Our Governors
Our Council of Governors is responsible for representing members’ interests. Governors are elected by Foundation Trust members or one of our partnership organisations. They act as a key link between members and the Trust’s Board of Directors.
One of the main roles of a governor is to represent the voice of the people in their constituency. However, governors also have a number of statutory duties which were recently amended by the Health and Social Care Act 2012. There are 34 governor seats in total and their main duties are to;
- Hold non-executive directors (NEDs) individually and collectively to account for the performance of the Board.
- Represent the interests of the members of the Trust as a whole and the interests of the public.
- Appoint and, if necessary, remove the chairman and non-executive directors.
- Review the remuneration and allowances of the chairman and non-executive directors.
- Approve the appointment of the chief executive (the Council of Governors does not appoint the chief executive).
- Receive the Trust’s Annual Report and Accounts and the Auditor’s Report.
- Appoint or remove the Trust’s auditors.
- Approve significant transactions (mergers/acquisitions).
- Approve any amendments to the Trust’s constitution.
Governors’ views are also invited in respect of the Trust’s business plans for the coming years. Therefore, governors play a vital role in influencing and shaping the future plans of the Trust.