The purpose of the accountability section of the Annual Report is to meet key accountability requirements to Parliament.
The Accountability report has three sections:
1. a corporate governance report
2. a remuneration and staff report
3. an audit report.
The corporate governance report explains the composition and organisation of our governance structures and how they support the achievement of our objectives.
Directors Report
The Board of Directors, comprising the Chair, Non-Executive Directors (NEDs) and Executive Directors is collectively responsible for the success of our Trust.
The Board of Directors is responsible for the management and governance of the Trust and for ensuring compliance with guidance issued by NHS England, and with other relevant statutory requirements and contractual obligations.
The Board of Directors meet regularly throughout the year. The Board also has seven committees which also meet regularly and are each chaired by a Non-Executive Director.
The Board of Directors approves the terms of reference which detail the remit and the delegated authority of each committee. Each committee completes an annual review and self-assessment which is then presented to the Board of Directors. In addition to regularly reporting to the Board of Directors, committee minutes are made available for note to each Board meeting. The membership and attendance at Board and Board Committees can be found in the table on page 112 of this report.
Led by the Chair, the Board of Directors sets our strategy, determines objectives, monitors performance and ensures that adequate systems are maintained to measure and monitor effectiveness, efficiency and economy. It decides on matters of risk and assurance and is responsible for delivering high quality and safe services. It provides leadership and effective oversight of our operations to ensure we are operating in the best interests of patients within a framework of prudent and effective controls that enables risk to be assessed and managed.
The detail of company directorships and other significant interests held by members of the Board which may conflict with their management responsibilities is available on our website: https://swlstg.nhs.uk/our-board .
None of the Directors have indicated that they know of any information which would be relevant to the auditors for the purposes of their audit report, of which the auditors are not already aware, and have taken “all the steps that he or she ought to have taken” to make himself/herself aware of any such information and to establish that the auditors are aware of it.
Independence of Directors
The Board considers that all of its Non-Executive Directors meet the test of being independent in character and judgement. Non-Executive Directors bring a breadth of expertise to the Board and provide objective and balanced opinions on matters relating to the Trust’s business. The independence of Non-Executive Directors is tested at interview and at their annual performance review. The Register of Interests is available to view here: https://swlstg.nhs.uk/our-board
Board of Directors
The Board leads the Trust and provides a framework of governance within which high quality mental health and social care services are delivered to the communities we serve in South West London and nationally.
From 2024/25 year, Board members are required to have an EDI pledge as a requirement of delivering the NHS equality, diversity and inclusion improvement plan’s high impact actions . These are included in the biographies below.
Non-Executive Directors
Ms Ann Beasley, CBE, Chair
Ann, a Kingston resident since 1983 and a lifelong supporter of public services, has extensive experience of working at the highest levels of government and brings a wealth of experience across a range of sectors.
In 2010 Ann was awarded a CBE for her work with public services.
With a strong background in finance, Ann’s last executive role was Director General for the Finance, Assurance and Commercial Group at the Ministry of Justice. Ann has over nineteen years’ experience as a Non-Executive Director and Trustee within the Charity and NHS sector, having been Chair of Trustees for the Alzheimer’s Society.
Ann is currently Vice Chair of St George’s University Hospitals NHS FT and Chair of Finance and Performance Committee and Infrastructure Committee, and Vice Chair of Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust. She is also an independent member of Alzheimer’s Trading Limited Board and was previously Trustee, Vice-Chair and Chair of the Alzheimer’s Society, between 2009-2016. Ann was a CIPFA Trustee and member of main council from 2015-2017 and was Chair of Central Government Panel. Ann’s other roles included Accountant General for the Senior Courts of England and Wales, and Commissioner for the Reduction of the National Debt, appointed by the Lord Chancellor, between 2013-2016; and was Independent Financial Adviser for ACAS Audit Committee from 2017 to 2022.
