Governors and members

Information on our governors and becoming a member which will give you an opportunity to influence the Trust to help us improve our services.

Meet the Council of Governors

On this page you will find useful information if you are already a governor or thinking of becoming a governor.

Read the declaration of interests made by our Governors (PDF, 108 KB)

Meet our Council of Governors

Barry Jordan

Barry Jordan, Appointed Governor, Cornwall Council

Andrew Howell

Andrew Howell, Elected Governor for the west constituency

(awaiting image)

John Peacock, Governor from the Council of the Isles of Scilly

Ian Jones

Ian Jones, Appointed Governor, Volunteer Cornwall

As an appointed governor, I am the chief executive for a charity called Volunteer Cornwall. This charity works to develop social action and build social capital across Cornwall’s communities. We work to assist individuals to become active citizens, encouraging self-reliance and also to support the most vulnerable members of their community. We also work in collaboration to help in the development and delivery of public services adding value by recruiting and training local volunteers. As an appointed governor I am looking to ensure the Trust engages with local people in an equal and pro-active manner to coproduce the solutions necessary for a resilient future.

Mike Solomon

Mike Solomon, Elected Governor for the east constituency

I am a senior citizen with a partner and 3 children. I personally use some of the NHS departments due to personal health problems. I have 3 health and safety qualifications including 1 for residential and care homes. Studying mainly at Bodmin, I have an NVQ level 3 qualification in mental health (promoting independence) and have worked in such an environment. Until moving to Bodmin, I was for over 25 years involved with Mind, as chair of the Newquay area branch for some 8 years, and as president for a further 6 years. I was directly involved with the daily running of the drop-in centre in Newquay and carried out a large amount of outreach work throughout mid and north Cornwall, liaising frequently with the staff at Bodmin. As the welfare officer of the Lions Club (Newquay), I came into contact with many members of the public having mental health issues, many of which of school age, and some senior citizens. Now with Padstow Lions Club as president, I still have similar encounters with the public and strive to assist them whenever possible.

Paul Ford

Paul Ford, Elected Governor for the east constituency

I am a retired company director having spent most of my working life in the security industry. After retiring my wife and I lived in Wiltshire where much of my time was spent as a trustee and volunteer with Wiltshire’s Air Ambulance. Since moving to Cornwall 6 years ago, I have carried on with my volunteering work, this time with Cornwall Air Ambulance where I spend a lot of time in the community talking about the life saving work they do. I was elected in 2016 to represent the east of Cornwall as a Governor for the Trust. It's a role that I thoroughly enjoy and I am really happy that I have recently been re-elected for a further 3 years. I am also an active member of the Launceston Medical Centre’s patient participation group. I may be new to the NHS but am very interested in finding out how it works, especially how new technology can help the NHS and more importantly the people who use the services. I really enjoy engaging with the local community and listening to their stories and passing on what I have learned, thus fulfilling the role of Governor as a conduit from the patient, carers and the public to the Board of Directors at the Trust.

Christine Smith

Christine Smith, Elected Governor for the east constituency

Nigel Walker Governor

Nigel Walker, Elected Governor for the west constituency

I have been a Trust governor since 2018 and I am keen to continue putting the experience I have gained to good use. An essential role of governors is to ensure your voices are heard. Your views are the ones that matter most.

I will advocate for a “just culture”, requiring and encouraging everyone to speak up without fear, whether they are staff or patients. This is important for me because the exposure of institutional abuse at Budock Hospital occurred when I was the council executive member for adult care. The abuse flourished because no one spoke up. In addition, my role as a volunteer advisor to Disability Cornwall and Cornwall People First, has enhanced my ability to advocate for many of Cornwall’s most vulnerable patients and their families. I am also a member of my local surgery’s patient participation group, as well as being a trustee of 2 dynamic local charities, Trelya and Cymaz Music. It would be both an honour and a pleasure to continue supporting you across a fully joined-up and more local NHS in Cornwall for the next 3 years. I hope you will feel able to support me in this role.

