Council of Governors

Meet our Council of Governors

Gillian Norton – Our Chairman

Elected Governors

Merton

Nasir Akhtar 

01.02.2020 – 31.01.2026

I have been a resident of Merton for the last 18 years and my family and I have benefited from the vital services offered by St George’s. I am passionate about the NHS service as I believe it plays a vital role in shaping the social fabric of our society. I have strong experience in industry, working with board members in companies to develop strategy and have also been a volunteer for over 20 years supporting local community members.

Chelliah Lohendran (likes to be called Logie

01.02.2024 – 31.01.2027

Whilst a Councillor for London Borough of Merton, I chaired the Older People Scrutiny Committee. Having left the council, I am the Chair for Merton Seniors Forum, Within my roles, I have carried out care home inspections on behalf of Merton and Sutton Council with Healthwatch.

I am very passionate about promoting Health and Wellbeing, which I have been able to do by being a member of several bodies within Merton CCG/HW and ICS.   Prior to the pandemic I started running a monthly group for parents and their children with Special Educational Needs. This has provided me with tools to better understand the needs children have and the interventions they need to improve their quality of life and education. I am also involved in befriending work with various groups and individuals; signposting mental health support and giving advice on housing/ welfare issues.

Khaled Simmons 

01.02.2021

First elected a Governor at St George’s in 2013, I have 30 years’ professional experience successfully delivering and holding Boards to account for implementing strategy and delivering on their commitments. I’ve also worked with the NHS to help improve hospital design and I am also an experienced St George’s service user, passionate about the quality and safety of the patient experience.

 

Wandsworth

Afzal Ashraf 

01.02.2020 – 31.01.2026

I am proud of Wandsworth’s health facilities including the outstanding hospitals and other services provided by the Trust – which were superb on the rare occasions when my family have needed them. However, this complex and dispersed organisation needs high governance standards, particularly to improve value for money and engagement with patients and Trust members.

John Hallmark

01.02.2021

A local resident for 25 years, I have experience of St George’s as both an inpatient and A&E attendee. My professional background is in communications and marketing having worked in the Civil Service for many years and at the RSPCA’s Head Office. I now have my own company specialising in press, public relations and Parliamentary Affairs. I was previously a Wandsworth Councillor for 16 years.

Lucy Mowatt

1.02.2023 – 01.02.26

As a Wandsworth resident for 16 years, I am committed to the local community. I am an enthusiastic advocate of the NHS and have a great interest in the running of local health services, particularly St George’s. I am keen to support the Trust as it balances competing priorities whilst keeping the focus on high quality patient-centred care for all. I have worked on the NHS front line for 14 years as a Registered Dietitian, including 4 years at St George’s from 2012-2016, working in the specialist area of cancer and latterly critical care. I also chaired the England Board of the British Dietetic Association during that time. As a former elected Councillor of Wandsworth Borough Council from 2018-2022, I was a member of several committees including the Adult Health Overview & Scrutiny Committee where I helped monitor St George’s and other health services. As a registered carer for a member of my family with an acquired brain injury, I also have insight into a range of health care services at St George’s, so I know first-hand how important these are to the local area.

Augustine Odiadi 

01.02.2024 – 31.01.2027

l have lived in Battersea since 1978 and over the past 30 years, my family and I have received the highest standard of healthcare provided by St. George’s Hospital.  We are grateful for our healthcare to the hardworking management and staff at St. George’s.  Being a governor is a way I can say thank you to St. George’s that have given so much to me and my family for so many years.

I have a recent legal career as a solicitor with wide experience in Family, Housing and Immigration Law practise.

Jackie Parker

01.02.2024-31.01.2027

I am a passionate supporter of the NHS. My father worked for St George’s for many years before he died and my son is currently training to be a doctor, and I am very proud of them both. As a result, I have some insight into the challenges being faced by the service.

I have a Business degree and a Masters in Voluntary Sector Organisation and my last paid job was as Deputy Director of Amnesty International UK.

Since leaving my job to care for my three children I have undertaken a lot of voluntary work including director roles on the boards of three charities and I served as a governor at Glenbrook Primary school in Lambeth for many years, including terms as Chair and Vice Chair. I am proud to serve as a representative of my community in Wandsworth.

