Leadership Team
Russell Clarke
(MHSc)
Director
Clinical Operations
Russell brings over 40 years of experience in healthcare across both military and civilian sectors. He is recognised as a senior clinical leader in aeromedical medicine, with a career spanning global operations from Antarctica to the United States.
During his decades of service with the New Zealand Defence Force, Russell led aeromedical deployments and missions, aeromedical projects, developed fixed- and rotary-wing training programmes, and oversaw the design of aircraft medical platforms. His leadership in aeromedical systems and mission planning strengthened the New Zealand Defence Force’s aeromedical capability and contributed to the development of best practice across the sector.
As a Senior Lecturer for the University of Otago’s postgraduate aeromedical programme, Russell plays an active role in training the next generation of retrieval clinicians. This combination of academic and operational expertise is embedded within Orion Aeromedical’s clinical standards, ensuring every mission reflects the highest levels of safety, professionalism, and care.
Mat Griffin
(MHPrac)
Director
Operations & Development
Mat has an extensive background in paramedicine and aeromedical operations across New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the Middle East, and Australia. His aeromedical work began with the Royal New Zealand Air Force as part of the fixed-wing AME team and has since included both fixed-wing and rescue helicopter missions.
He has held senior clinical and leadership roles across emergency response, primary healthcare, and operational development. This includes establishing governance systems, leading multidisciplinary clinical teams, and building partnerships that support safe and effective medical operations. His experience in diverse, high-acuity environments provides Orion Aeromedical with strong operational oversight and strategic direction.
Mat focuses on quality systems, clinical governance, professional standards, and workforce wellbeing, ensuring Orion Aeromedical delivers safe, reliable, and clinically excellent repatriation services.
John Ambler
Director of Aviation
John's entry into the aeromedical sector began in 1989 with the Philips Search and Rescue Trust, where he served as Chief Pilot (Fixed Wing), developing expertise in mission-critical and time-sensitive operations. He later spent 22 years based in Hong Kong as a Senior Captain operating the Boeing 747 across long-haul international routes, gaining extensive experience in complex, global aviation environments.
Since transitioning into corporate aviation in 2016, John has focused on private and specialised operations, including aeromedical and long-range charter flying. His career reflects a unique blend of commercial airline discipline, operational leadership, and adaptable, client-focused aviation delivery.
As Director of Aviation, John brings comprehensive oversight of flight operations, safety, and aircraft capability, ensuring reliable, efficient, and seamless aviation support across a wide range of aeromedical missions.
Dr Pras Mao
(MBChB, FCICM, FACEM)
Medical Director
Pras is a specialist consultant in intensive care, emergency medicine, paediatric intensive care and paediatric emergency medicine. He has also completed post-fellowship training in child health, medical toxicology and aeromedicine.
Pras has worked in major quaternary hospitals throughout New Zealand, and in past roles has been responsible for coordinating and supervising both adult and paediatric retrieval missions across the country. He has a strong interest in human factors and creating systems and clinical tools to make work more intuitive and safe.
In his role with Orion Aeromedical, Pras provides clinical leadership grounded in human factors and system design, contributing to the development of intuitive, resilient, and safety-focused aeromedical services.