Mark Oliver

Mark Oliver, Elected Governor for other constituencies

Hannah Snelling

Hannah Snelling, Elected Governor for the east constituency

I would like to stand as a governor for the Trust to be able to bring forth skills and knowledge I have acquired over the last few years. I completed a foundation degree in 2017 in health and nutrition and completed my degree in 2019 in human behavioural studies with first class honours. Studying a degree has provided me with the skills of research, critical analysis, weighing up the advantages and disadvantages of different ideas and presenting information in clear and coherent formats.

I was a volunteer with the Trust from February to June 2020 and have been employed by the trust since June 2020 as a flexi health care assistant. An advantage of being a flexi worker is gaining experience of the various wards, from general health, to acute mental health and intensive psychiatric inpatients. This has enabled me to gain a diverse insight into how the different wards function and the skills to adapt within these different contexts.

Outside of work I enjoy reading, particularly books around social sciences, cold water swimming, hiking and yoga.

Zoe Underwood

Zoe Underwood, Elected Governor for the west constituency

I am 24 years old and grew up in Falmouth. With a passion for mental health care and the importance of breaking down stigma, I became a Trust member whilst at school. I then studied medical science at the University of Exeter, spending my placement year and dissertation focusing on genetics of psychiatric disease and autism spectrum disorder. I returned to Cornwall to work on the Penryn Campus in education support, assisting students in resolving academic and personal problems.

I really enjoy the face-to-face contact, ensuring students are aware of relevant wellbeing support services available to create as smooth an experience as possible during their studies. Being a member of the Trust has helped me pass on points of access to help and services for treatment available in the county.

My passion in the provision of mental health care was heightened when a close friend was diagnosed with a serious mental health condition. Supporting my friend during this time has really highlighted the importance of availability of local care and ensuring the people of Cornwall are aware of relevant services.

I am excited to play a part in ensuring the above by becoming a Governor, gaining a deeper knowledge of the Trust’s work and acting as a link to the public to provide the best possible care for the people of Cornwall. I am excited to hear that all services, both physical and mental, will be integrated in the future, providing better, more localised care for Cornwall.

Stephanie Pomeroy Governor

Stephanie Pomeroy, Staff Elected Governor

I joined Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust in July 2014 and through my various roles in communications, business development and finance I have been fortunate to meet and work alongside a wide range of staff from various services and departments. I am proud to work for the Trust and am committed to fulfilling a long and productive career within the NHS.

Since 2017 I have proudly represented my colleagues as a staff governor. During my first term I spent time defining what the role is and how it differs from public facing positions and made good progress in promoting the role amongst staff and hearing their views, concerns and ideas by introducing myself at team meetings and arranging stands at engagement events. I am immensely passionate about the health and wellbeing of our people and am therefore delighted that I can help support team wellbeing initiatives in my full time fundraising role.

I have also completed training in transformational coaching and mental health first aid to enhance the skills, information and support I can offer to staff and my fellow governors. It is my pleasure to represent the interests of our outstanding workforce and passionate members. The Trust has been on a huge journey since I became a governor, and I am very grateful to have been a part of that. I hope to contribute to the overall success of our organisation for years to come.

Sophie Scott

Sophie Scott, Staff Elected Governor

I grew up and went to school in Cornwall from the age of 8. I have worked for the NHS both at Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust and now Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust during the last 14 years. My current role is coaching and talent lead, I always aim to make a positive change and support people to be the best they can at work.

To help find out what change is needed I have worked alongside colleagues in many areas of the Trust's services, including joining inpatient and community nursing shifts and attending staff meetings. This allows me to see the care and compassion staff give to patients in often complex and stressful circumstances.

I take time to listen to the joys and challenges people face in their work and take action to improve staff experience, career progression and development of their talents and skills, by helping to implement ideas that staff have suggested.

My role has given me an in-depth knowledge of the challenges faced by staff and an appreciation of the wonderful skills, expertise and talent people bring to their jobs.

I am delighted to have this opportunity to apply for the role of staff governor. I believe I could use my experience in listening, empathy, representing views and taking action, to help support a compassionate and just culture across the Trust.

