Governors and members

Andy was one of our first staff governors.

A former mental health nurse, he was the third generation of his family to work for the Trust. During his 28-year career, he has been a nurse, ward/unit manager, and lead nurse.

In his last role with the Trust, Andy led the introduction of electronic patient records. He later moved to work in an acute trust and the private sector.

Andy is a champion for patients, carers, and great care. He wants to ensure we hear and listen to patients, drawing on his experiences as a nurse, patient and carer.

Richard is a semi-retired or emeritus consultant psychiatrist. He is also our head of research. His career in general adult psychiatry spans 19 years. During that time, he has authored several research papers. He has also been involved in award-winning projects.

Richard believes services should be evidence-based. He campaigns for more research. This includes leading a research study to help people with an intellectual disability who find it hard to poo. He also has a keen interest in the use of technology to support those with post-traumatic stress disorder.

Richard believes we should be realistic and honest about what we can achieve while giving people hope.

Mark has worked with NHS and social care services for around 30 years, mostly within the community mental health teams and on psychiatric wards.

He previously worked within the Ministry of Defence on the sports grounds, providing support for the services.

Mark lived in Torpoint and Saltash for many years before moving to Plymouth.

Mark supports the Trussell Trust as a signatory for food e-vouchers. He is a volunteer at Liskeard Community Hospital.

Penny was elected as a public Governor in 2022. She is a national patient safety partner and a member of NHS England's Older People's Sounding Board. As a lived experience influencer for the National Suicide Prevention Alliance, Penny is actively involved in suicide prevention across our local healthcare system.

She supports the Samaritans as part of a lived experience strategy group. Penny is a member of the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee within the Trust and is passionate about improving access, experiences and outcomes for everyone. She is a member of her local GP patient participation group and integrated care forum.

Stephanie has been a Staff Governor since 2017, after joining the Trust in 2014. Since becoming a Governor, she has taken on the extra role of Lead Governor.

She is passionate about the health and wellbeing of her colleagues. This is something she also supports in her role as fundraising manager. To enable her to support her colleagues and help them to reach their full potential she has trained as a transformational coach. She is also a mental health first aider.

Sophie is our coaching and talent management lead. She’s been employed by both NHS providers during her career.

She enjoys working alongside operational colleagues; often joining inpatient or community teams on shift. This approach gives her insight into the experiences and challenges faced by her colleagues.

Through her work Sophie is supporting the development of a compassionate and just culture.

Alison is newly retired and is settling back into life in Cornwall. She is passionate about giving something back to the health community who she describes as having "energised her over the years".

She has close ties with the Trust, having previously served as a Governor from 2019 to 2021. In her first appointment she represented our Other Constituency.

Alison is looking forward to once again being part of our team of Governors. She is looking forward to the challenge and education the role gives her. In return, Alison brings an educational and pastoral care perspective to the role.

Hannah has been reappointed as a Governor after first joining in 2021. She struggled with an eating disorder and left school with no GCSEs but became a volunteer in 2020.

Since then, she has earned a foundation degree in health and nutrition and a degree in human and behavioural sciences.

As a peer support worker with our Eating Disorders Service, Hannah uses her experience to help others, gaining experience in various Trust areas.

Nigel joined us as a Governor in 2018. He is an advocate of a just culture where everyone is able to speak up without fear.

He has previously been the Cornwall Council executive member for adult care. Nigel is a volunteer advisor to Disability Cornwall and Cornwall People First. His role as volunteer advisor enables him to advocate for vulnerable people and their families.

Nigel is a member of his GP surgery’s patient participation group and a Trustee of Trelya and Music for Good. He is also a volunteer advisor to Disability Cornwall and Cornwall People First.

Helen has worked her entire professional career in the NHS. She has spent 20 years as a chief pharmacist, the last 11 with us here in Cornwall.

Through her role as chief pharmacist, Helen has developed a deep understanding of the services we provide. Her role sees her work with clinical and non-clinical staff and with colleagues from all professions. She is passionate about helping them to deliver the best possible patient care.

Helen became a Governor because she wants to ensure we hear the voice of staff at all levels of the Trust. She’s also keen to ensure we have robust assurance and challenge on how we work.