Many paths, one goal:
Anthony Newton's journey with WAS

Anthony Newton pauses for a moment and thinks about the many roles he has played in connection with WAS. He has been Export Manager for Central and Eastern Europe at WAS Polska since 2023, although he has felt part of the WAS family for much longer.

Before taking up this position, he had already met his WAS colleagues several times in various positions and at different locations around the world – and each time, everyone agreed that this collaboration was something special. Anthony Newton first got to know WAS in 2012 in the United Arab Emirates, where he was involved in setting up a new ambulance service with National Ambulance.

The project involved introducing a fleet of state-of-the-art ambulances and setting up a WAS service centre in Abu Dhabi to provide nationwide fleet support – a personal milestone for Anthony and the start of his long-standing collaboration with WAS.

After completing the project in the Middle East, Anthony initially returned to his home country, the United Kingdom.

This is where his fascination with emergency services began as a teenager. At the age of just 16, he joined St. John Ambulance and later gained his first practical experience with the Greater Manchester Ambulance Service (which later became the North West Ambulance Service), where he progressed from patient transport and working as a paramedic to becoming a qualified paramedic.

‘The fast-paced, challenging world of emergency services has always inspired me. I felt it was a privilege to help people in their most difficult moments. That's why I am passionate about supporting emergency responders around the world by ensuring they have the best possible conditions for their invaluable work,’ Anthony explains his motivation.

Back in the UK, he was offered another opportunity to do just that in a senior position at the British Red Cross. As National Operations Lead, he managed key NHS (National Health Service) contracts for the ambulance service – a stroke of luck for the WAS team, who were delighted to be working with him again on the expansion of the ambulance fleet.

Anthony Newton, Exportmanager, WAS Polska

Anthony's connection with WAS began over 12 years ago in Abu Dhabi, continued through his work with the British Red Cross, and led to major fleet modernisation projects in Qatar before he joined WAS Polska as Export Manager for Central and Eastern Europe in 2023. Having spent most of his career in capital cities, it was time for him to switch off at the weekend and enjoy greener surroundings. He now lives in the picturesque Masurian Lake District in north-eastern Poland, where he bought a small old farmhouse in the countryside after moving from Qatar.

All good things come in threes

Anthony then moved to the UK to start his own business. He founded a private medical services company, which he successfully grew into a leading provider of pre-hospital private healthcare services as its managing director – until he was struck by wanderlust once again. This time, the WAS team crossed paths with him in Qatar for his third major project. Anthony was now working with Edraq Healthcare Solutions to restructure the Qatar Armed Forces' emergency medical services in preparation for the World Cup, with WAS playing a key role in providing a new fleet of highly specialised ambulances. The collaboration was as pleasant as ever, so everything was business as usual – until a situation arose that has since become something of a founding myth.

Anthony recalls: "When I wanted to visit the WAS team at the Arab Health trade fair in Dubai, their stand was about to be overwhelmed by visitors. Being naturally open and communicative, and already familiar with the company and its products, I started greeting customers who were waiting for an official WAS representative. Before I knew it, I was talking to people, explaining the technical features of the vehicles and representing

the WAS brand. The atmosphere was great – people were asking questions, listening attentively and trusting my knowledge as if I were already part of the WAS team."

That moment sealed the future and ultimately paved the way for Anthony's move to WAS Polska on a full-time basis.

Arrival at WAS Polska

With technical knowledge and industry expertise, but above all with a great deal of motivation and enthusiasm, Anthony has shaped his career according to his own ideas. In doing so, he has repeatedly sought to step outside his comfort zone in order to gain valuable life experience – an attitude that inspires not only the WAS team, but also his customers and business partners.

‘As Export Manager for Central and Eastern Europe, I can directly contribute to ensuring that WAS ambulances continue to support medical emergency services worldwide,’ says Anthony, describing his role. He particularly enjoys the variety: "There's no such thing as a typical working day for me, and I'm always right in the thick of things – just the way I like it! I still travel a lot, mainly through Central and Eastern Europe, but I also continue to attend global events such as Arab Health in Dubai. Now, as an official WAS colleague, I am naturally even more committed."