Governor elections 2026

We are holding elections for public governors in 2026.

Governors help us stay connected to the people and communities we serve across Torbay and South Devon. They represent the interests of members and the public, ask questions and help hold our Non-Executive Directors to account for the performance of the Board.

This is a voluntary role, but it is an important one.

You do not need NHS experience. What matters most is your willingness to listen, ask questions and represent wider community views.

Key dates

  • Nominations open: Monday 29 June 2026
  • Nomination deadline: 5pm on Monday 27 July 2026
  • Voting opens: Tuesday 18 August 2026
  • Voting closes: Friday 11 September 2026
  • Results announced: Monday 14 September 2026
  • Successful candidates start: Thursday 1 October 2026

Vacancies

We currently have public governor vacancies and are keen to hear from people who can help our Council of Governors better reflect our communities.

We would especially welcome interest from:

  • people with lived experience of using our services
  • people who feel their community or perspective is not always heard
  • younger adults and working-age residents
  • carers and people supporting others

What governors do

Governors do not run the organisation day to day.

Instead, governors:

  • represent the interests of members and the public
  • hold our Non-Executive Directors to account for the performance of the Board
  • help ensure strong leadership by appointing the Chair and Non-Executive Directors
  • approve the appointment of the Chief Executive
  • appoint the external auditor
  • act as a critical friend — curious, constructive and independent

What governors do not do

Governors do not:

  • manage services or make day-to-day decisions
  • deal with individual complaints or cases
  • act as individual decision-makers
  • act as Non-Executive Directors
  • represent a single issue or personal agenda

Who can stand?

To stand as a public governor, you must:

  • be a member of the Trust
  • be aged 16 or over at the time of nomination
  • live in the constituency you wish to represent
  • meet the eligibility requirements set out in the Trust Constitution

If you are not already a member, you must become a member before the nomination deadline.

How to stand for election

Step 1: Become a member

To stand as a public governor, you must be a member of the Trust.

Public members need to register before the nomination deadline. Staff are automatically members unless they have opted out.

If you would prefer a paper membership form, please contact the Foundation Trust Office.

Step 2: Complete your nomination form

Once nominations open, you can complete your nomination form online through the election website.

If you cannot access the online form, you can request a paper version from Civica Election Services.

Nomination forms must be submitted directly to Civica Election Services, not to the Trust.

Nomination deadline: 5pm on Monday 27 July 2026

Late submissions cannot be accepted.

Step 3: Write your candidate statement

As part of your nomination, you will need to provide a candidate statement of up to 250 words.

This is what members will read when deciding who to vote for.

You may find it helpful to include:

  • why you want to be a governor
  • your connection to the Trust or local community
  • any relevant experience or perspective
  • how you would listen to and represent your community

Your statement does not need to be formal. What matters most is that it reflects you.

Step 4: What happens after nominations close?

After nominations close:

  • a list of candidates will be published
  • if there are more candidates than vacancies, an election will be held
  • voting packs will be sent to eligible members
  • members will vote for candidates in their constituency

Voting opens on Tuesday 18 August 2026 and closes on Friday 11 September 2026.

Step 5: If you are elected

Successful candidates will formally start their role on Thursday 1 October 2026.

You will be invited to an induction programme and supported to get started in the role.

Information webinars

We know that becoming a governor can feel like a big step.

Our online webinars are a chance to:

  • hear more about the Trust and what we do
  • understand the governor role in more detail
  • ask questions in an informal and supportive setting
  • decide whether the role is right for you

You do not need previous experience to join a webinar.

Each session will last around 45 minutes and will include:

  • an overview of our organisation and our direction
  • a simple explanation of the governor role
  • what the time commitment looks like in practice
  • time for questions

Webinar dates

  • Wednesday, 1 July 2026 – 3pm
  • Thursday, 9 July 2026 – 8am
  • Monday, 13 July 2026 – 12pm
  • Tuesday, 21 July 2026 – 5pm

All sessions will be held on Microsoft Teams.

Frequently asked questions

How much time is involved?

At a minimum, governors are expected to attend four Council of Governors meetings each year and the Annual Members’ Meeting.

Many governors also choose to join committees, working groups, briefings or events.

When are meetings held?

Meeting dates are shared in advance so governors can plan ahead. We aim to keep dates fixed wherever possible.

If you cannot attend a meeting, you should let the Foundation Trust Office know in advance.

Will I be paid?

No. This is a voluntary role.

Governors can claim reasonable expenses, such as travel costs, when carrying out governor duties.

Do I need experience?

No. You do not need NHS experience or formal qualifications.

We will provide induction, training and ongoing support.

What support will I receive?

Governors receive:

  • induction
  • training and development
  • briefings and meeting papers
  • support from the Foundation Trust Office
  • an NHS email account
  • reasonable expenses
  • free car parking when undertaking governor duties

Will my personal information be made public?

Your name and constituency will be published on our website.

Your personal contact details will not be shared publicly. Contact with governors is managed through the Foundation Trust Office and Trust email accounts.

Need help?

If you have questions at any stage, please contact the Foundation Trust Office.

Phone: 01803 655406
Email: Foundation Trust Office

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