After four years of service Lady Mary Holborow has retired from chairing the board of trustees at Cornwall Air Ambulance Trust.

Lady Mary took over the chairmanship of the board in 2012, shortly after retiring from her position as Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall, a role she held for 17 years. During this time Lady Mary led a dynamic board, overseeing the strategic direction of the trust, including the introduction of new helicopters and night vision imaging systems. New developments also include the addition of critical care cars and the development of critical care paramedics supported by doctors.

Lady Mary cut the turf for the new operations headquarters in 2011 and the new fundraising building opened last April is named after Lady Mary in recognition of her service to the charity and her special enthusiasm for the role of volunteers. She was also instrumental in helping the charity to secure the Duchess of Cornwall as patron in 2010.

Chief executive Paula Martin said: “Lady Mary has given her time so generously to many good causes in Cornwall, and it has been a personal privilege for me to have worked with her as our chairman. She has overseen so many significant moments in the history of the charity over the past four years, and hers will be hard footsteps to follow.”

Lady Mary is currently patron, president or trustee of numerous charities and she has held a number of board positions in the region, particularly in the health and education sectors.

Fellow trustees gathered after the annual general meeting to present a gift engraved with a special message of thanks, as well as a framed selection of pictures taken during some of the most notable moments of her chairmanship.

Lady Mary is to be succeeded as chairman by Cornwall Air Ambulance trustee and local business woman, Sarah Pryce, who said: “Lady Mary has been an inspirational and much loved chairman whose exceptional commitment has made a lasting impact on the whole organisation.

“Hers are very special footsteps to follow in and I am privileged and excited to take on a leadership role in our charity as we enter our 30th year.”