Dr Jacqueline Cornish OBE

Member since 2007

Dr Jacqueline Cornish was a front-line clinician in the field of paediatric malignancy for over 35 years, latterly as Director of Paediatric Stem Cell Transplant at Bristol Royal Hospital for Children. She has also had more than 25 years experience of medical management in the NHS, from Head of Division of Women’s and Children’s Services at University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, through Regional roles, to the post of National Clinical Director for Children, Young People and Transition to Adulthood in NHS England, a position she held for 7 years up to 2019.

Since becoming a Member of the Society of Merchant Venturers in 2007, she served for 15 years on Education Committees, having been appointed to the Board of Colston's Girls' School (now Montpelier High School) and the Board of Venturers Trust since its inception.

Dr Cornish left her Education role at SMV to take up a position as Chair of the Society's Care for Older People Committee in 2021, and has been pleased not only to support the excellent Care Homes and Almshouse, but also to be pivotal to the development of a Strategic Direction for SMV's Care for Older People activities. It is crucial to note the significant national and local Social Care policies and funding complexities, but these are balanced by exciting local opportunities for partnership projects in the city.

As SMV enters a new phase, Dr Cornish hopes that her long experience with Children’s Services can be translated into advice for projects which will enhance the life chances of local children facing many environmental challenges, from crucial Early Years development, through school attainment to preparation for skilled employment. She is deeply committed to striving for improved outcomes in the physical and mental health of all children and young people, giving them and their families the optimal support to widen and achieve their goals.