Our Governors page - Banner

Our Governors

Our Council of Governors acts as a link between service users, carers, staff, the general public and the Trust's Board of Directors.

They support the Board of Directors in setting the long-term vision for our organisation, and hold the non-executive directors to account for the actions of the Board. Our Board of Directors has a duty to consult, and listen to the views of, the Council of Governors.

Photo of Mala Thapar

Mala Thapar

Job title Service User Governor
About

“Nothing about us without us” is a powerful phrase that inspired me to the role as a Service user Governor at SLaM. My incentive is to ensure that the crucial importance of inclusion, equality, and the need to recognise hidden disabilities and aspire to oppose unconscious bias towards people with health conditions and equal representation for Global Majority communities without disparity. As a neurodiverse woman with a physical disability and my lived experience reflects a clear understanding of cultural barriers.

Over the years, I have fought tirelessly for the education of my children with special needs, which led to several litigations where I experienced inequalities and systematic disadvantages. This injustice led me to campaign for equality after being subjected to years of suppression in previous years and former employment. 

This commitment is reflected through my involvement in several health advisory groups to improve experiences for service users and focusing on non-discriminatory representation from an intersectional perspective. I am a member of an Autism Partnership Board, a consultant in University committees and some national research teams.

I look forward to this is an exciting phase to collaboratively ensure that patients are the primary focus and incorporated into the forefront to the Trust’s future strategy.

Record last modified

Contact your governors

If you have a question for your governors, please email governors@slam.nhs.uk

The Council of Governors is made up of:

  • Appointed members from organisations that the Trust works with
  • People who use the Trust's services elected by our membership
  • Carers of people who use the Trust's services elected by our membership
  • Members of the public elected by our membership
  • Members of staff elected by our membership

The Council's responsibilities include:

  • Appointing the Chair and other non-executive directors
  • Removing, if three quarters of the council of governors decide that it is necessary, the chair or other non-executive directors
  • Approving, by a majority, the appointment of the Chief Executive by the non-executive directors
  • Appointing or removing the Trust's auditor
  • Supporting and engaging with the Trust board
  • Holding the non-executive directors to account for the performance of the Trust Board
  • Representing the interests of the members of the Trust as a whole and the interests of the public
  • Approving 'significant transactions'
  • Deciding whether non-NHS work would significantly impact on the Trust's core role
  • Approving, by an overall majority, an application by the Trust to enter into a merger, acquisition, separation or dissolution
  • Approving amendments to the Trust's constitution

Governors review

The governors review includes information about the role of governors and their activities over the preceding year:
Governors review 2021-22

Governors review 2020-21

How to become a governor

Governors are elected to the Council of Governors from the public, service user, carer and staff constituencies. Elected governors serve a three-year term on the Council of Governors. Governors are also appointed by partner organisations. 

If you are interested in becoming a governor, vacancies will be advertised here or you can contact us to find our more via governors@slam.nhs.uk

Global Banner