Captivep, I fully understand your logic (you may have guessed, I am an AA charity trustee with a one charity/two helicopter operation), but in our many discussions internally and with neighbouring charities at trustee level, we have - thus far - come to the conclusion that local identity is more easily sustained by maintaining local(ish) focus of the operational team. Our overhead bite is carefully assessed on a monthly basis and represents a small proportion of outgoings.
As for TAAS, whilst it would be delightful if Mr.Williamson was undertaking his little 'bit on the side' without the knowledge of his trustees. However, I suspect that he has used his
PR skills to good effect, telling them why no other company could possibly do a better job than him.