GOC appoints two new council members

The General Optical Council (GOC) has confirmed the appointments of William Stockdale as a new registrant council member, and Ken Gill as a new lay council member. Both will begin their roles from 1 January 2023 having been appointed by the regulator’s Privy Council.

Contact lens and dispensing optician Stockdale has 30 years’ clinical and business experience in Northern Ireland, and is the former chair of Optometry Northern Ireland.

Gill is a chartered accountant and the vice chair of the Board at the Countess of Chester NHS Foundation Trust. He has also previously held non-executive positions at the General Medical Council, the Council of the Inns of Court, the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, and the Study Portals.

As part of GOC council, Stockdale and Gill will support the regulator in ensuring it achieves its vision of “delivering world-class regulation and excellent customer service, while continuing its vital work of protecting the public by upholding high standards in the optical professions.”

Welcoming the appointments, chair of GOC council, Dr Anne Wright, said: “We are delighted to welcome Ken Gill and William Stockdale as our new council members. Ken’s financial experience and expertise will support us as the GOC navigates the challenging financial environment of the next few years, while William brings a wealth of knowledge about the optical sector, particularly in Northern Ireland. It was a very strong field, and we were grateful to everyone who applied for the roles.”

Speaking about his new role, Stockdale said: “At a time of unprecedented change within our profession, I am delighted to be joining the GOC council and look forward to the challenge of ensuring outstanding eye care for the public.”

Gill added: “I’m pleased to join the council as a lay member at a significant and interesting time of change for the sector. I look forward to working with the leadership of the GOC to ensure patients and the public are at the centre of what we do whilst delivering our statutory responsibilities.”