Public Governors

Ashish is a successful technology leader in financial crime, including counter-fraud, anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing, and he has helped many financial services and Government agencies to make the world a safer place.

Ashish describes himself a Swayamsevak, which is a Sanskrit word for community contributor with the mission of selfless service with detachment.

He has helped many families in isolation, and elderly people with buying essential supplies, making pharmacy runs, etc.

With a passion for community service and strong skills such as audit and inspection, HR and IT, Ashish is keen to use his experience and skills to serve and assist the NHS, the Trust and the community.

I have lived in the village of Liddington for over 40 years and joined the Parish Council shortly after moving here. I am on the Swindon Local Council Forum, a subsidiary of the Wiltshire Association of Local Councils, a group where Swindon parish and town councils discuss issues and collaboration.

After graduating in physics and a doctorate in applied physics, my career has been in research and development in communications and photoelectronic imaging systems, before setting up my own company to develop silicon chips. 

My experience of our local health service has been positive, and my aim as Governor is to provide a link between the community and our Trust. 

I am keen to support greater accountability, transparency, and connection between the NHS and the communities it serves. As a parish councillor and a former member of the Armed Forces with 23 years of service, I bring discipline, leadership, and a strong public service ethic to this role.

Since leaving the military, I have worked closely with children with special educational needs and disabilities. This has given me a deep understanding of the challenges faced by families navigating health and care services, as well as the importance of early intervention, joined-up support, and accessible provision. I am passionate about improving outcomes for those who often struggle to be heard.

Alongside my role as councillor, I lead on youth outreach, mental health awareness, and community engagement projects. I work with residents of all ages and backgrounds, ensuring their concerns are raised and addressed. I also have experience contributing to local policy, managing community-led projects, and participating in formal governance structures.

I understand the pressures the NHS is under and I will support a balanced, informed approach that protects quality while keeping patient experience at the centre of decision-making.

Lesley's hopes are to strengthen the integration between healthcare providers and other organisations in Swindon.

Through various roles and volunteer work, Lesley experience has helped to prepare her for this role. She is a member of the Patient Participation Group for Merchiston Surgery and now the Wyvern Health Partnership, Chair of the Trustees for the Friends of Beechcroft Community Library, and works closely with Swindon’s ‘Live Well Hub’. 

Lesley has volunteered at the Trust as a Breast-Feeding support worker, and she founded and now manages the Stratton Advice Point.

I am a widow and mother who has seen close-up how the work of this Trust impacts the lives of its patients and their families.

Professionally, I have worked as personal assistant to a hospital governor who suffers from severe visual impairment and limited mobility. Assisting with meeting preparations has provided a valuable overview of the governors’ role, and supporting them through medical appointments has given me an insight into the positive and negatives of the healthcare system, specifically for those attending with a disability.

Personally, I have had to walk the cancer journey alongside my late husband. My concern that all cancer sufferers continue to get the best possible treatment is underpinned by that memory.

I desire to work with others to ensure the Trust continues to provide not only clinical excellence, but appropriate support for all those who rely on it for their health and wellbeing.

Raana is passionate about promoting the voice of patients, and her priorities are to improve patient experience, especially for the vulnerable groups, increase diversity and inclusion in membership to reflect patient demographic, and engage more with the public.

Raana has worked for the Swindon Borough Council as a Health and Wellbeing Coach, providing her with insight into health issues faced by the community and the consequent gaps in the provision of health services. 

Our Deputy Lead Governor, Vivien, worked as a diagnostic radiographer for many years before moving to a university to lecture a diagnostic ultrasound training programme.

She completed a Doctorate in diagnostic ultrasound, and then moved into a senior management role within the University of the West of England, where she was Head of the Allied Health Professions Department. 

She is now a magistrate in Wiltshire, and previously a Governor for Royal United Hospitals Bath.

I am now retired following an active career in the NHS for 38 years. My last appointment was with Gloucestershire NHS Foundation Trust as a Specialist Urologist.

I have been actively involved in promoting awareness of Bone Marrow Donation in the Asian community. I have also spent my time raising awareness of stem cell preservation in the Asian community and regularly arrange health talks on this topic.  

With the changes in the NHS moving more towards digital our role becomes ever more important to share our knowledge with the elderly population in our community and I will strive to be of help to our local population to raise awareness and assistance where possible.

Sarah believes that everyone needs to give back to society. Sarah is a qualified farm manager and has her own business as a private chef. She is experienced in handling client needs and different personalities.

Sarah has knowledge of the NHS Framework, which is a useful attribute when considering quality assurance and articulating concerns, developing solutions and partnering successful outcomes.

She has been a Parish Councillor, building strong networks in the locality shaped by her customer service and delivery, so can effectively capture the needs of patients and represent them without bias.

Our Lead Governor, Chris, is also a trustee of the Wiltshire Museum in Devizes, a Parish Councillor for Bishops Cannings, a member of the Devizes area Independant Police Advisory Committee, and is on the steering committee for the Neighbourhood Plan for the Devizes Area.

This experience brings useful skills to the Council of Governors; in understanding the role of a non-executive director; bringing and working together with people of different backgrounds.

Stephen has been a passive member of the Trust for several years as a patient and visitor. He believes becoming a Governor will allow him to become an active participant, giving back to the community and the Trust.

After serving in the Army for 40 years in the Royal Signals, retiring as a Lt Col, his role in the military included communications, information management, security, IT systems and networks.

Stephen has experience understanding how people interact with IT services and feels his skills and experience are best placed to help make that aspect of patient care an area of excellence for the local area.