ABDO member appointed to GOC council

William Stockdale

ABDO member, William Stockdale, has been appointed as a new registrant council member of the General Optical Council (GOC).

William Stockdale is a contact lens and dispensing optician with 30 years’ clinical and business experience in Northern Ireland. He is the former chair of Optometry Northern Ireland and has held a non-executive position with the Federation of Ophthalmic and Dispensing Opticians, the Association for Eye Care Providers.

Also newly appointed by the GOC Privy Council is Ken Gill as a lay member. Ken is a chartered accountant and the vice chair of the Board at the Countess of Chester NHS Foundation Trust. He has also held non-executive positions at the General Medical Council, Council of the Inns of Court, Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, and Study Portals and has significant senior experience in the education sector, including as CEO of the Northern Consortium United Kingdom.

Ken and William join the GOC Council as it continues to deliver its Fit for the Future strategy. As part of council, they will “help to ensure the GOC 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”.

Dr Anne Wright CBE, GOC chair of the council, welcomed both appointments, saying: “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.”

William 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 eyecare for the public.”

William and Ken will begin their roles on 1 January 2023.