Ataul Qadir Tahir

01.02.2020 – 31.01.2026

I have been a resident of Wandsworth for over 40 years and have held various positions of authority in the local community. Following a heart attack, I received great medical care from St George’s and would like to help other people by contributing my ideas and knowledge to improve their experience. I regularly work with UK and international charities including fundraising for the British Legion’s Poppy Appeal and Humanity First amongst others.

Rest Of England

Jim Bourlet

Public: Rest of England

01.02.2024 – 31.01.2027

From my family’s and my own experience of in-patient and out-patient services I have formed a high opinion of St George’s Hospital.

As an 81 year old economist, I have long followed the old saying “Physician or fool by forty”. Therefore, I have taken a lively non-professional interest in health issues whilst following my career directing the London-based Economic Research Council and lecturing on public and corporate sector policy making as Professor at The University of British Columbia in Canada, in London’s Guildhall University and at Keio University in Tokyo.

Sandhya Drew

01.02.2020 -31.01.26

I was born in St George’s Hospital when it was in Hyde Park. I was ‘re-born’ in St George’s Hospital in Tooting in January 2016 when my life was saved through 11 hours of risky and complicated brain stem surgery. Thanks to the skill and care of staff, I have emerged unscathed and healthier than before my operation. I have raised funds for St George’s through running and swimming and I also participated for two years in the patient group Voice . I am a barrister and academic at City Law School specialising in employment and public law.

Staff – Nursing and Midwifery Staff Constituency

Dympna Foran

Staff: Nursing and Midwifery Staff 01.02.2024 – 31.01.2027

Having served as a nursing sister at St George’s from 1987 to 1997 and later resuming my career in 2015, currently as Cardiology Nurse Practitioner, my connection with the organisation spans several decades.

Throughout my professional journey, I have exemplified a steadfast commitment to the principles of transparency, accountability, and patient-centred care. With a background deeply rooted in nursing, I possess a comprehensive understanding of the challenges facing our healthcare system. I am eager to leverage this to contribute effectively to the governance process and drive positive change within St George’s.

My involvement in school governance since 2008, spanning four primary schools over the last 15 years, serving as Chair of Governors for three schools and as a designated National Leader of Governance from 2014 – 2019, has equipped me with an awareness of the critical role of effective governance plays in steering organisations towards excellence.

Staff – Allied Health Professionals and Other Clinical and Technical Staff Constituency

Atif Mian

Staff: Allied Health Professionals and Other Clinical and Technical

01.02.2024 – 31.01.2027

As the lead critical care technologist at St George’s Hospital, I’m deeply committed to the well-being and advancement of our clinical and technical staff. I believe that my experience, dedication, and vision make me well placed to represent the Allied health professional’s constituency as their governor.

Throughout my career, I have witnessed the vital role that AHPs, clinical and technical staff play in the healthcare system. I understand the unique challenges we face, from the pressures of frontline care to the need for continuous education and professional development.

My leadership within the critical care team has honed my ability to collaborate, communicate, and advocate for our colleagues’ needs. I have consistently championed initiatives to improve working conditions, ensure access to necessary resources, and promote staff well-being.

Furthermore, I am passionate about fostering a culture of learning and growth. I envision creating opportunities for skill development, mentorship, and recognition for our staff. By investing in our professional development, we can enhance the quality of care we provide to our patients.

Staff – Medical and Dental Constituency

Abul Siddiky

 01.02.2024 – 31.01.2027

I am a Consultant Transplant & Dialysis Access Surgeon and was honoured to be appointed to the Trust in early 2020 at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, with my first duties being to support the Trust’s response in dealing with this unprecedented situation.  I then helped to kickstart our transplantation programme within the pandemic, becoming the first adult London Unit to do so on site.  I am also an active member of the Trust’s Organ Donation Committee and I am the surgical representative to the London Kidney Network, helping to improve and develop renal care at our Trust within the collaborative framework of the city and beyond.   I am passionate about our staff feeling valued and heard and will be acting as a Freedom to Speak Up Champion at the Hospital.

 

Staff – Non-clinical

Huon Snelgrove 

1.2.2023 – 01.02.2026

I have worked at St George’s as an educationalist since 2014. In this role I collaborated closely with clinical teams to expand simulation-based team learning in the hospital and have worked to promote interprofessional and multidisciplinary training using both laboratory-based and in-situ clinical simulation.

