General Optical Council

Council members

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  • Anna Bradley - Chair

    Picture of Anna Bradley - Chair

    Anna Bradley lives in Colchester. Anna is chair of the Soil Association Certification Limited, and the Council of Licensed Conveyancers. She is also a member of the board of Addaction and of Colchester University Foundation Trust Board.

    Past roles include:

    • Divisional director for the Financial Services Authority (FSA)
    • Chief executive for the National Consumer Council (NCC)
    • Chief executive for the Institute for the Study of Drug Dependence (ISDD)
    • Member and non-executive posts include: chairman of the Communications Consumer Panel; Soil Association organic standards board, DEFRA Independent Review of Avian Quarantine; DEFRA Science Advisory Council and chair of the DEFRA Science Advisory Council Horizon Scanning Programme; member of the Biotechnology Commission; member of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs; trustee of the Patients’ Association
    • Member roles on a range of advisory groups including: Department of Trade and Industry, Cabinet Office, Camelot, Economic and Social Research Council and the King’s Fund
       

     

  • Morag Alexander OBE

    Picture of Morag Alexander OBE

    Morag Alexander OBE lives in Edinburgh. Morag is the former chair of the statutory Scotland Committee of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, and a former board member of the GB body. In 2001, Morag was awarded an OBE for her contribution to equal opportunities in Scotland.

    Background

    • Founding convener (chair) of the Scottish Social Services Council, the professional regulator for the social work and social care workforce in Scotland
    • Member posts with: member of court, Queen Margaret University Edinburgh; Care Commission Scotland
    • Researcher, editor and freelance journalist for various organisations
    • Founding director for Training 2000: Scottish Alliance for Women’s Training
    • Chair of Fair Play Scotland
    • Director for Scotland of the Equal Opportunities Commission
    • Member posts with: Turning Point Scotland; Partnership for a Parliament; Scottish Senate of the Windsor Meetings; Committee of Inquiry into Student Finance; Expert Panel on Procedures and Standing orders in the Scottish Parliament; Women’s Advisory Group to Scottish ministers
    • Chair of the Early Years Advisory Group of Children in Scotland.

  • Paul Carroll

    Picture of Paul Carroll

    Paul Carroll lives in Lancashire. A qualified optometrist, Paul is Director of Professional Services for Specsavers.

    Background

    • Graduated from Aston University in 1987 with a BSc Honours in Optometry and Vision Science and completed an MBA in 2002
    • Immediate past chairman of the Federation of Ophthalmic and Dispensing Opticians
    • Past chairman of JOCEU
    • Member of the Department of Health working groups (non-medical revalidation; tackling concerns locally sub-group)
    • Founded Anglia Distance Learning Ltd
    • Honorary visiting fellow for Anglia Ruskin University
    • Previous posts include: external examiner for City University; examiner for the College of Optometrists professional qualifying examinations; and business advisor to the GOC’s Education Committee.

  • Brian Coulter OBE

    Picture of Brian Coulter OBE

    Brian Coulter OBE lives in Northern Ireland. He is currently a non-executive member of the Human Tissue Authority, and a former member of the Independent Tribunal Service. In 2003, Brian was awarded an OBE for his services to Social Housing in Northern Ireland.

    Background

    • Prisoner Ombudsman for Northern Ireland
    • Chief executive and company secretary of the FOLD GROUP Ltd
    • Assistant Director of Social Services for the Eastern Health and Social Services Board
    • In 1985 was awarded a European Fellowship to study services for older persons in Scandinavia
    • Public appointment roles include: founder chairman of the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (the statutory regulator for Health and Social Services in Northern Ireland); chairman of the Eastern Health and Social Services Council; member of the General Dental Council; chairman of Northern Ireland Federation of Housing Associations; Director of Prospects, and past secretary for Lisburn Abbeyfield Society; chairman of Parkview Special School board of governors; member of Lisburn YMCA Steering Group.
       

  • Peter Douglas

    Picture of Peter Douglas

    Peter Douglas lives in East Sussex. Peter is currently: a member of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council audit committee (BIS); non- executive director and audit chair of NHS East Sussex Downs and Weald PCT; member of Ashridge Business School audit committee; non-executive director and audit chair of the National Measurement Office (BIS); clerk to the Taxation Disciplinary Tribunal; member of the ACCA disciplinary and regulatory committees; consultant to StoneTurn Group LLP; and member of the Bar Standards Board Standards Committee.

    Background

    • Former National Managing Partner, HLB Kidsons
    • Former member of the Health Professions Council
    • Former Director of Professional Standards, Chartered Institute of Management Accountants.
       

  • Rob Hogan

    Picture of Rob Hogan

    Rob Hogan lives in Leicestershire. Rob is Head of Professional Services for Boots Opticians.

