Welcome to our Board
The Board is accountable for our vision, strategy, operational management, and financial decisions. We have a unitary Board which consists of fifteen Board Members including the Chair, seven voting Non -Executive Directors, and seven voting Executive Directors.
Executive Directors
Our Executive Directors are responsible for the day to day management of the Trust and are also part of the Board. They are lead by the Chief Executive.
Non-Executive Directors
Non-Executive Directors ensure that the Board acts in the best interests of our patients and community. They are appointed based on thier skill and experience for a specific term.
Trust Chair
The Trust Chair, who is a Non-Executive Director holds a dual role as Chair of the Board of Directors as well as the Council of Governors. This means that the Chair is responsible for leading both the Board and the Council of Governors to ensure that they are working together effectively.
Additionally, the Board also includes a Deputy Chair who deputises for the Chair when appropriate and a Senior Independent Director (SID) who is appointed by the Board made in consultation with the Council of Governors. The SID should act as the point of contact with the Board of Directors if Governors have concerns which approaches through normal channels have failed to resolve or for which such approaches are inappropriate. The SID may also act as the point of contact with the Board for Governors when they discuss for example the Chair's performance.
The Board works closely with our Council of Governors who represents the views of our local community.
Contacting the Board
All Board members may be contacted via the Corporate Governance Team via Corporate.meeting@swast.nhs.uk, South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, Abbey Court, Eagle Way, Exeter, EX2 7HY.
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Chris Perry
Non-Executive Director
Chris joined the SWASFT Board in April 2022. Chris is a people and organisational development leader of over 30 years’ experience and currently runs his own consultancy business providing individual, team and organisational development support and expertise to organisations across the public and private sector with clients that operate in health, life sciences, retail, hospitality, pharmaceuticals and manufacturing.
His work is focused on helping organisations structure, organise and run themselves to best achieve their purpose through their people. He has also held Executive positions at organisations including Starbucks, Sainsbury’s, Taunton & Somerset NHS Foundation Trust and most recently the Co-operative group. Chris brings a wealth of experience in the field of people management and organisational effectiveness having supported organisations to signifi cantly improve their colleague engagement, shift their operating models and get the best from their people. As a longtime resident of Devon and with experience of the South West health economy Chris is committed to contributing all of his skills and knowledge to help SWASFT become a great place to work and receive care.