Our Governors

The statutory duties of the Council of Governors are:

• to hold the Trust's non-executive directors individually and collectively to account for the performance of the Board of Directors.
• to represent the interests of the members of the trust as a whole and the interests of the public.
• to appoint the Chair and other non-executive directors and decide their pay and conditions; to approve the appointment of the Chief Executive; to appoint the Auditors and to receive the annual report and accounts.

Southampton Constituency 

Stephanie Angell - 
I have two passions - supporting people and ensuring those who care for and support others are effective, congruent and accountable. I have worked within the health sector for over 20 years, either delivering and managing health services or performance managing others. I became a Governor to share my knowledge and experience, but also to be a voice for others.

Paul Lewzey - It’s important to talk with people who use our services and the people close to them. We need to talk widely in our communities, including with faith groups, voluntary groups and businesses. If you have a mental health issue or a learning disability, stigma and discrimination can affect you seriously.

Paul Kenny -  I decided to become a governor on this trust because I believe mental health is an important issue. Through my previous experience as a housing officer/community worker and being a member of local government for many years, I have been involved with many people who have suffered with mental health issues and need support in fulfilling their roles in society. I was previously a public governor on the Mental Health Trust in Lincolnshire and look forward to being an active member on the trust.

South West Hampshire Constituency

Josie Metcher -  
I wanted to become a Public Governor so that I could make a difference and also glimpse into the workings of a Foundation Trust. The NHS is always troubled by bad press but there is a real need for it and I feel passionately that everyone should have good quality care at point of need.

Scottie Gregory – 
I became a Governor of Southern Health because I looked after a wonderful man with bipolar disorder for 23 years through 26 breakdowns. I knew then that patient care needed to improve at Southern Health and I campaigned for this to happen from 2014 to 2019 until I had to undergo neck surgery so had to put Southern Health on the back burner. I know that in the meantime there have been many improvements but it would be great to help the Trust achieve that second mile and become “Outstanding”.

I hope that some of my experience of the last eight years as a Governor at Dorset Healthcare might be put to some use. Just before I became a Governor, Dorset Healthcare had been put into Special Measures but over the years it achieved “Outstanding”. It was having the right people in the right roles on the Board, enabling the staff to shine and feel motivated and valued. I feel that I contributed in a small way by my efforts on the Appointments Committee to select the best Non-Executive Directors.

I have lived in the New Forest in recent times for 40 years although I spent much of my childhood here as my grandmother and great aunt lived at Pennington. I was on Burley Parish Council for over 20 years and on the New Forest District Council’s Standards and Audit Committee for eight years. My late husband was a physician. I have one daughter and two gorgeous granddaughters. From time to time, I write wine articles online for “The Secret Sommelier “.   I am only too happy to be contacted, if you feel that I might be of some help, either by email or on my mobile phone. Please leave your phone number, if I am in a meeting and I shall get back to you as soon as I can.   

Stephanie Stinton –
When I saw the opportunity to apply to become a public governor it has finally given me a chance to try and make a difference and to be the voice I never knew I needed. The voice I didn’t have myself in the past, but now I have found more of, I hope I can use it to help people like my younger self who don’t have the right words to say, or know of where to use them.

I understand now that it is so important and effective to have a voice for people to hear, and I want to now use mine within this new role to make the biggest impact possible.

North Hampshire Constituency

Venus Madden – 
I wanted to become a Governor because I love interacting with others and listening to their views. I am an Occupational Therapist by background and am currently working in a high secure hospital. I believe for any health service to move forward, the Trust needs to engage, empower and enable the public to share their views and experiences of its services.

Sarah Pearson – 
I applied to be a Public Governor for the North Hampshire Constituency to be the voice, to be on the front to listen, understand and support our 'patients', families and teams to implement changes, to have access to information, tools and services needed to create the best care. I want to be visible as much as possible in these difficult times.

John Lay -  
I have 20 years private and 28 years of public sector working experience, including as a Senior Manager, Director, Chartered Accountant and Chartered IT Practitioner. I am a local Councillor, a Pension Trustee and a Director of a £0.5 billion company.
I have extensive consultation experience, both informal and formal market research. I am a passionate supporter of the NHS and am keen to do all I can to ensure the services of the Trust are protected and maintained. 

South East Hampshire Constituency

Suzanne Pepper – 
I became a Governor to ensure transparency in the services that will be delivered to the highest of standards with patient needs in the forefront of everyone’s mind constantly. I will act as a critical friend and I have no issue speaking truth to power. I will investigate all issues and believe in delivering praise and encouragement as well as voicing concerns.

