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The council of governors is comprised of 25 seats. Meetings are chaired by Mark Lam, who is also chair of our trust board, acting as a vital link between the two bodies. Sneha Bedi is our lead governor.
Membership of the council is made up of:
- Three appointed members from local partners.
- Eight elected members from the patient constituency.
- Eight elected members from the public (Camden, Barnet, Enfield and Hertfordshire and rest of England) constituency.
- Six elected members from the staff constituency.
Our governors
Justin Alpha — staff constituency
Justin was elected to the council of governors in September 2023. He is a dedicated manual handling trainer with knowledge in biomechanics and exercise prescription.
Justin is passionate about health and safety, giving underrepresented voices a platform and promoting equality.
Sean Baine — public constituency
Sean has a background in senior management in local government and the voluntary sector.
He is concerned about health inequalities and wants to bring that concern to his role as governor. Sean is also interested in the connections between the three hospitals and primary care.
Sneha Bedi — patient constituency and lead governor
Sneha was elected as governor in October 2017. She is a local resident and patient of the trust. Sneha is experienced in leading global digital transformation programmes across various sectors.
After an injury, she started studying Pilates and teaches it in her free time.
Linda Bogod — patient constituency
Linda was elected to the council of governors in October 2020. She spent 20 years working in the financial services sector.
She has been a trustee of a large health and social care charity and she also works as a local magistrate.
Gisela Botelho — public constituency
Gisela was elected to the council of governors in September 2023. She has extensive experience of working in governance, performance and quality assurance in both the private and public sectors.
Inspired by the extraordinary work of the NHS during the COVID-19 pandemic, she is committed to making a contribution to her community by championing the needs, interests, views and opinions to ensure people’s voices are represented to inform and improve care and patient experience.
Alex Craggs - staff constituency
Alex qualified as a doctor in 2023 and joined the trust the same year.
Alex supervises University College London medical students, educates trainee pharmacists, and is helping run a national teaching programme across several medical schools..
Vivien Finch - public (rest of England) constituency
Vivien was a senior manager in a large state school and has a particular interest in how the trust’s public profile is managed beyond the local community.
She is a volunteer at the Medical Detection Dogs charity and a magistrate in London.
Suzanne Fine — public constituency
Suzanne is a qualified barrister and solicitor. For more than 20 years, she has worked for global law firms in senior HR roles supporting stakeholders and board members.
She is keen to give something back to the communities the trust serves by making sure their voice is heard.
Dov Gerber — patient constituency
Dov brings a wealth of experience in the voluntary sector, including the running of a welfare rights service for over 15 years.
He has also been a volunteer for a charity for teenagers at risk of social exclusion for 20 years, and is a mentor for vulnerable young men at risk of self-harm and suicide.
Jane Gizbert — public constituency
Jane has spent nearly 30 years working within the health and care system and medical research sector as head of profession in communications and marketing.
She is currently the director of communications at the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Jane has an excellent understanding of how the NHS operates and the challenge it faces.
Julian Goodkin — patient constituency
Julian was elected to the council of governors in September 2020. After a career working for IBM for 23 years, he then went on to run his own business selling and installing financial software.
Julian has found time to volunteer with helping children read in school, has been a leader of a local synagogue and helped raise funds for various charities.
Annette Heslop — staff constituency
Annette was elected to the council in October 2020. She has worked at the trust for many years and has seen a lot of changes.
She is a junior sister, but has other roles that support members of staff and patients in the trust. Annette has an interest in equality and diversity and wants to use her lived experience to make a difference.
Vijendra Ingle — staff constituency
Vijendra has been an esteemed ear, nose and throat (ENT) surgeon (SAS) at the Royal Free London for 15 years. He is the SAS representative for the ENT department and an appraiser for doctors at the Royal Free Hospital. He has also been a member of the north London head and neck cancer network for 13 years, and has lectured in ENT at prestigious Indian medical colleges.
Beyond medicine, Vijendra is an ECB cricket coach and founder and CEO of Maay Marathi UK.
Caroline Kniaz - public constituency
Caroline is a qualified medical doctor and has worked in the health technology sector. She is passionate about leveraging technology to improve care and outcomes.
Caroline is also committed to improving patient experiences with a focus on diversity and inclusion.
Tim Leaver — appointed governor
Tim was elected Enfield councillor for the Highfield ward in 2018 and joined the trust’s council of governors in November 2022. He is also a cabinet member for finance and procurement.
Tim is an entrepreneur and founder of start-up businesses in clinical diagnostics, personalised medicine, and life science sectors. He is also an experienced chartered accountant and non-executive director.
Natasha Leith-Smith — patient constituency
Natasha has a design and media background and has been a member of the fundraising committee at Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity since 2014. She is also an ambassador for the Royal Free Charity.
Natasha is passionate about improving patient experience and is an advocate for diversity and inclusion.
Alison Moore — appointed governor for Barnet Council
Alison is chair of Barnet Council’s health and wellbeing board.
She gained a PhD from the University of London, Middlesex Hospital Medical School, and had a career as a scientist and lecturer. She has been a councillor for the East Finchley ward since 1998.
Paul Phillips — staff constituency
Paul works as a security manager at the Royal Free Hospital. He has had an extensive protective services career. This began as a Royal Military Police officer and has experienced every facet of the industry.
Paul works closely with the local community, council, and metropolitan police. He has a close understanding of staff, to ensure they have a safe and happy working environment.
Jackie Robinson — staff constituency
Jackie was elected as a staff governor in 2023 and is currently working in the private patients’ unit. Jackie has previously managed a number of services at the
Royal Free Hospital.
She is a local resident and cares passionately about local services for local people.
Esther Samuels — public constituency
Esther was elected as public governor in 2019. She studied at The Sorbonne, The University of Birmingham, and University College London.
She has extensive experience of being a family carer and is passionate about patient experience, and the trust's engagement with patients and their families.
James Slater — appointed governor for Camden Council
James was elected as councillor for Kentish Town North in 2022 and joined our Council of Governors in 2024.
He studied at The London School of Economics and Political Science, and University College London. He works in Parliament as a researcher, and serves on the governing body of a local primary school.
Vishaal Virani — public constituency
Vishaal is doctor by background and attended the University College London Medical School. He now manages digital health technology and innovation for a FTSE 100 healthcare company.
Vishaal has previously worked as a management consultant and at a digital health startup, and is a co-founder of Doctorpreneurs, the global community for healthcare innovators.
Michelle Wayne — patient constituency
Michelle is a life-long local resident, the wife of a long-standing GP locally, and a qualified professional tennis coach and nordic walking leader.
She is trilingual, having worked in banks and schools, plus tutors and invigilates. Michelle is also a school governor and also loves her role in grandparent care.
Tatiana Votinova - patient constituency
Tatiana was elected as a governor in May 2024. As a patient of the trust's maternity services and a healthcare analyst, she blends personal and professional expertise.
Tatiana has a diverse background in medicine and business which fuels her enthusiasm for healthcare improvement, patient advocacy, and accountability.
Neil Wolstenholme — patient constituency
Neil was elected to the council of governors in September 2019. He has myeloma and AL amyloidosis. The Royal Free London saved Neil's life in 2015 and has continued to support his recovery.
He utilises his more than 30 years financial and commercial experience to engage positively in the council of governors and act as a strong advocate for patient, patient family, staff issues and needs.
