Governors have an important role in helping to make our NHS Foundation Trust publicly accountable for its services. Trust Governors:
- Hold the Non-Executive Directors to account for the performance of the Board
- Represent the interests of members and the public
- Appoint (and where appropriate remove) the Chair, Non-Executive Directors and the Trust’s Auditor
- Approve (or not) any new appointments of the Chief Executive
- Receive the Trust’s annual accounts, any auditor report on them, and the annual report at four Council of Governor meetings.
Governors bring valuable perspectives and contributions to our activities, and they are the voices of our members and local communities.
Governor election results 2025
The 2025 Governor Election Campaign has concluded with the appointment of seven new representatives, reflecting our ongoing commitment to inclusive leadership and community engagement.
We are pleased to announce the following individuals in their new roles:
- Jack Melling – Brighton & Hove Division Clinical Staff Governor
- Claire Tredgett – East Sussex Division Clinical Staff Governor
- Luke Myatt – West Sussex Division Clinical Staff Governor
- Jess Alexander – Specialist Division Clinical Staff Governor
- Rob Jackson – West Sussex Public Governor (re-elected)
- Sally Smith – West Sussex Public Governor
- Frederick Smith – East Sussex Public Governor
These appointments are a testament to the diverse perspectives and expertise that our governors bring to the Trust. Their involvement will support our efforts to enhance patient care, foster community partnerships, and contribute to the development of mental health, learning disability, and neurodevelopmental services across Sussex.
We extend our gratitude to all who participated in the election process and look forward to the contributions of our new governors in shaping the future of our services.
To learn more about our governors, head on over to our Council of Governors Page.
Governor elections 2026
Being a governor is an exciting opportunity to influence decision-making and contribute to the direction of our Trust. Governors have a key role in holding the Non-Executive Directors to account on the performance of the Board and providing valuable feedback on the services we provide.
Whether you are passionate about healthcare, want to represent your community, or are interested in being part of a team that drives positive change, we invite you to consider standing for election as a governor in our next round of elections.
- Influence Strategic Direction: Governors help shape the future of their NHS Foundation Trust by contributing to the annual priorities
- Voice for the Community: They represent the views of service users, carers, staff, and the public, ensuring the trust reflects the needs of its community.
- Improved Transparency and Accountability: Governors act as a check on the trust’s performance, promoting openness and good governance.
- Develop New Skills: The role offers opportunities to gain experience in leadership, governance, and healthcare policy.
- Make a Meaningful Impact: It provides a chance to contribute to improving local healthcare services and patient outcomes
Governors do not need to have any formal skills or qualifications to become a governor, just a passion for mental health, learning disabilities services and neurodevelopmental care. We will provide all the help, training and support needed to carry out the role.
Although being a governor is flexible and our Council of Governors is held as a hybrid meeting (online and in person) it is important to know that a governor will need to commit to fulfilling the role. The commitments include:
- One to two days a month of constituency engagement
- Four Council meetings a year (Hybrid - held on weekdays)
- Communication with members to find out their views and concerns
- Working within our values: Compassionate, Accountable and Optimistic
- Reading and interpreting papers and reports to make informed decisions
- Opportunities to attend development sessions and observe our Board Committees
- Appointment/Election for 3 years - which can be re-elected for a total of 9 years
To find out more about the role and what’s involved in becoming a Governor please see our guide HERE
To become a governor, you will need to be a member of Sussex Partnership. Find out how to become a member.
Once you have become a member, please keep an eye on your inbox (and potentially your junk folder) for information about how to stand in the governor elections.
Webinar: Make a Difference: Become a governor at Sussex Partnership
Replay our recent webinar to learn more about the important role of governors at Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.
We were pleased to welcome Sean Duggan, Chair of the Trust, who shared insights into the vital contribution governors make in shaping our services, influencing key decisions, and representing the voices of our members.
This recorded session is a great opportunity to find out how you can get involved and help drive positive change in your local NHS. It concludes with an open Q&A session, where Sean answered questions about what becoming a governor could mean for you.