Our Governors page - Banner

Our Governors

Our Council of Governors acts as a link between service users, carers, staff, the general public and the Trust's Board of Directors.

They support the Board of Directors in setting the long-term vision for our organisation, and hold the non-executive directors to account for the actions of the Board. Our Board of Directors has a duty to consult, and listen to the views of, the Council of Governors.

Photo of Jann Oliver

Jann Oliver

Job title Public Governor
About

Originally from Warwickshire, I worked in the NHS for over 38 years, mainly as a nurse but latterly as an adult psychotherapist in mental health. I undertook RMN training at the Maudsley and Bethlem hospitals in 1987. In 1994, with the then consultant, I set up the Personality Disorders Service at the Maudsley Hospital, the Cawley Centre, for people with long-standing difficulties such as depression, anxiety and self-harm, which I ran until 2016 when I took early retirement (this became the Three Boroughs Service in 2017).

I now work for a mental health charity and supervise mental health professionals. A key reason I want to be a governor is to continue to raise awareness of the serious issues surrounding mental health, particularly the shortage of effective treatment options, the lack of understanding on the part of many, and the fact that people are less likely to get to the point of feeling suicidal if they talk about what’s going on in their lives. Evidence shows that most people, especially men, are much less likely to attempt to take their own lives if they have told someone how they feel.

I am an active member of my local Labour Party and in Unison. For me, the Trust represents everything that I believe in, in terms of research, development and excellent practice in mental health care.

Record last modified

Contact your governors

If you have a question for your governors, please email governors@slam.nhs.uk

The Council of Governors is made up of:

  • Appointed members from organisations that the Trust works with
  • People who use the Trust's services elected by our membership
  • Carers of people who use the Trust's services elected by our membership
  • Members of the public elected by our membership
  • Members of staff elected by our membership

The Council's responsibilities include:

  • Appointing the Chair and other non-executive directors
  • Removing, if three quarters of the council of governors decide that it is necessary, the chair or other non-executive directors
  • Approving, by a majority, the appointment of the Chief Executive by the non-executive directors
  • Appointing or removing the Trust's auditor
  • Supporting and engaging with the Trust board
  • Holding the non-executive directors to account for the performance of the Trust Board
  • Representing the interests of the members of the Trust as a whole and the interests of the public
  • Approving 'significant transactions'
  • Deciding whether non-NHS work would significantly impact on the Trust's core role
  • Approving, by an overall majority, an application by the Trust to enter into a merger, acquisition, separation or dissolution
  • Approving amendments to the Trust's constitution

Governors review

The governors review includes information about the role of governors and their activities over the preceding year:
Governors review 2020-21 (PDF)

How to become a governor

Governors are elected to the Council of Governors from the public, service user, carer and staff constituencies. Elected governors serve a three-year term on the Council of Governors. Governors are also appointed by partner organisations. 

If you are interested in becoming a governor, vacancies will be advertised here or you can contact us to find our more via governors@slam.nhs.uk

Global Banner