Board
Since its inception in 1956, the core structure of IA has been its body of volunteers. Volunteers who have lived the experience and understand what life is like after surgery.
Using their own skills and knowledge, not only in terms of their medical history but also their varied career paths, IA’s board enjoys a rich and varied set of people who have a common aim; to develop, improve and promote the wellbeing of people with an ileostomy or an internal pouch.
Following a restructure in 2018, IA became a company limited by guarantee. Remaining true to its heritage as a registered charity, and a core set of volunteers with the lived experience, IA’s Board continues to put its members and those living with an ileostomy or internal pouch at the heart of everything it does.
Having that unique insight enables our Board members to think passionately about the decisions they make knowing their own similar journey has led them there.
IA’s Board, headed up by the Chair of the Board and a team of Trustees, oversees the strategic direction of the charity and manages its assets. IA is fortunate to enrich its Board with healthcare professionals who have either a stoma care nursing or surgical background, who can offer a medical insight and liaison into the medical professionals who support people that are undergoing, or have undergone, surgery.
In an honorary position, IA has been privileged to have a prestigious surgeon undertake the role of National President since Bryan Brooke took on the role of founding President in 1956. IA’s fifth and current National President is Professor Gordon L. Carlson CBE BSc (Hons), MB ChB (Hons), MD, FRCS, FRCS(Gen), FRCSEd (Ad Hom).
The Board meets four times per year in addition to IA’s Annual General Meeting where the Board and the voting members, one from each of IA’s local groups, discuss the business of the charity and vote on important matters.
Many of our Trustees are also committee members of their local IA groups and, as such, continue to represent the patient voice across the whole of the organisation. Reporting in to the Board are a small complement of staff, headed up by IA’s CEO, who manage the daily activities of the charity and ensure its smooth running and compliance with regulation.
In addition to the main Board, IA has a series of sub committees who oversee some of the many functions that IA perform such as visiting, research, internal pouch, Young IA and communications. Each of these sub committees make recommendations to the board who decide on the resulting actions.
Click any of the images below to read more about the roles of our trustees and their individual profile.