The role of Governor
The role of a Governor is to provide a link between the local community and the Board of Directors. They represent the interests of members of the Trust as a whole, the interests of the public and those of our partner organisations. They contribute to the future direction of our Trust, and hold the Non-Executive Directors to account for the performance of the Board of Directors. Governors do not investigate individual concerns or complaints but will provide information to their members or the public on the correct procedures to be followed.
Governors' responsibilities also include:
- Representing the interests of their constituency membership and the general public, seeking views of members and the public on any key developments and news from the Trust.
- Appointing the Trust Chair and Non-Executive Directors and approving the appointment of the Chief Executive when vacancies arise.
- Appointing or removing the Trust's Auditors
- Receiving and approving the Trusts's Annual Report and Accounts
- Helping to recruit new members to the Trust
Foundation Trust membership
In order to be a Governor you need to be a member of the Trust.
One of the guiding principles of being a foundation trust is that we are accountable to local people. To help with this, we invite people from the community to become members of Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust. It’s free and open to anyone over the age of 16 years.
Being a member gives you the chance to influence how we develop health services locally, as well as decisions about our future direction. Visit our Membership page for more information and how to become a member.
About the Council of Governors
The Council of Governors meets every three months. All reasonable expenses incurred as a result of carrying out Council duties (such as travel expenses) are reimbursed by the Trust, although there is no salary associated with the post of Governor. The public members of the Governors have a real opportunity to ensure that Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust continues in the 21st century as a Trust of which the people of Tameside and Glossop can be proud, the NHS Trust of choice for local people.
The Council of Governors is made up of Public governors, Staff governors and Appointed governors. Public governors are elected by the members of the public constituency which they represent, staff governors are elected by their staff constituency. Appointed governors are nominated by partnership organisations. Public Governor elections are held when there are vacancies on the Council of Governors and are organised by an independent election provider on behalf of the Trust to ensure the process is fair and open.
Below contains details of the currently elected Council of Governors. The Governors contact details is via Membership Office on 0161 922 6005. There should be 29 Governors; 15 public, 7 partnership and 7 staff.
Ashton
Elected Member: Champak Mistry
Date elected: 2 February 2022
Office expires: June 2026
My name is Champak Mistry. I am a retired CNC programming engineer, I worked up from an apprentice to managing occupational safety and health (IOSH). I have lived in Tameside for over 40 years I am married with two daughters and one son. My eldest daughter is head of customer services for Barking and Dagenham Council. My Daughter works as a homeless officer in Northamptonshire. My son is a domiciliary optometrist and my daughter in law is a GP in Derbyshire. I am heavy involved with the local Indian association, I work hard to raise awareness and educate members to improve integration and well being within the community. As an elected member I will represent the views of people whom struggle to share their views due to language barriers. I endeavour to improve services to meet the needs of our community.
Elected Member: Muni Coverley
Elected Member: Mike Ramsden
Elected Member: Jeff Harrison
Glossop
Elected Member: Dr Lesley Surman (Lead Governor)
Date elected: 16 December 2016
Office expires: December 2025
My approach to life is fundamentally practical and humanitarian. I worked within clinical and educational health care setting all my working life attaining professional qualifications, a Bachelors, Masters and Doctorate degree (all health care related) and lots of experience, knowledge and understanding.
Since retiring in 2011 I have become increasingly involved in promoting the patient/public voice and the advocating for the benefits of patient/public participation, with a particular focus on the Glossopdale Neighbourhood
I am Chair of the Glossopdale Patient Neighbourhood Group (GPNG) and the Tameside and Glossop Patient Network (PN); here we work closely with T&G ICFT and other commissioning/delivery groups to inform and keep central the public interests.
Elected Member: Nicola Bruce
Gordon and Denton
Elected Member: Mike Walker
Date elected: 2 February 2022
Office expires: June 2027
I am Mike Walker and having lived in Denton for 60 years I and am honoured to now represent my town as a Governor at Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust. The appointment is the latest chapter of a lifetime of community support that includes over thirty years police service, retiring as an Inspector at Tameside. Followed by charity fundraising for the NSPCC, The David Lewis Epilepsy Centre at Alderley and as Fundraising Manager at The Beechwood Cancer Care Centre in Stockport. I have been Chairman of my local residents association and a Governor at Corrie County Primary School. I look forward to another challenge and to be supported by my wife Irene, my children Michelle and her husband Dave, Alan his wife Kim and my grandchildren Hollie, Adam and Jack.
Elected Member: Vacant
Stalybridge and Hyde
Elected member: Neil Phillips
Date elected: 2 February 2022
Office expires: June 2027
I have been a parent governor at a primary school in Mossley. I have also been on several committees and been a chair at different organisations throughout my working life. I have a wide knowledge of industry and insurance.
