Council of Governors

Our Council of Governors is the voice of the people we serve, and it helps set our priorities and shape our services, based on our members’ views.

For example, governors approve the appointment of our Chief Executive (CEO), and they decide on the salary paid to the Chair and other non-executive directors on the board of directors. Similar to other governorship positions such as school governors, NHS foundation trust governors are unpaid.

You need to be a member of the Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust in order to be considered for election as a governor. Members are sent regular updates about how to nominate themselves for elections to governor positions – these elections take place every year.

Non-urgent advice: What is a governor?

A foundation trust governor is a member of the Trust who has been elected by their fellow members to sit on the Council of Governors. Different governors represent the voice of the public, patients, carers and staff members from different geographical areas: see our Governors page for more information. Governors are usually elected for three years.

As well as governors directly elected by our trust members, we also have governors who are appointed by partner and stakeholder organisations (such as local mental health charities and other local health organisations) that we work closely with. These governors also usually service for no more than three years.

What does a governor do?

As a foundation trust, our governors play a very important role in how we are run. By law, the governors:

  • appoint, remove and decide terms of office (including remuneration) of the Chair and other Non-Executive Directors
  • approve the appointment of the Chief Executive (CEO)
  • appoint or remove the Trust Auditors
  • review the annual accounts, Auditor’s Report and Annual Report and hold an Annual General Meeting
  • present views on the Board of Directors’ future plans.

Governors also:

  • represent the interests and views of our Trust Members in their constituency
  • play an ambassadorial role, representing the interests of the Trust and adhering to its values
  • assist with Member recruitment
  • contribute content for our Member communications, surveys and consultations
  • attend Member meetings, events and talks
  • attend local events on behalf of the Trust
  • provide an important link with the local community.

Read more about the guides and duties of NHS foundation trust governors on the gov.uk website.

Our meetings

The Council of Governors meet in public, and anyone is welcome to attend to observe the meeting. Details of the meetings, including agendas, minutes and reports may be found on our council papers page.

Annual General Meeting

The Trust’s Annual Members’ and General Meeting (AGM) is held once a year and focuses on the presentation to our Governors of the formal annual report and statutory accounts, with the opportunity for governors, members and others to ask questions. See our Annual Members’ and General Meeting page for more information.

Find out more

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Page last reviewed: 21 October, 2022