Become a Governor

Spring 2025 governor elections

On Tuesday 3 June, our Spring 2025 governor elections began. Click here to read the Notice of Election.

Want to put yourself forward for election? Here’s how:

Eligible members will receive a Notice of the Election in the post around 3 June 2025, inviting them to request and complete a nomination form if they want to stand for election. Staff will be advised of the election electronically.

The elections will be run on our behalf by an election company, Civica.

  • If you want to put yourself forward for election you will need to request a nomination form from the election company, fill it in and then return it to them by 1 July 2025.
  • You will need to provide a 250 word statement on your background and why you want to become a governor, including a recent photograph.  This is all explained on the form.
  • If there are fewer candidates than vacant seats in a constituency they will automatically become a governor and so there will be no need for a vote in that constituency.
  • If there are more candidates than seats in a constituency, every member of that constituency will be sent a voting form so they can vote for which candidate they want to represent them on the Council of Governors.
  • Even if you don’t stand for election yourself, you can still have your say and vote for a candidate. Voting forms will be sent to members on Wednesday 23 July 2025 and members have until Friday 15 August 2025 to return their vote.
  • Once voting has ended, we will contact all the successful and unsuccessful candidates on Monday 18 August 2025. The successful candidates will then be invited to an induction event to help prepare for the role.

You can request a nomination form via:

For further information about the role of a governor or details of our upcoming elections please contact the Corporate Governance Team on: ft@bdct.nhs.uk

Foundation Trusts are based on membership with local people having their say through the Council of Governors.

Why become a Governor?

  • Have your say about local services and future provision.
  • Influence who is on the Trust’s Board of Directors.
  • Make a difference for your local community.
  • Act as an ambassador for our Trust.

Who can become a Governor?

Anyone who is a member of the Trust and aged 16 years or over can stand for election as a governor. They must also be part of the designated constituency area.

Do I need any qualifications or experience to become a Governor?

You do not need to have any formal qualifications or previous experience to be a governor; you just need to have a passion for improving services within the NHS. We will provide all of the help, training and support that you need to carry out the role.

Will I be paid to be a Governor?

Governors are not paid, but we are happy to repay any expenses incurred when carrying out the governor role.

How much time is required to fulfill my role as a Governor?

Governors are required to:

  • Make themselves available to do any necessary Trust training.
  • Be available to attend all four of our formal Council of Governors meetings.
  • Be available to attend our Annual Members Meeting (half a day).
  • Spend time preparing for any meetings that they attend.
  • Be available to observe at our Board sub-committee meetings to observe the work of the committee (optional).
  • Spend time engaging with members.

How long are governors in office for?

Governors are elected or appointed for a term of office of three years.  When that terms of office has finished, they can stand for re-election or re-appointment, but only for a maximum of six years in total.

If a governor steps down before the end of the three-year term it counts as the full three years in office.  Terms of office do not need to be served consecutively, there can be a break between them.

What is the difference between a governor and a director?

Governors are volunteers who represent local communities, staff groups, and partner organisations.  They are elected by the membership or appointed by our partner organisations.

Directors set the strategy for our Trust and are responsible for ensuring services are of a high quality.  The Board of Directors is made up of seven executive directors including the Chief Executive, one of whom is non-voting; and seven non-executive directors including the Chair.  The non-executives are appointed by the Council of Governors and provide independent challenge to the executive directors.

What is the role of lead governor?

The lead governor may facilitate direct communication between NHS England and the Trust’s Council of Governors.  However, there will be limited circumstances when this is required where the normal channels of communication via the Chair or the Trust Secretary are not suitable.

What is the role of the senior independent director?

The role of senior independent director (SID) is to be available to governors and members if they have concerns about the performance of the Board of Directors, compliance with the terms of authorisation or welfare of the Trust.  The SID would be contacted when normal channels of communication via the chair, chief executive, finance director, or trust secretary are not suitable.  The SID is also involved in appraising the performance of the chair.