During the Covid pandemic I co-designed major simulation-training interventions ‘at scale’ for large numbers of hospital staff being deployed to Covid wards and was an  intensive care ‘runner’ and ‘ward clerk’, setting up a Family Liaison Service for Covid patients and a training course in communication skills for recruits to the service.

Post Covid I have trained as a voluntary Trauma Risk Management practitioner (TRiM) for hospital staff. Outside of St George’s I have a long-standing engagement with the voluntary sector, and I am a part of a Rapid Response Team for rough sleepers in London.

Appointed from stakeholder organisations

Alfredo Benedicto (Lead Governor)

Appointed Governor Healthwatch Merton

01.02.2018 to date 

After retiring from a long career in Consumer & Financial Services across several location in Europe and America, I have devoted my time and energy to voluntary roles in the health & social care sectors for the past 8 years. On top of my role as Governor in St George’s, I am currently the Chairman of Healthwatch Merton and a trustee and member of the executive team of Merton Mencap.

I have been a resident of Merton for the past 30 years and a carer of a daughter with learning disabilities.

Sarah Forester 

Healthwatch Wandsworth

01.02.2021 to date

I am an elected member of the Healthwatch Wandsworth Committee, having retired recently after a career in the NHS and Local Authority Children’s Services. My professional background is as a qualified Nurse and Health Visitor. I have also worked at a national level as a professional officer with the CPHVA, a professional body and trade union. This involved working with Government departments, statutory regulators and professional bodies, to develop policies and good practice standards for Health Visitors and Community Nurses. I have lived in Wandsworth for over 40 years and both myself and my family have used St Georges on many occasions, across a wide range of services, including midwifery, the emergency department, orthopaedics, orthodontics, skin cancer and the stroke unit.

Julian Ma 

St George’s University of London 01.09.2022 to date

I am the Hotung Chair of Molecular Immunology.  I also hold honorary Consultant appointments in Oral Medicine at King’s College London and in Infection and Immunity at St George’s.  I was Director of the Institute for Infection and Immunity from 2014-2024.

In 1983 I graduated in dentistry at Guy’s Hospital in 1983 and went onto gain my PhD in immunology. After a post-doctoral fellowship at The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California I  returned to King’s College London as a Wellcome Trust Advanced Fellow to establish my independent research group. Since 2003, I took up the Chair at St. George’s University of London in 2003. My research explores applications of plant biotechnology for prevention of global infectious diseases, particularly those affecting the poor in developing countries, including HIV, rabies, Chikungunya virus and now SARS-CoV-2

 

  Georgina Sims

I have 38 years of experience as a midwife and have worked clinically at Epsom, St Helier, and St George’s Hospitals.

For the last 20 years, I have worked as a midwife academic at Kingston University and currently, I am an Associate Professor and the head of the Department for Midwifery.

Because of my clinical and academic roles, I have the necessary expertise to provide insights into maternity services, ensuring that the voice of users of the service and students is heard by the senior team at St George’s.

I am keen to use my experience and expertise in my role as an appointed Governor to the board.

Cllr Stephen Worrall – Wandsworth Council 

1.7.2022 – date

Cllr Stephen Worrall is a Wandsworth resident and the Labour Counsellor for Shaftesbury and Queenstown Ward on Wandsworth Council. He works in the Voluntary Sector in the HIV and Sexual Health Field. He was previously a Governor at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital.

 

Contact Us

You can now contact your Governor by using one of the email addresses below:

governors.wandsworth@stgeorges.nhs.uk

governors.merton@stgeorges.nhs.uk

governors.swlambeth@stgeorges.nhs.uk

governors.restofengland@stgeorges.nhs.uk

Our Council of 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.

There are 28 governors on the Council comprised of:

  • 15 elected by public members in the areas we serve.
  • 8 stakeholder governors appointed by local organisations.
  • 5 staff governors elected by different staff groups.

All elected governors serve a three-year term on the Council of Governors.

Governors have an important role in making an NHS foundation trust publicly accountable for the services it provides. They bring valuable perspectives and contributions to its activities. If you are interested in becoming a governor, vacancies will be advertised here or you can contact us to find our more via governors@stgeorges.nhs.uk

Associate Governor (Young People) – further details about the role here. 

Become a Member

Our Governors represent the interests of our members and partner organisations, you can find out more on becoming a member.