I am a member of the Institute of Plant Engineers, Society of Operating Engineers and am an Incorporated Engineer. I am also registered for magnetic particle inspections for none destructive testing. Formerly I have worked as an assistant works engineer and I have been an engineer surveyor for many years.
I have been self-employed since retirement, working on two days a week on average.
I was born in Hyde and have lived in Mossley for almost 50 years. I am married to Margaret and we enjoy travel, walking, gardening and DIY.
Elected Member: Richard Umpleby (Deputy Lead Governor)
Date elected: 19 October 2020
Office expires: June 2026
I spent many years as a health care worker for the health sector. I have worked in learning disabilities, mental health and general health with many years over in Accident and Emergency. I have seen the NHS over many years from both a health worker side and as a patient and family member. I have read law at university and now want to give my time to volunteering for the public. I volunteer for a HIV charity, The National Autistic Society as a tribunal volunteer and as a local school governor.
Elected Member: Nigel Lenegan
Elected Member: William Moss
Date re-elected: 19 October 2020
Office expires: June 2027
Rest of England and Wales
Elected Member: Vacant
Appointed Partnership Members
Organisation: Tameside College
Name: Nicola Welland
Organisation: Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council
Name: Cllr Eleanor Willis
Organisation: High Peak Borough Council
Name: Cllr Anthony McKeown
Organisation: Healthwatch
Name: Vacant
Elected Staff Members
Name: Nicola Withington
Office expires: June 2027
I have worked for the Trust in Corporate Services for three and a half years in the human resources and education and training departments. I feel strongly that we are a progressive Trust with values and behaviours that reflect my moral standards and a culture that recognises the value of staff members and the contribution they make to the organisation.
After 14 years working in a communications environment, I have spent the last 20 years working in the local government and education sectors and have been a Trade Union Representative and Health and Safety Representative for five years. I have always worked in environments where I have been dealing with people from all walks of life and varied responsibilities. I feel that I can provide a voice for my colleagues and include perspective of a local service user. As a local resident, who was born at Tameside Hospital and a current service user of the Trust, I am invested in making sure that the Trust operates in the best possible way and provides patients and relatives with the high quality care that they deserve.
Name: Raja Swaminathan
Office expires: June 2026
I have frontline experience in the NHS surgical constituency, as a junior trainee doctor to being a consultant, spanning more than 20 years. I bring my experience in constructive dialogue, clinical governance, teaching, training and education. As a consultant orthopedic surgeon for more than 10 years, I have knowledge and experience of the challenges faced by the frontline staff in providing gold standard patient centered care.
I believe that with openness, transparency and collaborative working, work force engagement could be improved further. I am enthusiastic to bring about change in the work place environment, in an evolving 21st century NHS, with changing expectations from patients and regulatory bodies. I am proud to represent the surgical workforce in the council and help in adherence to the standards set by the NHS constitution.
Name: Melanie Lamb
Office expires: June 2027
I have worked in the education, training and develop department for two and a half years. Over the years I have had a range of employment in the NHS in roles, including Staff Nurse, Addiction Recovery Worker and Healthcare Support Worker, so have first hand experience of some of the challenges staff can face on a daily basis.
I am passionate about staff welfare and equal opportunities, in particular with regard to staff development and access to training opportunities such as apprenticeships as per my current role as Vocational Development Co-ordinator.
I believe in the importance of staff having a voice and access to clear channels of communication with senior management, and to have an input around what is a priority for not only themselves but how they want to shape the focus of the Trust and its values.
Name: Myles Kitchener
Office expires: June 2026
I have worked for the Trust in the Estates & Facilities division for the past three years, heading up the catering and retail department, and have a plethora of catering experience in the public and commercial sector over the past 35 years.
I am both enthusiastic and proud to be nominated as a non-clinical staff governor, being able to raise the contribution and profile of all staff, and promoting positive staff wellbeing, with an aim to achieve improved outcomes and high-quality effective services.
I will ensure the Trust maintains a clear vision, a transparent approach and a focused development strategy, acting as a ‘critical friend’ and willing to challenge where necessary.
Elected Member: Terry Bowker
Name: Noreen Shahzad
Dates for 2024
- Thursday 14th March at 3:30pm
- Thursday 13th June at 5:00pm
- Wednesday 11th September at 5:30pm
- Wednesday 11th December at 3:30pm
Location:
Meetings are currently taking place in Werneth House unless otherwise advised. For further information, please contact Janice Douglas, Corporate Governance Manager by emailing: Janice.douglas@tgh.nhs.uk
Annual Members' Meeting 2024
- Thursday 26th September at 5:00pm