I would do this by working collaboratively with the board of governors and all colleagues, putting the staff voice at the heart of Trust business and strategy.

Fi Higman Staff Elected Governor

Fi Higman, Staff Elected Governor

I have a passion for the delivery of high quality, patient centred care and currently lead a team of people who provide care for patients in their own home with an innovative service known as Home First. I was in fact instrumental in establishing and implementing the service across mid and east Cornwall.

Home First teams work with patients who wish to remain at home during periods of illness or return home rather than remain in hospital and provides short term care to enable them to recover at home safely. It is very much a team effort made up of nurses, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, and generic support workers.

We also work closely with our colleagues from both Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust and the council. Together we ensure that care plans are in place which meet the holistic needs of the patient, and actively seek the voice of the patient both to influence their own care and the development of the service. I feel that it is vital that we establish an integrated system that brings together health and social care provider organisations to benefit the people of Cornwall and in my spare time I am currently studying for a degree in Integration.

I hope in my role as a staff governor to represent the interests and views of the staff I engage with and believe in these challenging times that putting the well being of our staff first, those who will benefit the most will be our patients.

Penny Phillips

Penny Phillips, Elected Governor for the west constituency

Image to follow

Tamin Irvin, Appointed Governor, Truro and Penwith College

Attend a Council of Governors' meeting

2023 to 2024 meeting dates

You are welcome to observe our Council of Governor meetings. Our meetings usually start at 10.30am. Our future meeting dates are:

  • 4 July at 10.30am
  • 20 September (this meeting will start at 2pm)
  • 6 December at 10am
  • 6 March at 2.30pm

From March 2023, we have returned to holding our meetings face-to-face.

We usually meet at our head office in Bodmin. The address is Carew House, Beacon Technology Park, Dunmere Road, Bodmin, PL31 2QN. The What Three Words reference for our head office is: sends.spoil.hood.

Council of Governors papers

Read the papers and presentations given to our Council of Governors. Like our board of directors meetings, these are also held in public. You are welcome to attend and observe the meeting. Since March 2023, we have returned to meeting in person.

Previous Council of Governors’ papers may be requested by calling 01208 834 600.

2023

  • The papers and presentation given at the March Council of Governors' meeting are not accessible. If you would like to receive a copy please call 01208 834 600 or email the communications team.

2022

2021

2018 and 2019

Governor elections

Our annual election process starts in November each year. The 2022 to 2023 governor election process is now concluded.

Elections are held annually with new governors announced in February. Newly appointed governors join us on 1 March.

This year we appointed 5 new governors. These seats represent the following constituencies:

  • 1 west service area (uncontested)
    • Michael Coupe
  • 2 east service area (uncontested)
    • Paul Reeve
    • Gillian Shipsides
  • 2 our staff (elected)
    • Paul Marston
    • Stephanie Pomeroy

About the Council of Governors

The Council of Governors help to shape the Trust's services and future plans. Anyone aged 16 and over who is a member of the Trust is eligible to apply. If you are not already a member you can join online using the membership form below.

19 people make up the Trust’s Council of Governors. 11 public governors, 4 staff governors, and 4 appointed governors. The Trust's appointed governors represent Cornwall Council, the Council of the Isles of Scilly, Truro and Penwith College, and Volunteer Cornwall.

The council of governors meets 4 times a year. The Trust pays governors' travel expenses for face-to-face meetings and site visits.

Useful links

Previous elections

Email our Trust secretary to obtain information on previous elections.

Benefits of being a member

Being a member will give you an opportunity to play a part, have a say, help to shape and influence the Trust services.

As a member you can expect:

  • regular jargon free communications to keep you informed
  • a range of offers available through Health Service Discounts
  • opportunities to participate in surveys consultations and to influence Trust plans
  • an opportunity to stand for election to the Council of Governors and to vote for somebody to represent you on the council.

Online membership form

Membership Form

Note: Questions marked by * are mandatory










How would you describe your ethnic origin? (Please select one of the following options)
















Newsletters