Ann’s executive career included 36 years in the public sector, working principally in the justice sector. Her roles include Director-General, Finance, Assurance and Commercial Group and Member of Secretary of State led Departmental Board of Ministry of Justice, between 2010-2016; Main Executive Agency Board Member and Director of Finance and Performance - National Offender Management Service (incorporating HM Prison Service and Probation Service) between 2002-2010; and Metropolitan Police Service - various posts rising to Director of Business Change, including Area Business Manager for South West London, Head of Equal Opportunities Unit and Head of Performance Information Bureau / MPS Statistical Advisor, between 1988-2002.
Ann was an elected Trustee of NHS Providers in May 2020 to May 2023 and was a member of the Finance and General Purposes Committee.
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Current EDI Pledge |
I pledge, to actively promote equity and inclusivity for all staff and patients, and to challenge inappropriate language and behaviour at all times to enable us to become an anti-racist organisation. |
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Progress made in 2023/24 |
Promoting equity and inclusivity for all staff and patients is always at the forefront of my thinking when considering new proposals and challenging updates on progress. Whilst we still have a long way to go, the Board, which I lead, is firmly heading in the right direction. |
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Overarching EDI objective for 2024/25 |
To model EDI Board leadership by delivering a significant increase in the diversity of the Board within 2024/25. |
Mr Richard Flatman, Senior Independent Director, Non-Executive Director (until 31 March 2025)
Richard is a Chartered Director and a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales and has extensive business and commercial expertise.
He was appointed as a Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Audit Committee in April 2016. In addition, Richard was also a member of the Quality and Safety Assurance Committee (QSAC) and the Senior Independent Director. Until recently Richard was the Chief Financial Officer at London South Bank University Group and has for many years combined this with a wide range of non-executive roles.
Before joining London South Bank, Richard specialised in audit and risk consulting services with Deloitte.
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Current EDI Pledge |
I pledge, to listen, better understand, and do whatever I can to help deliver a more equitable and inclusive environment within the Trust. |
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Progress made in 2023/24 |
· continued training as appropriate around EDI and Freedom to Speak Up (FTSU) · my new role as Senior Independent Director with new FTSU responsibilities · active engagement in reviews of whistleblowing cases · active engagement in Board/ Committee meetings to better understand EDI issues. |
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Overarching EDI objective for 2024/25 |
Not applicable as Richard left the Trust 31st March 2025, following the end of his tenure. |
Ms Sola Afuape, Non-Executive Director
Sola was appointed in August 2016 and renewed for a further term in November 2021. She is the chair of the People Committee. Sola will become our Senior Independent Director from 1st April 2025 and is our Wellbeing Guardian.
Sola has over 20 years’ experience in health and social care advising, designing and implementing national and regional programmes most notably in health inequalities, policy reform and service improvements. She was Chair of a national charity tackling social exclusion and health inequalities with a particular focus on Mental Health, for which she was awarded an MBE. Sola has served on a Non-Executive Director and Trustee in a number of public sector organisations and is currently a National Policy Advisor with the Care Quality Commission, the NHS regulator and independent member of the London Main Advisory Committee for HMCTs.
Sola has a deep passion and advocacy for patients, staff and local people, improved outcomes, coproduction and systems leadership. She runs her own consultancy specialising in Strategy, Workforce and Organisation Development and EDI; working with national regulators, innovation organisations, educational institutions and non-departmental government bodies as well as coaching and mentoring emerging talent and undertaking independent reviews.
