Today, the College of Paramedics would like to extend a warm welcome to our new Trustee for Professional Standards, Fauziya Lakhi, and new Eastern member representative, Helen Hardy.

Six candidates stood for the Professional Standards Trustee position while three candidates put themselves forward for the Eastern member representative role.

Fauziya said: “I’m delighted to join the College as a Trustee (Professional Standards). The College has already done some brilliant work on professional development and I’m excited to build upon this, particularly working on leadership development and paramedic wellbeing to ensure a supportive environment for all members.

“I decided to stand for election as a Trustee as I couldn’t see myself represented in the organisation’s governance – and I’m so glad I did! I hope this encourages other under-represented members to get involved as well.”

Helen admitted it was a real privilege to have been chosen to represent members from across the Eastern region on the Paramedic Council.

She said: “I'm hoping to work with the outgoing member representative, Graham Clark, over the next few weeks during the handover period and I would like to take this opportunity to thank him for his commitment to the College and members whilst he's been in this role.”

Helen added: “I'll be networking across the area and invite you to contact me to say hello and suggest ways that the College can support you. 
“I'll be listening and speaking on your behalf.  Thank you once again for your confidence in me as your new representative and I look forward to serving you in the East and contributing to the development of our exciting profession.”

In addition to the Professional Standards Trustee position, full members also had the opportunity to stand as Trustees for Research, Membership and Communication, Education and Honorary Treasurer.
In the cases of Research and Membership and Communication, the election was uncontested so the incumbents, Georgette Eaton (Research) and Richard Webber (Membership and Communication) continue in their respective roles for a second and final term until 2024.

Vince Clarke, the existing Trustee for Education won the vote and will also continue in the role until 2024.

Unfortunately, there were no candidates for the position of Honorary Treasurer, but we hope this will change when we go out for candidates again this week. 
Full members of the College of Paramedics are eligible to stand as a candidate to be a Trustee when a position becomes available. Trustee candidates are voted on by Congress members, meaning both the Board of Trustees and the Paramedic Council.

As the governing body of the College of Paramedics, the Board of Trustee is legally responsible for the College as a charity, they have an oversight role and seek assurance from the Chief Executive that the organisation is legally and financially sound and complying with its charitable purpose, outlined in the College charitable objects. Individual Trustees also have portfolio responsibilities of providing constructive and supportive critical observation of specified College workstreams.

The Paramedic Council is the collective voice for the members and the communities they represent, ensuring that the members’ voice is ever-present in shaping the strategic direction and vision of the College. The Council, which has representatives from across the UK, also plays a leading role in helping to build on the College’s existing work and future of the profession.