Council of Governors

Public Governor, Reading

As someone who owes his life twice over to the Royal Berks Hospital and our NHS, I felt it appropriate to offer my voluntary services to the hospital trust. 

I came to Reading University in 1971 and, within 18 months, was rushed into the RBH with a rare blood disorder successfully treated in Reading and Hammersmith Hospitals. 

In 2016 I was diagnosed early with throat cancer and successfully treated at Reading Hospital, following two months of radiotherapy and chemotherapy. 

I was also elected to Reading Borough Council in 1973 and remained a councillor until retirement in May 2024, serving my final year as Mayor of Reading. 

Throughout my time on the Council, and as a town centre resident and representative, I have been an ardent supporter of our local health services. 

Our local hospital staff are dedicated and deserve the support of Governors whose commitment should be unwavering to the NHS, but also conscious of the need for ongoing reform within the context of a service free at the point of need. 

Public Governor, Reading 

I’ve lived with my family in Tilehurst, Reading for the past 44 years.  Both our children were born at the Trust. Being a Public Governor for the last 7 years is one way I can ‘give back’.

I am a Committee Member of the Royal Berkshire Charity and the Patient Participation Group of my local, Tilehurst Surgery.

From 2013-2017 I was a Trustee of the Portsmouth Sail Training Trust. I have experience in the Merchant Navy as a Radio Officer plus many years as an Electronic Engineer in Technical Training, Sales Support and Managerial roles.

Public Governor, Reading 

I am a publicly elected independent governor for Reading since 8 September 2020.  For most of my adult life I have lived in and around Reading and for the last 25 years, central Reading (Katesgrove). I am a retired senior civil servant and an active member of Reading Patient Voice.  I have been a Trust in-patient.  My role is to represent the concerns of my community, not just my age group, but the whole diverse demography of Reading.

Public Governor, Reading (Lead Governor)

I am the Lead Governor. I seek assurance through our Non-Executive Directors about the Board’s performance on patient & staff safety, reducing waiting lists, clinical effectiveness, risk management, and the New Hospital programme and Integrated Care System. I am a member of the Patient Participation Group at my GP surgery and the Reading Patient Voice group, representing our community. I believe in the importance of improving access to healthcare, reducing health inequalities and preventive health measures for better outcomes.

Governor.

Governor.

Public Governor, Wokingham 

Royal Berkshire Hospital is an excellent institution but one that needs to be cared for as demands continually increase and budgets tighten. My experience as a parish councillor, a member of Brookside Patient Participation Group for 25 years, an architect, a director providing care communities for older people and now as a design consultant in a company supplying wide ranging mental health care from specialist schools through to psychiatric intensive care may allow me to represent public interest and help the trust.

Public Governor, Wokingham

I have lived in Wokingham Borough for more than 30 years, during which time my family and I have used many services provided by the Trust.

I am currently Joint CEO of SEND Voices Wokingham, the parent carer forum for the Borough, representing families of children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). With over 10 years’ experience, I work closely with local health, care and education partners, including Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust, to improve services and champion inclusive, high-quality support for children and young people with SEND and their families.

Governor.

Governor.

Governor.

I live in Mortimer and have worked in NHS mental health services for over 20 years.  More recently, I was CEO of a children’s mental health charity and am currently Chair of the Caldecott Foundation which provides Children’s homes.  I have a track record of strategic leadership, collaboration and innovation.  I understand the importance of culture and humour in the working environment and am committed to contributing to high quality healthcare services for all patients and their families.

Governor.

Public Governor, West Berkshire & Borders 

Public Governor, South Oxfordshire 

In 2008 I joined the Trust Patient Panel and subsequently the Diabetes Governance Committee as patient representative on which I served for 12 years. I have been a Parish Councillor for around 7/8 years and I am a member of my local surgery’s Patient Participation Group. My professional background is that of the Consulting Civil/Structural Engineer having been joint Senior Partner of a nationwide practice during which time I was involved in the design and construction of various health projects including hospitals.

Vacant Partner Governor - Integrated Care Board (SEND) 

Governor. Appointed by West Berkshire Council.

Partner Governor, Appointed by Autism Berkshire

Darren Browne is the chair of Lagonda Studios, an organisation he founded to help develop film studios. He was the individual who came up with the concept for Shinfield Studios in Berkshire on behalf of the University of Reading. He was a founding director of Shinfield Studios, which brings in c£500m of annual inward investment into Berkshire.

Previously, Darren was the Managing Director of Hays Technology, receiving autism and dyspraxia diagnoses as an adult becoming a champion of Neurodiversity.

Darren is a Trustee of Autism Berkshire and Berkshire Community Foundation.

Darren lives in Caversham with his wife Sonia and has 4 adult children.

Governor. Appointed by Reading Borough Council. 

Partner Governor, Appointed by Wokingham Borough Council

I have lived in Wokingham for 25 years with my wife. We have 3 children who were all born in Royal Berkshire Hospital. During the first delivery my wife lost 10 units of blood and had to receive 9 units of blood. We are forever grateful of the actions taken by the doctors and nurses that day.

I am an experienced IT professional, and currently local Wokingham Town Councillor and Borough Councillor. Currently I am the chair of the Health and Overview Scrutiny Committee of Wokingham Borough Council.

Partner Governor, University of Reading 

Paul joined the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust as a Partner Governor in 2024.  He has previously worked in the NHS as a clinical psychologist and is now an Associate Professor of Clinical Psychology at the University of Reading.  His academic and clinical interests are around mental health and disordered eating and, outside of work, he enjoys running and travelling.

Staff Governor, Admin/Management

I am a highly accomplished Strategic Partnerships Manager for the Trust, where I have worked for nearly a decade. In my role, I lead cross-organisational initiatives across research, education, innovation, and clinical practice.

I excel at fostering high-impact collaborations and I am recognised for my proactive and collaborative approach to complex challenges. 

I am proud to represent the Admin & Management constituents in my role as Staff Governor. Outside of the RBFT, I enjoy an outdoors life in the Berkshire countryside.

Staff Governor: Medical/Dental

Tom is a Consultant Anaesthetist and has worked at the Royal Berkshire Hospital since 2019. In addition to his Governor role he is also a Patient Safety Incident Investigator and a participant within a Trust wide data group. Although specifically a Governor for the medical and dental staff group he is here to represent all staff and happy to hear from visitors, patients and staff alike. Outside of his clinical work Tom enjoys cycling. 

Staff Governor, Allied Health Professionals/Scientific

I was born in Reading, Berkshire, at Delwood Hospital. I am a devoted husband and father of two, with a deep commitment to people, community, and compassionate care.

I currently serve as a full-time Hospital Chaplain, bringing a person-centred, inclusive, and values-led approach to spiritual care. I am passionate about dignity, equality, and basic human rights, which naturally shape my practice and underpin my instinctive commitment to holistic, person-centred care. I believe the true measure of any individual is found in the content of their character, and this principle informs every aspect of my work with patients, families, and staff.

Alongside my hospital role, I am an active Street Pastor, serving within Reading’s night-time economy, offering support, reassurance, and a calm presence in moments of vulnerability and crisis.     

I am driven by a desire to bring hope in difficult situations, challenge harmful stereotypes, and contribute positively to the wellbeing of the wider community in a progressive and inclusive way.                                                            

Staff: Nursing/Midwifery.

Staff Governor: Health Care Assistant and Ancillary 

Volunteer Governor

Youth Governor