Driving Team

Meet the team 

Steven

Hello. I am Steven and have worked for SWASFT since 2019. My current roles are split between the Driving Faculty as a driving instructor based at St Leonard’s  and Operations as an ECA working out of Salisbury. Before joining the Trust, I had previously been employed within the health, transport and education sectors. My main passions are my Black Labradors and Volkswagen Golfs.

 

 

Robin Gwinnett

Learning and Development Manager, responsible for the driver training team

I have worked for the ambulance service since early 2000. I initially worked operationally out of Bournemouth ambulance station and then became a driving instructor in 2006. In 2010 I took over the leadership of the driver training team and have since worked on numerous national projects and programmes related to driver training within our sector.

 

 

Matthew Reece 

Hi, my name is Matt. I have worked for the trust for 6 years now, initially operationally as an ECA and since 2017 as the trust C1 instructor. I moved over to the emergency response side of the team in January. My base station is currently Torquay.

 

John Powell

I am John, I joined the Trust in 2001 to manage medical equipment, then became an ECA in 2007, enrolled on the OU Paramedic program to become a Paramedic in 2012, Joined HART in 2013 and became involved in Driver Training in 2017, In April 2019 I joined the Driving Team full time.

 

Pete Hallett

Hi There, My name is Pete `aka` “Pepe”, I have worked for SWAST since 2006 on operations and

Joined the driving faculty in 2017. Operationally I work out of East Somerset and for driver training I

predominantly work from Chippenham. I am also a union steward and first responder,

I love all my roles within SWAST and enjoy the challenges and rewards of each immensely

 

Ian Clark

Joining the ambulance service in 1992, I was a Paramedic for 24 years during which time I qualified as a driving instructor. Other than teaching, I am involved in the internal quality assurance processes and standardisation of the driving faculty, with a particular eye for detail.

 

Nina Henderson

 

Clive Adams

My name is Clive Adams based at Taunton Ambulance station. I spent 10 years in the British Army with the parachute regiment. I have been a Driving instructor for 11 years and have work for SWAST as a Driving instructor or 5 years. Clinically I am an ECA.

 

Paul Buckley

Hi my name is Paul Buckley, I have been with SWAST for 6 years. Previous to joining the driving faculty I worked as an Emergency Care Assistant. I have been a driver training officer for the last 3 years.

 

Jeremy Doyle

Hi, I'm Jez. I have worked for SWASFT since 2000, initially operationally and then in 2010 joined the driver training team. I normally work from Taunton or Chippenham.

 

Mark Easton

Started with SWAST in 2012 and joined the Driving Faculty in 2015. I am based at St Leonards in Dorset.

Dream job: Got it

Favourite food: Fajitas Worst food: Peas

Dream Car: Shelby AC Cobra

Current Car: Renault Espace

Dislikes: Aggressive, Impatient drivers

 

Mark Cawsey

I live in North Devon and joined the Trust in 2012 in a Patient Transport role before moving to a frontline position later that year. I joined the Driver Training Faculty in 2017.

 

Jon Rilstone

Jon joined the Trust in 2011 as a Driver Training Officer. Previous to this Jon completed 30 years service with Devon and Cornwall Police, during his career with the Police he qualified as an Advanced Driving Instructor and instructed TPAC skills and convoy driver training as well as mobile armed support to surveillance techniques. He is also a ROSPA approved driving instructor.

Jon has specialist interest in electronic programs and vehicle technology, together with issues related to traction.

Jon enjoys DIY, walking and spending quality time with his family.

 

 

Gary Payne

I have been involved in Driver training for over 40 years in various different roles. Emergency Response Driver training started 2007 with Dorset ambulance then 3 Years with South Central and have been here at SWAST since July 2017.

 

Bryan Steele

Background

I joined the Ambulance Service in 2001 from the commercial photography industry as an Ambulance Care Assistant, became an Advance Technician and qualified as an IHCD Emergency Response Driving Instructor in 2014. I also qualified as an Approved Driving Instructor in 2012

Personal

I was born and live in Dorset and have two children. My main interests when not working include running and walking in the beautiful Dorset countryside. I enjoy antiques and auctions, trying to repair and upcycling items. Spending time and socializing with family and friends.

 

Richard Whitehouse

Hello I am Richard Whitehouse.

Following 6 years military service I joined the Devon and Cornwall police in 1989.  I served 27 years before I retired in 2015. During my time in the police I served 7 years on the beat in South Devon, before I joined the firearms team and went on to complete 17 years on the Armed response cars. Concurrent to this I became a car instructor and motorcycle instructor. I also served on the VIP escort group. In 2011, I took up a full time position in the force driving school.

December 2015 saw me retire from the police.

3 months later I joined SWAST as a full time driver trainer. Best job I ever had!

I’m here for you.

 

 

Andrew (Sammy) Squirrell

Sammy joined SWASFT December of 2017 as a Driver Training Officer. Previous to this he completed 30 years service with Devon and Cornwall Police, qualifying as a Class One Police Driving Instructor and delivered Standard Response and Advanced Tactical Pursuit and Containment (TPAC), and VIP Escort group driving courses.

Having carried out a number of roles, including Response, Traffic, Lost Person Search Manager and Search Team, he returned to the Force Driving School for the last four years of his service.

 

Steve Binding

I am a retired police driving instructor having served 30 years in Devon & Cornwall Police. Most of my police career was spent as a traffic patrol officer and my last 10 years as a full time police driving instructor. I retired from the police in 2018 and became a Driving Training Officer with SWAST in  April 2020.

 

Grant Sleight