working here has given me so many opportunities and allowed me to work alongside some really special and dedicated people.”
Cath, 54, only discovered she was receiving the KAM when she returned from annual leave and spotted the notification buried in her inbox.
Cath John said:
“At first I didn’t know whether it was real… it only sank in when I saw my name on the official list.”
MBE for volunteer who has helped disaster zones across the world
MBE recipient Nigel Jones pictured during his humanitarian work with REACT, supporting disaster‑hit communities.
(Image: Welsh Ambulance Service)
Emergency Ambulance Practitioner Nigel Jones, from Monmouthshire, has spent decades volunteering alongside his full‑time work — from supporting veterans and mountain rescue teams to deploying with humanitarian charity REACT in disaster‑hit regions.
His voluntary work has taken him from UK Covid Nightingale hospitals to bush fires in Australia, earthquake zones in Turkey and two deployments to Ukraine.
He was volunteering in Jamaica after Hurricane Melissa when he learned he had been awarded an MBE.
Nigel Jones said:
“It was a complete surprise… I never began volunteering to get recognition, but it’s a tremendous feeling to be considered in the King’s New Year Honours.”
Nigel has also completed ten marathons for charity, raising more than £10,000.
Third honour for long‑serving community volunteer
Operational Team Leader Dean Caldwell, awarded an MBE for decades of voluntary and charitable service across South Wales.
(Image: Welsh Ambulance Service)
Operational Team Leader Dean Caldwell has also been appointed MBE for decades of voluntary service across South Wales — including years with Bro Radio, the RNLI at Barry Dock, HM Coastguard Search & Rescue, and Welsh Amateur Boxing.
Dean Caldwell said:
“I am truly honoured and overwhelmed. Each role has allowed me to contribute to the wellbeing and safety of others, and I accept this MBE with immense pride.”
National praise for “the very best of Britain”
Prime Minister Keir Starmer praised all those recognised in this year’s list.
The Prime Minister said:
“This year’s Honours list celebrates the very best of Britain – people who put the common good ahead of themselves to strengthen communities and change lives.”
More New Year Honours stories
Carmarthen nurse ‘bowled over’ with MBE honour
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The King and I: Mike’s MBE for volunteer service
A lifelong volunteer from South Wales reflects on receiving an MBE for community service.
Gower College Swansea employee receives MBE
A criminology specialist at Gower College Swansea is honoured for her work studying gangs.
Llanelli-born Specsavers co-founder awarded CBE
Specsavers co-founder Dame Mary Perkins is recognised with a CBE for services to business.
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