The Society of Merchant Venturers

Membership

Membership is by invitation to men and women who are prominent in the business and commercial life of the greater Bristol area, and who are prepared to give their time and skills in support of the Merchant Venturers’ objectives.

All the members meet together four times a year at what is known as Quarterly Hall, and again on Charter Day in November.

The Merchant Venturers are governed by the Master and two Wardens. They head a 15-strong Standing Committee of members who are elected annually on Charter Day, 10th November.

Day-to-day administration is carried out by the Treasurer, who is effectively the chief executive. He is advised as necessary by the Clerk, who is a lawyer.

Current Members

Dr. Jacqueline M Cornish, OBE, MBChB, FRCP
Dr Jacqueline Cornish trained at the University of Bristol Medical School and specialises in the treatment of Childhood Cancer and Leukaemia at the Bristol Royal Hospital for Children. She is a Consultant in Paediatric Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) and Director of the Unit. She is also Head of Division, Women’s and Children’s Services, United Bristol Healthcare Trust. This is the largest Division with 2000 staff, 46 clinical services and an annual budget of £80M.

Jacqueline has an extensive National and International Lecture programme and sits on Boards in the UK and Europe, including Advisory Boards to the Department of Health. She was the first Chair and current Board Member of the UK Paediatric Bone Marrow Transplant Group and sits on the Medical Research Clinic Childhood Leukaemia Working Party. She is active on the Executive Boards of the European BMT Paediatric Diseases Working Party and JACIE, the Accreditation body of BMT Units in Europe.

Jacqueline was awarded the OBE in 2003 for services to Paediatric Medicine and she became a member of the Society of Merchant Venturers in 2007, has been elected as a Governor of Colston’s Girls School and sits on its Academic Committee.

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