Vacancies -  We are currently running elections for these two vacant seats,  if you interested in standing, please visit the nomination site or contact Corporate.governance@southernhealth.nhs.uk 

Rest of England

Michael North - 
NHS Foundation Trusts are built on the founding principle of local accountability and, in order to ensure that this is achieved, a strong and effective working relationship between our Trust, it’s dedicated staff, it’s governors and the community it serves is essential. As a Public Governor I am pleased, and indeed honoured to be part of this.
 

The staff constituency is divided into four classes based on the geographical boundaries within which the Trust operates, these are; North Hampshire, Southampton, South West Hampshire, and South East Hampshire.

South West Hampshire
Sarah Reed – 
I applied to become a staff governor because I recognise the enormous contribution our staff make to delivering excellent patient centred care. I like to think I am a compassionate person who is approachable; I want to help and support people to be their very best. I am a good listener and communicator, recognising that these skills are essential to delivering excellent healthcare.

North Hampshire
Laura Nation - 
I have previously held a volunteer position with Southern Health. I am a psychological therapist with the Southern Health and am eager to ensure that as a trust we continue to strive to provide the highest standards of treatment and support for both patients and staff. I am delighted to support the trust to fulfil its objectives during this unprecedented time and believe that partnership and integration are key.

Southampton
Vacancy

South East Hampshire
Ingrid Mead - I have been a qualified nurse for almost 30 years with most of that spent in the community. I am dedicated to improving outcomes for our service users and ensuring that our staff feel listened to as well as connected with our strategic vision.  I hope that I will be able to act as a conduit, ensuring positive communication between the Board, our service users and staff.

We have five Appointed Governors who are nominated by our partner organisations, (local authorities, commissioners, academic and voluntary sector). They bring expert insights which have been invaluable.

Prof David Baldwin - 
University of Southampton
As an Appointed Governor I work with the Trust and the University to further collaborative relationships between the two organisations, so helping to improve the expertise and resourcefulness of our clinical services to the benefit of patients, families and staff.

Adrian Thorne, Lead Governor - 
Carers Together
I was nominated by my fellow Governors in July 2020 to be the Lead Governor. I have a particular interest / experiences in how Carers can be supported by the Trust so that patients and service users can receive the services that they require. 

Helen Callen
Age Concern Hampshire
Age Concern Hampshire is an independent registered charity working to support the ageing journey for older people in the county. As appointed Governor representing our charity, I am particularly interested in fostering collaborative partnership working and how older people, particularly those with dementia are supported by the trust.

Libby Garrett
Unloc
I am currently a member of the Southern Health Youth Board.  As well as this, I work as a lifeguard and am involved in voluntary work in both care homes and with the charity Go LD.  Currently I am a student studying Biology, Chemistry and Religious Studies at A-Level.  I wanted to become a Governor as I am hoping to pursue a career in the NHS and am interested in the inner workings of the Trust, as well as advocating for the views and opinions of my younger peers.

Vacancy
Southampton City Council

Vacancy
Hampshire County Council

Lillie Ewins
Associate Member for Young People
I believe that our NHS is the backbone of our society and as such it is fundamental to all of us and I welcome the opportunity to be involved in its continuing evolution through my role as an Associate Member for young people. My position within the Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust offers me the opportunity to give something back to the organisation that has supported me from birth.

My passion is psychology and I hope to follow a career within the field of clinical psychology in the NHS. I’m also passionate about my community, and have been heavily involved with a local environmental action group since its inception. I’m attentive, always going the extra mile and always questioning why. But more than anything, I’m an advocate for change, and look forward to supporting the Board of Governors in any way I can.

Appointment Committee - The Council of Governors has established an Appointment Committee to recommend the appointment of the Chair and Non-Executive Directors to the Council of Governors, including recommendations on remuneration. 

Appointment Committee Terms of Reference

Agenda Planning Group - The Council of Governors has established this Group to input into the agendas for the Council of Governor meetings, Governor Development Sessions and the Governor Induction programme. 

Agenda Planning Group Terms of Reference

• 2021 - 2022 Council of Governors' Annual Report

Governor Elections 

We are not currently running elections, but if you are interested in hearing about future opportunities, please contact Corporate.governance@southernhealth.nhs.uk.

Governor Election Results

Please see the results below from our most recent Governor Elections:

• March 2023
• June 2023