RCOT governance

RCOT plays a crucial role in promoting the profession and meeting the professional needs of occupational therapy staff in the UK. We work to ensure the profession's rightful place in health and social care delivery and encourage our members to play an active role as ambassadors for the profession.

Our public benefit

As the professional body for occupational therapists in the UK and a registered charity, RCOT sets the standards for occupational therapy, providing leadership, guidance and information relating to research and development, education, practice and lifelong learning to members. In doing so, we continuously improve the quality of care to the people our members serve.

Our members provide life-changing support to people managing illness, injuries and a wide range of physical and mental health conditions. Uniquely, they enable people to carry out daily activities (occupations) which are essential for health and wellbeing. This vital support helps people recover, maintain and build new skills to enjoy a full and independent life.

More about our public benefit

We...

ensure the occupational therapy profession is focused on helping to improve the health and wellbeing of the UK population
make the public aware of how occupational therapy can benefit individuals and make a positive difference to their lives
provide membership support to ensure that users of occupational therapy services receive professional, evidence-informed services
ensure our members have access to continuing professional development guidance and advice that helps them to optimise their competencies and provide high-quality care for both service users and carers
constantly support our members, providing them with information to ensure excellence in their practice, and keeping them well informed so that they can anticipate and react to changing needs and demands.

Our Board of Trustees (link to RCOT Board of Trustees page) sets our strategy and monitors our performance to ensure we fulfil our charitable purposes for public benefit. We report on progress through our annual report and accounts.

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RCOT Board of Trustees

The Board of Trustees is responsible for the governance and strategy of RCOT. It is currently made up of nine Trustees who are occupational therapists elected by the membership. The Board can also recruit up to four additional lay members who can provide additional business skills and expertise as and when required.

Trustees are also registered as Directors with Companies House with the full responsibilities this carries.

Who are our Trustees?

Odeth Richardson, Chair
Dr Anita Atwal, Research and development
Paul Dunning, Wales
Neil Carnegie, Scotland
Aisling Durkin, Northern Ireland
Jacqueline Gordon, England
Janine Hackett, Learning and Development
Cathryn Holding, Industrial Relations
Dr Sureshkumar Kamalakannan, International Affairs

The Board of Trustees delegates responsibility for the day to day running of RCOT to the Chief Executive. It meets at least four times a year. Find out about upcoming meetings and read minutes.

Our committees

Audit, Investment and Risk Committee

Our Audit, Investment and Risk Committee, ensures accountability and compliance by overseeing RCOT’s audit processes, risk management, and investment strategy. It monitors internal controls, investigates potential risks, and reports annually to the Board. The committee also reviews and approves the investment policy and engages with external auditors.

The committee, on behalf of the board:

ensures there is a framework for accountability
implements the investment policy and oversees our investments
maintains the relationship with the auditors, including tendering for new auditors, and oversees the process for the annual statutory audit
advises on the charity’s banking arrangements
advises on the annual budget and plan
reviews all our systems and methods of control, compliance and risk management.

Committee Terms of Reference

Members of our People and Nominations Committee

Professor Patricia McClure (independent) (Chair)
Dr Anita Atwal (trustee)
Cathryn Holding (trustee)
Shahin Ismail (independent)
John Mills (independent)
Michael Stanes (independent)

People and Nominations Committee

Our People and Nominations Committee, plays a key part in our organisation’s governance, supporting both the BAOT Council (union and parent company) and RCOT Board of Trustees (charity and subsidiary). It provides strategic leadership and governance oversight of RCOT’s people strategy, ensuring alignment with organisational values and long-term success. It also leads on CEO and senior leadership appointments, remuneration, and succession planning, and advises on processes for nominations and elections to the BAOT Council and RCOT Board of Trustees.

The committee:

Oversees CEO appointment, succession planning, and SLT remuneration.
Monitors organisational culture, engagement, and alignment with the people strategy.
Ensures diversity, equity, and inclusion are embedded in recruitment and governance.

Committee Terms of Reference

Members of our People and Nominations Committee

Joanna Squire (independent) (Chair)
Odeth Richardson (trustee)
Jacqueline Gordon (trustee)
Christine Parkin Hughes (independent)

Find out more

Inside council and board

Our senior leadership team