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Current EDI Pledge |
Creating the environment that supported the development and amplification of the voice of the staff networks in my former role as EDI chair and at Board. Thereafter following the transition of the staff networks to the Equality Advisory group my contribution to the development of the model f which is based on a best practice model I developed in another Trust. I feel confident the staff networks are in an empowered position where they have a well-defined advisory role that informs and shapes decision-making at Executive level. As part of the Workforce Equality agenda moving from the EDI Committee to the People Committee launched in April I will be making a new pledge to strengthen the defining, delivery and oversight of workforce equality metrics with a particular focus on increased representation at senior level of the Trust. |
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Progress made in 2023/24 |
Sola provided NED advocacy and advisory support for the development of a framework for setting Board EDI objectives. She created a focus and space for Executive and Expert leads to meet, discuss and agree a plan of action with clear outcomes. |
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Overarching EDI objective for 2024/25 |
To support the Board deliver on its Board EDI Objectives through Board EDI advocacy, support and challenge and by sharing with Board members examples of best practice. To support the Trust develop approaches to its Executive and senior leadership recruitment to increase the diversity of our leaders to better reflect our local population. |
Ms Juliet Armstrong, Non-Executive Director
With over 30 years’ experience in more than 20 FTSE100/250, public and PE-backed organisations, Juliet’s core skills are in large-scale transformation programmes including digital. As a partner, she helped to lead and grow a successful management consultancy organisation.
Juliet is a Trustee at Cruse Bereavement Support, the UK bereavement charity, and was a Trustee for six years at The Makaton Charity. She is also a Meyler-Campbell trained Business Coach, and a mentor for Digital Health London and the NHS Innovation Accelerator.
Juliet joined the Trust in July 2019 and is chair of the Modernisation and Charitable Funds Committees, is a member of the Finance and Performance Committee and is the Security Management Guardian.
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Current EDI Pledge |
I pledge, to champion diversity, inclusivity and equity in all we do, including in our Better Communities programme. |
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Progress made in 2023/24 |
· The Modernisation Committee has started to receive EDI impact data for the Better Communities programme but there is much more we need to do. · Continued to supported our Diversity in Decision Makers on committees I chair – and the initiative in general – so that more diverse voices are represented in discussions and decisions. · Supported the work of the Associate Hospital Managers to reduce inequalities and be anti-racist (stepped down as Chair October 2024). · Supported the work of the Springfield Park Social Value Advisory Group which I attend, to ensure the Park will be inclusive for all local communities. |
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Overarching EDI objective for 2024/25 |
· Champion more work to demonstrate how the Better Communities programme will reduce health inequalities, particularly for the Adult Patient Journey and Digital work and the development of Tolworth and Barnes Hospitals. · Champion the work of the SWLSTG charity to ensure its activities and impact are inclusive for all staff and patients. · Continue to support the work of the Springfield Park Social Value Advisory Group so that the Park is inclusive and meets the needs of the diverse local communities. · Support the work of the staff networks by attending more meetings. |
Mr Jonathan Warren, Non-Executive Director
Jonathan joined our Trust Board in September 2023 and became Chair of QSAC in November 2023.
Jonathan is an experienced senior manager and nurse with over 40 years’ experience in a variety of healthcare settings up to and including Chief Executive Officer. Since retiring in 2021 he has continued as a faculty member for the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, teaching on various Quality Improvement programmes in NHS trusts.
He was Chief Executive at Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust from 2019 to 2021; Deputy Chief Executive/Chief Nurse at Surrey and Borders NHS Foundation Trust from 2017 to 2019 and Deputy CEO, Chief Nurse and Head of Nursing at East London NHS Foundation Trust from 2007 to 2017.
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Current EDI Pledge |
Not applicable as Jonathan joined the Trust in 2023. |
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Progress made in 2023/24 |
Not applicable as Jonathan joined the Trust in 2023. |
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Overarching EDI objective for 2024/25 |
I pledge to use the Quality Committee to ensure that we deeply understand the effect of restrictive practices on people with protected characteristics. To encourage change ideas to minimise differences and to support the development of a measurement strategy to understand whether any changes are the right ones. |
Ms Ebele Akojie, Non-Executive Director
Ebele joined our Trust Board in July 2024 and became Chair of the Finance and Performance Committee on appointment.
Ebele is a corporate leader with significant strategic financial management, corporate finance, governance and risk management experience. She has over 25 years’ experience at Board level within the charity and housing regulated sector, setting and monitoring the delivery of strategic and corporate objectives against a backdrop of effective governance, financial sustainability and strategic risk management.
