Southern Governors

Richard was elected as a public governor in September 2022 for a term of three years.

Born in Okehampton, Richard followed his father into the railway, enjoying a career spanning 46 years and becoming a high-speed train driver instructor. Richard has represented a ward in Exeter for Devon County Council for 32 years and was elected Chair of Devon County Council in 1994/5. He then served the Devon Health Scrutiny Board for eight years as its Chair. He has served on numerous committees and organisations, at local, national and international level.  In 2010 he was awarded an MBE for services to the community and railway.

He is currently chair of the ISCA surgery Friends/Patient Participation group.

Gillian was elected as a public governor in September 2022 for a term of three years.

Gillian worked locally for the NHS for 44 years, latterly working as a nurse and managing partner in general practice, leading the team to be rated outstanding by the Care Quality Commission on all assessments. She was vice-chair of Eastern Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), leading on end-of-life care. She operated at board levels at Devon CCG, and Integrated Care Exeter. She has experience working strategically across health, social and third sector partnerships. At a national level, Gillian worked with the Department of Health on numerous steering groups with a focus on improving the quality of care. She was on the editorial board of a national journal, often writing articles.

Gillian has been awarded for her work with carers, and has maintained face-to-face contact with patients throughout her career. She brings to the role a wealth of knowledge of working for the NHS at all levels, community connections and the experience of a grounded life. A trustee of Exeter Study Club, she enjoys hiking with her husband, grandma duties, and providing seated exercise classes for local groups.

Tim was elected as a public governor in September 2024 for a term of three years.

Having emigrated from the USA in 1998, Tim has lived in Exeter ever since. He started his career as a US naval officer having served aboard surface ships and as an exchange officer with the Royal Navy. He has had a wide-ranging career in the nuclear industry, healthcare and business consulting, telecommunications and delivering major IT transformation projects for UK government departments. Tim received his MBA from the University of Exeter, and still maintains links with the university as a mentor to undergraduates and graduates in the business school. He is an enthusiastic volunteer with the Exeter Riverside parkrun and is keen to be enjoying many of the outdoor activities readily available in Devon and Cornwall.

Maureen was elected as a public governor in April 2025 for a term of three years

Maureen trained as a nurse and a midwife locally and following her clinical career founded her own healthcare related businesses. She is now an experienced business owner and leader with over 40 years’ experience in health and social care within the public, private and charitable sectors.

She has developed expertise in technology enabled care, focused on delivering lifesaving services to older people through embracing technological change.

Maureen enjoys having family nearby and is most interested in living well, including exercise in her daily life. She also takes a particular interest in growing and using herbs.

Jacqueline was elected as a public governor in April 2025 for a term of three years

Jacqueline’s NHS career was comprehensive, from Great Ormond Street Hospital Paediatric Intensive Care Unit sister, to public health as health visitor, taking those experiences to manage Integrated Children’s Services in Surrey.  She was lured to Devon to manage Children’s Services for Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital remaining clinically involved, participating in Advanced Paediatric Life Support training and developing the Children’s High Dependent Unit. Jacqueline moved to clinical commissioning in Primary Care Trusts and Peninsula Strategic Health Authority. She holds a post graduate certificate in Health and Social Care Service Improvement, reflecting her passion to enhance how complex agencies could work better together for babies, children, young people and families.

Circumstances necessitated time as a parent/carer which led to becoming a voluntary parent advisor with Young Minds, national working groups. She set up and co-facilitated a parent support group in Devon, working with Exeter University on parent participation Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (now known as NHS Talking Therapies).

Jacqueline worked as an independent consultant through that time often undertaking case reviews, investigations and training for the NHS in serious incidents, complex complaints, service improvement and safeguarding.

Matthew was elected as a public governor in April 2025 for a term of two years

Dr Matthew Tanner brings a lifelong appreciation for the NHS and a deep commitment to championing patient voices and communication. As someone who has relied on NHS care throughout his life, he is passionate about giving back to the service that has supported him. With over 30 years of leadership experience including as Chief Executive of the SS Great Britain Trust, Matthew brings expertise in governance, strategic planning, and public engagement.

Now working for his own business as a consultant partner helping organisations to develop strategies for public value, he offers an independent patient perspective, unaffiliated with NHS employment, and aims to be a true “Patient’s Champion.” Residing in Countess Wear, he enjoys sailing and exploring Devon’s coastline. He is committed to ensuring that patients’ experiences are central to the Trust’s decisions, and to protecting the NHS for future generations.

Elizabeth was elected as a public governor in April 2025 for a term of two years

Elizabeth worked in the NHS for many years specializing in orthopaedics and general surgery. Later, she transitioned to management roles in industrial occupational health and safety and environment sectors in Norfolk. She was national clinical auditor for St John Ambulance working in conjunction with the CQC for the development of clinical audits for ambulance services. Earlier roles were as a director for the former Hospital Savings Association,  a public governor for the Norfolk and Suffolk Mental Health Foundation and director of Devon Healthwatch.

Elizabeth is a Commander of the Order of St John and member of the ceremonial team for investitures, London. A member of both the Patient and Public Involvement Engagement (PPIE) University of Exeter and Patient Participation Group (PPG) Dawlish, she also enjoys the activity of being a team member for the local RNLI.   Elizabeth brings to the role a wealth of knowledge working in the NHS at all levels and looks forward to supporting the work of the Trust that has so kindly supported her over the past few years.