Why Alan Davies became a governor

Alan is one of our new governors, who joined the Trust in December 2024, as governor for Warrington and Halton. We caught up with him to find out more about why he wanted to become a governor.

What motivated you to stand for election to become a governor? 

A friend sent me the advert and suggested it was something I could do. She was aware I was keen to continue to serve the area as a volunteer. After reading all the information provided on the website, I wanted to put myself forward.  

Tell us about your connection with WHH?

Well actually, with the exception of the odd visit for a blood test, or visiting a friend or relative in hospital, very little. I have never been employed in the NHS or held any position in it. However, I felt this was a good thing as I was coming to the role without any preconceptions or opinions. 

What career / jobs / life experiences have you had that are relevant to your governor role?

I have had a very interesting career. Because of family circumstances I left school at 14 (I was a summer baby) with few qualifications and started work on an engineering company shop floor. From the beginning, I was acutely aware that unless I gained qualifications I would not progress so as well as holding down a full-time job I went to night school for some years gaining numerous qualifications. I was fortunate to progress and by 32 was Sales and Marketing Director for a large engineering company. However, I had always wanted to teach. So, at the age 38 with two young children, my wife went back to work so I could give up my job (and my salary, company car and expense account) to obtain a degree in education. I held a number of teaching roles eventually being appointed a National Leader of Education and my last substantive role was as Executive Head of Great Sankey High School. Over the years, I have also had a number of voluntary roles, including being a Commissioner for Scouting, Chair of Trustees for all Methodist Schools in the country, and for 21 years I was a magistrate and latterly Chair of the Bench for Cheshire. Currently I am Deputy Chair of Trustees for a college in London and Deputy Lieutenant of Cheshire. I think my own life experience and all my voluntary roles have enabled me to listen carefully, evaluate situations and use sound judgements. 

What do you think is the most important role a governor can play? And how are you enjoying the role so far?

It goes without saying that we need to acknowledge and thank the hard work done by so many but also, as a governor, we need to be critical friends and hold the non-executive directors to account. Governors need to provide a voice for all who are using the services provided and make the management aware of any tensions or problems. Governors also need to listen carefully to plans for the future and respond how they may impact on patients. We are all aware of the challenges being faced in the NHS, but we need to have a dogged determination to deliver the best we can and to constantly review what is going well and how we can improve.

I am enjoying the role but still battling with all the acronyms, getting continually lost at Warrington and Halton hospitals and still feeling like the ‘new boy’! These last few months have been a steep learning curve, but I am particularly enjoying visiting wards and patient areas at both hospitals and talking to patients, carers, and staff. 

What changes in the NHS that you see locally or nationally excite you?

There is no doubt the NHS continues to be under the microscope of the government, and we will need to see how that pans out in the future. Locally, we now have a new chief executive who is charged to bringing together Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Bridgewater Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and hopefully this will create an organisation that will be better placed to serve patients more effectively and create more opportunities for services to be provided in the community.