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Council of Governors – statement of persons nominated, October 2021

See which candidates have been nominated for our Council of Governors election.

CandidateConstituencyPolitical PartyFinancial / Other Interest
Dr Juliet SingerPublic – CamdenN/AN/A
Michael Arhin-AcquaahPublic – Rest of LondonN/AN/A
Julian LousadaPublic – Rest of LondonMember of the Labour partyN/A
Michelle MoraisPublic – Rest of LondonN/AN/A
Michael RustinPublic – Rest of LondonMember of the Labour partyTeaching service to the trust, part-time secondment from university
Kenyah NyamechePublic – Rest of England and WalesN/AN/A
Jessica Anglin d’ChristianStaff – Clinical, Academic and SeniorN/AN/A

Read or download a PDF version of the statement of persons nominated.

The contact address for the candidates is: c/o Returning Officer, UK Engage, Image House, 10 Acorn Business Park, Heaton Lane, Stockport SK4 1AS

Timetable for 2021 elections

  • Publication of Notice of Election
    Thursday, 16 September 2021
  • Deadline for Receipt of Nominations
    Monday, 04 October 2021
  • Publication of Statement of Nominations
    Tuesday, 05 October 2021
  • Deadline for Candidate Withdrawals
    Thursday, 07 October 2021
  • Notice of Poll / Issue of Ballot Packs
    Tuesday, 19 October 2021
  • Close of Poll – 5pm
    Thursday, 11 November 2021
  • Declaration of Result
    Friday, 12 November 2021

Why become a Governor?

Message from Mr George Wilkinson, Public Governor Rest of England & Wales and Lead Governor.

Ask any NHS Foundation Trust Governor what the role of a Governor is, and you are likely to get the answer, “We hold the non-executive directors, individually and collectively, to account for the performance of the board of directors, and we represent the interests of members and the public.” That answer is right insofar as it goes. Those are our duties laid down by law. But what does this mean in practice, and why is it so worthwhile being a Governor of the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust?

As Governors at the Tavistock, we are very much involved and valued by the Trust. We don’t make decisions: that is the responsibility of the Board of Directors, but we make sure, whether it is at our quarterly Council of Governors meetings, in Joint Board meetings (once a year the Board and Council meet together), or participating in various internal Trust committees, that our members’ voices are heard and the public view put. In doing this, we play a critical role in ensuring that the Trust remains publicly accountable for its services and we provide an important link between the Trust’s members and the Board of Directors – not just responsible for representing the views of members and partner organisations to the Board, but feeding back information about the Trust and its performance.

The Trust keeps us fully informed and seeks our views as Governors on a whole range of issues that affect the Trust. This past year we have contributed to the debates and discussions around the key challenges that the Trust faces, led on the recruitment of new Non-Executive Directors, been involved in the Trust’s commitment to equity and fairness, and helped formulate the direction of the Trust by our participation in various internal committees.

We come from a wide range of backgrounds, bringing very different skills, experiences and interests, but as Governors we have a common purpose – to do what we can to ensure that the Tavistock thrives and prospers for the benefit of its patients, their families and their carers, and its people. It is a significant responsibility and it isn’t always comfortable. And you shouldn’t necessarily expect it to be, as challenge and support are different sides of the same coin. But it is hugely worthwhile. The Trust’s website puts it very well: “Our Governors are the guardians of our mission and values, and they help us achieve our objectives.”

George Wilkinson
Lead Governor