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About the Council of Governors

The Council of Governors plays an important role in the successful running of the Trust.

Governors are responsible for ensuring that our services and overall direction relate to the needs of the local communities that we serve.

Our 28 governors:

  • hold the non-executive directors individually and collectively to account for the performance of the board of directors
  • represent the interests of the membership of the Trust and the interests of the public
  • comply with the NHS Foundation Trust Code of Governance

Get in touch

If you are interested in becoming a member or a governor, email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Recruiting a new Council of Governors

View our short animation below outlining the changes we made to the composition of the Council of Governors:

Video transcript

In 2019 the council of governors and board of directors of Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust identified the need to increase the diversity of the council ensuring that it was more representative of the communities it serves. 

The first step was to agree to increase the council from 22 to 28 members. The extra places allowing for four new appointed and two new public governors. The appointed positions ensured children, young people, their families and volunteers would all have a voice being represented within the council. Interviews took place to get the best people for the new roles.

For the public governor elections, a communication campaign was implemented using social media, blogs, press releases, posters and events to reach more people in the community. The result was a well-contested election and the election process also recruited new members to the Trust. 

The new council is working more effectively and is receiving a wider and more diverse contribution and is now supporting the delivery of the Trust's membership engagement strategy.

Our Council of Governors

Public Governors (15)
  • Adur (1 seat): Vacancy
  • Arun (2 seats): James Roberts and Vacancy
  • Brighton and Hove (3 seats): Stella Benson, Tanya Petherick and Victor Mac Fadden (Deputy Lead Governor)
  • Chichester (2 seats): Craig Gershater and Alan Sutton (Lead Governor)
  • Crawley (1 seat): Hazel Hellier
  • High Weald Lewes and Havens (2 seats): Janet Baah and Imogen Makepeace
  • Horsham (2 seats): Lilian Bold and Susan Morton
  • Mid Sussex (1 seat): Jurgen Gainz
  • Worthing (1 seat): Rita Garner
Staff Governors (5)
  • Allied Health Professionals (including Therapists) (1 seat): Jessica Poulton
  • Doctors and dentists (1 seat): Harriet Clompus
  • Nurses and healthcare assistants (2 seats): Ngaire Cox and Shingai Ngwenya
  • Support staff (1seat): Anita Sturdey
Appointed Governors (8)

Trust appointed Governors who represent a specific group:

  • Children and young people (2 seats): Grainne Saunders (Deputy Lead Governor) and Gavin Deeble
  • Volunteers (2 seats): Ann Barlow
Appointed representatives from the organisations with which the Trust has close relationships with:
  • Integrated Care Board (1 seat): Vacancy
  • Higher Education (1 seat): Julie Fryatt
  • Local Authorities - Brighton and Hove City Council (1 seat): Steve Hook
  • Local Authorities - West Sussex County Council (1 seat): Andrew Baldwin
Meet our Council of Governors
View the Register of Governors' interests

Meeting dates and papers

Next meeting

The Annual Members' Meeting will be held on Wednesday 18 September, 2:00pm to 4:45pm at The Barn, Southwick Community Centre, 24 Southwick Street, Southwick BN42 4TE.

This is a public meeting that anyone can attend.

View the agenda

Future meetings

View future meeting details

Wednesday 18 September 2024, 2:00pm to 4:45pm
The Barn, Southwick Community Centre, 24 Southwick Street, Southwick, West Sussex BN42 4TE
Annual Members' meeting

Wednesday 4 December 2024, 2:00pm to 4:15pm
Microsoft Teams

Wednesday 19 March 2025, 2:00pm to 4:15pm
Arundel Suite, Brighton General Hospital/Microsoft Teams
Joint Board of Directors and Council of Governors meeting

If you are interested in attending a future meeting or have any questions that you would like to put forward, please contact our Deputy Trust Secretary by calling 01273 696011 ext. 1520 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Previous meetings

View past meeting details

Wednesday 19 June 2024

  • agenda
  • minutes - coming soon

Wednesday 13 March 2024

Wednesday 6 December 2023

Wednesday 13 September 2023

Wednesday 21 June 2023

Wednesday 15 March 2023

If you would like a copy of minutes from an earlier meeting, please email your request to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Page last reviewed: 25 July 2024