Reflections from our Lead Governor Kathy Elliott for 2024/25

Our Lead Governor Kathy Elliott, recently spoke at our Annual Members’ Meeting and reflected on her highlights for 2024/25.

Read a summarised version of her speech below.

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As I look back on the past year, I want to start by saying a heartfelt thank you to our Governors and everyone who has supported them. Your contributions have been vital in strengthening the governance and accountability of our Trust.

Being a Governor is a unique role within the NHS – it’s voluntary, and at its heart, it’s about holding the board to account. For me, that means asking the questions that matter to the public and adding an important layer of scrutiny to the work we do.

Highlights from the year

Some of the highlights for me include:

• Service visits with non-executive directors, giving me first-hand insight into our services.
• Observing board committees, which has deepened my understanding of how Non-Executive Directors scrutinise and support governance.

I’ve been an observer on the quality and safety committee, chaired by Claire Johnson. Over the year, the committee has matured – challenging, supporting, and learning together – with measurable improvements for patients and students.

I’ve also valued opportunities for Governor development, through informal Q&A sessions and joint workshops with non-executive directors, building stronger relationships and listening to each other.

Navigating change

This year wasn’t just about improvement – it was about transformation. As we worked toward a merger, I brought my experience and expertise, alongside fellow Governors, to ensure the process is well managed.

As Lead Governor, I’m proud to say I:

• Supported leadership changes through the nominations committee.
• Ensured the board remained fully engaged in the merger process.
• Helped agree priorities and continued to see service improvements despite the challenges.

Looking ahead

My focus now turns to:

• Developing a revised constitution for the merged organisation.
• Maintaining transparency and engagement between Governors and the board.

Finally, thank you to our members, Governors, and staff for sustaining and strengthening the Tavistock and Portman’s work. Together, I look forward to contributing to positive change within the Trust and across the NHS.