Ebele is well versed in serving as a key stakeholder representative with investors, funders, credit rating agencies, regulators, strategic partners and other stakeholder partners. Ebele's career has been in Finance mainly within the housing sector, where she has held a number of Chief Financial Officer and Finance Director roles.
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Current EDI Pledge |
Not applicable as Ebele joined the Trust in 2024. |
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Progress made in 2023/24 |
Not applicable as Ebele joined the Trust in 2024. |
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Overarching EDI objective for 2024/25 |
To seek assurance that SWLSTG tangibly and demonstrably continues its drive and focus on reducing health inequalities, reducing race inequity and supporting active anti racism and intersectionality. To consistently and compassionately role model our commitment to active anti racism. To actively promote equity and inclusivity for all staff and patients, and to challenge inappropriate language and behaviour at all times to enable us to become an anti-racist organisation. |
Ms Humaira Ashraf, Associate Non-Executive Director
Humaira joined our Board in September 2023. As a People expert, Humaira has successfully led a range of strategic workforce development and culture change programmes for a variety of NHS organisations, including NHS England.
She has recent experience of working with the Board at St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, where she was acting Chief People Officer and also Director of Education, Culture and Organisational Development.
Her experience includes serving as Deputy Director of Organisational Development for NHS England and spells at South London Commissioning Support Unit, NHS London, Alliance & Leicester, and the London Ambulance Service.
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Current EDI Pledge |
I pledge to leverage my extensive Organisational Development (OD) experience and skills to support the board in fostering an inclusive and equitable organisational culture. I aim to champion diversity at senior leadership levels and act as an advocate for embedding equality, diversity, and inclusion principles into all aspects of our Trust’s decision-making. I will work collaboratively with the Board to ensure that inclusivity is central to our leadership and governance practices. |
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Progress made in 2023/24 |
· Advocated for greater diversity in senior leadership roles, consistently challenging the lack of representation during People Committee and Modernisation Committee meetings. · Utilised EDI data (e.g., Workforce Race Equality Standard (WRES), Workforce Disability Equality Standard (WDES), and staff survey findings) to highlight areas of concern and propose actionable steps for improvement. · Actively participated in EDI Network presentations, offering visible support and promoting their initiatives across the Trust. · Provided meaningful contributions to the Trust’s EDI action plan and Organisational Development strategy to ensure alignment with inclusivity goals. · Ensured EDI remained a key focus of discussions, particularly in the context of addressing workforce and health inequalities through governance mechanisms. |
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Overarching EDI objective for 2024/25 |
· Continue to challenge and seek assurance on the reduction of health and workforce inequalities in my capacity as a member of the People Committee and Modernisation Committee. · Support the Trust in identifying areas for improvement using WRES, WDES, and staff survey findings, ensuring data is actively used to enhance the experience of a diverse workforce. · Encourage and monitor the development of targeted initiatives to improve diversity in senior leadership roles and ensure progress is reported to the Board. · Advocate for transparent and inclusive decision-making processes within the Board, promoting intersectionality and equity considerations across all Trust priorities. · Provide mentorship support to People and EDI team to support the implementation of strategic actions, including providing advice on embedding EDI into future workforce planning and leadership development initiatives. · Participate in EDI-related events and activities to demonstrate visible leadership and foster a culture of belonging and inclusivity. |
Dr Iram Sattar MBE, Associate Non-Executive Director
Iram joined our Trust Board in June 2024 and Chairs the Associate Hospital Managers meeting. She is an experienced NHS GP with a specialist interest and passion for mental health and addressing health inequalities. Her commitment extends beyond clinical practice; she serves as a trustee at three charities focused on addressing health inequalities in marginalised communities, particularly within the homelessness and women’s rights sectors. Iram has dedicated over 15 years of her career to the charity sector. Currently, she holds the positions of co-chair and treasurer at Muslim Women’s Network UK, trustee at The Passage, and trustee and treasurer at Nisa Global Foundation. Iram’s contributions were recognised with an MBE for services to the Health and Wellbeing of Vulnerable People in 2022.