    Background

    • Graduated from Aston University in 1980 and completed a PhD in 1985
    • Immediate past president of the College of Optometrists.
    • Immediate past-chairman of DOCET, examiner for the College’s Professional Qualifying Examinations; and trustee of the European Academy of Optometry and Optics
    • Member roles include: College of Optometrists Governance Group; Electoral College of the College of Optometrists; executive of Vision 2020 UK; JOCEU; FODO Education and Professional Standards Committee.
       

     

  • Kevin Lewis

    Picture of Kevin Lewis

    Kevin Lewis lives in Essex. As an independent optometrist, Kevin is currently the sole trader and principal optometrist with Euin Steele & Partners Optometrists; and K Lewis & Partners Optometrists. He is a pre-registration student adviser and mentor at the College of Optometrists, and a board member on the Board of Trustees.

    Background

    • Graduated from City University in 1977
    • Past president of the College of Optometrists
    • Senior examiner for the College’s Professional Qualifying Examinations
    • Qualified fellow of the British Optical Association; fellow of The Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers; and foundation fellow of the College of Optometrists
    • Gained an Advanced Diploma in Contact Lens Practice in 1981
    • Chair posts with the Essex Optical Society, the British Association of the Young Optometrists, and honorary course convenor/adviser to the Pre-Registration Course Organisation.
       

  • Liam Kite

    Picture of Liam Kite

    Liam Kite lives in Lincolnshire. He is currently senior lecturer in optometry and ophthalmic dispensing, Pathway Leader in ophthalmic dispensing and Admissions Tutor at Anglia Ruskin University. Liam is also a member of the Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO).

    Background

    • Graduated from the Association of British Dispensing Opticians Distance Learning Institute in 1987
    • Practical and theoretical examiner for ABDO
    • Past course tutor for the ABDO Distance Learning Institute
    • Course tutor for the Worshipful Company of Spectacle Manufacturers
    • Liam coaches the local rugby club in his spare time.
       

  • Fiona Peel OBE

    Picture of Fiona Peel OBE

    Fiona Peel OBE lives in Cardiff and has been involved in NHS Wales in a non-executive capacity for over 20 years. She is chair of the Cancer Services Co-ordinating Group for Wales and the Cardiac Network Co-ordinating Group. She is a lay member of Cardiff University Council. In 2001, Fiona was awarded an OBE for services to the NHS.

    Background

    • Lay member of the General Medical Council
    • Chair of the Merger Commission for the Cardiff University and UWCM
    • Chair of the Gwent Health Authority
    • Council member for University of Wales College of Medicine.
    • Chair of Gwent Community Health Trust 
    • Director of the Gwent Training and Enterprise Council

  • Nicholas (Nick) Rumney

    Picture of Nicholas (Nick) Rumney

    Nicholas Rumney lives in Hereford. He is a qualified optometrist and presently managing director of BBR Optometry Ltd, and director of Monnow Eyecare Ltd. Nick is a visiting lecturer at the University of Manchester.

    Background

    • Graduated Cardiff 1980 with a BSc Hons
    • Graduated Melbourne (Australia) MScOptom in 1986
    • Fellow of the College of Optometrists
    • Senior examiner for the College of Optometrists
    • Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry
    • Fellow of the British Contact Lens Association
    • Member of the American Academy of Optometry International Admissions Committee
    • Active in the delivery of continuing education to optometrists
    • Clinical interests include: low vision, primary care, therapeutics and clinical instrumentation.
       

  • James Hanfield Russell

    Picture of James Hanfield Russell

    James Russell lives in Canterbury. He currently works in practice for Boots Opticians as a contact lens optician.

    Background

    • Past president of the Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO)
    • Past chairman of the ABDO in Scotland, where he also served as a member of local optometric committees
    • Student dispensing optician and contact lens tutor for Dollond & Aitchison.
    • Part-time contact lens and ophthalmic dispensing lecturer at ABDO College
    • Founder Fellow of the European Academy of Optometry and Optics
    • Liveryman of the SMC
    • UK and overseas examiner for the practical qualifying ABDO examination
    • Vice-Chairman of the Eyecare Trust
       

  • Selina Ullah

    Picture of Selina Ullah

    Selina Ullah lives in Keighley and is currently working as a consultant and community advisor.

    • Until July 2011, she was Assistant Director – Safer and Stronger Communities, at Bradford Metropolitan District Council.
    • Her voluntary posts include being a founder member of the Bradford Muslim Women’s Council.
    • Founding member and director of an international organisation which focuses on developing inter-cultural leaders and dialogue.
    • Council member at the University of Bradford
    • Chair of the Keighley Association for Women and Children.