Luke March, 74, who lives in Great Durnford, has been recognised for his services to healthcare and charitable causes.

Mr March chaired the Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust from 2005 to 2014, completing the maximum tenure of nine years.

His career in healthcare also saw him chair the NHS Integrated Care Partnership for Berkshire West until 2020.

He previously chaired the Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases NHS Foundation Trust until March 2015. 

Mr March later served as lead governor of the South Western Ambulance Trust. His term in that role ended in February 2025.

Outside of healthcare, he was chairman of the National Churches Trust until 2022. He is now the organisation’s vice-president.

He used to be a lay canon on the Chapter of Salisbury Cathedral and has, for two years, chaired the Friends of Salisbury Cathedral.

He is one of four city locals included in the 2025 King’s Birthday Honours.

Luke March was given an OBE in the 2025 King’s Birthday Honours, announced on June 13 (Image: Luke March)

“I am astonished and humbled by this honour,” Mr March said.

“However, the real heroes of my life are all those working in healthcare who I have met and admired incessantly over almost 40 years.

“They have constantly inspired me to be involved over all these years.

“My experience has taken me through district general hospitals in Hampshire and our great hospital here in Salisbury with its Stars Appeal, to one of the largest teaching hospitals in the City of London, to community care in Hampshire and the East End of London.

“My final trip has been as lead governor of the South Western Ambulance Trust over recent years whose remarkable ambulance crews will always remain in my memory.

“A further remarkable group are all those who volunteer in health and in another passion of mine the church heritage sector including their community engagement.

“Especially, I think of all those who tirelessly look after our churches across Wiltshire and beyond, not forgetting of course our great cathedral.

“It has been a privilege to serve them all, and throughout all of this, choral music and the outdoors with our dogs keep me motivated, as they have from the very beginning.”

Mr March also chairs the Building Societies Trust and is a trustee of the Wessex Medical Trust. He is also Deputy Lieutenant of Wiltshire.