As an expert consultant in culturally competent mental health care for Muslim communities, Iram has a proven record of strategising and implementing solutions to enhance mental health access and outcomes. Recognised for her advocacy, Iram has played an active role in local NHS initiatives, including delivering mental health workshops in the Muslim community. She understands the importance of high-quality disaggregated data to provide assurance and shape effective solutions. Iram recognises that spirituality is key to recovery, especially for Black, Asian and minoritised communities and advocates for faith and culturally sensitive health care, aiming to embed spiritual care within mainstream services.
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Current EDI Pledge |
I pledge to keep health inequality and EDI at the forefront of our agenda, applying an intersectional lens and improving data collection for data-driven decisions. I will consider the unintended consequences of new policies and procedures to avoid exacerbating disparities. I will advocate for reducing the pay gap and champion the importance of a diverse workforce. A workforce that reflects the communities it serves is key for tackling health inequalities effectively. I will highlight the often-overlooked importance of religion as a protected characteristic. Staff and patients frequently experience discrimination based on their faith, and it's crucial to address this issue to create psychologically safe environments for everyone. By reviewing data on bullying, harassment, discrimination, and violence, we can address the discrimination that staff and patients face based on their faith. By providing faith and culturally sensitive healthcare, we can improve access, outcomes and experiences for our patients. I am committed to advocating for necessary changes, even when they are challenging, to promote equity and justice in healthcare. |
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Progress made in 2023/24 |
Not applicable - Iram joined the Trust in June 2024. |
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Overarching EDI objective for 2024/25 |
· Advocate for improved data collection and data analysis to inform data-driven decisions to address health inequalities and improve EDI. · Assess and mitigate the unintended consequences of new policies and procedures to avoid exacerbating health inequalities. · Advocate for reducing the pay gap and champion the importance of a diverse workforce. · Highlight the often-overlooked importance of religion as a protected characteristic. a) Ask for data on bullying, harassment, discrimination, and violence to be analysed by religion. b) champion for faith and culturally sensitive health care. |
Mr James Watson O’Neill, Associate Non-Executive Director
James joined our Trust Board in June 2024. James has been Chief Executive at the deaf health charity SignHealth since 2016 and was awarded an OBE for services to deaf people in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours 2022. He has worked in the charity sector since 2001, including a variety of roles at Scope and the NSPCC. James is a qualified Non-Executive Director and has fifteen years’ experience on boards of various charities, including the British Society of Mental Health and Deafness and he is currently a trustee of the Voluntary Organisations Disability Group, a membership body representing organisations within the voluntary sector who work alongside disabled people, particularly in social care.
James is also a Fellow of the RSA and a Leadership Fellow at the Society of Leadership Fellows at the College of St George at Windsor Castle. James co-chairs a cross-sector Civil Society working group focused on equity, diversity and inclusion, with a particular focus on anti-racism.
James attends our Finance and Performance Committee and Quality and Safety Committee, and will become Chair of the Audit Committee (and a full NED) from 1 April 2025.
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Current EDI Pledge |
I pledge to hold myself and my colleagues accountable for our commitment to be an inclusive and anti-racist organisation, even when that means uncomfortable conversations. |
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Progress made in 2023/24 |
Not applicable - James joined the Trust in June 2024. |
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Overarching EDI objective for 2024/25 |
· To continue to learn about the work of the Trust and actively seek out the teams and people who are furthest from the Board. · To participate in the work of the Board’s Committees with a constant eye for inclusion and who is not in the room · To join meetings of the various staff networks and cross-check their stories with what I am seeing and hearing at Board meetings. · To lovingly challenge the status quo if it appears to be holding us back from working better together. |