GOC appoints Adam Sampson as Interim Chief Executive and Registrar

The General Optical Council (GOC) has today announced that Adam Sampson will join as its Interim Chief Executive and Registrar.

Adam will join the GOC on 18 June and be in place for the next few months. The GOC’s permanent Chief Executive, Vicky McDermott, is currently on a period of absence due to personal reasons.

Adam is an experienced Chief Executive with an extensive background in the charity and not-for-profit sectors. His previous roles include being Chief Legal Ombudsman and Chief Executive of the homelessness charity Shelter.

Gareth Hadley, GOC Chair, said, “Adam has the experience and expertise to provide the leadership the GOC requires while Vicky is away. He will ensure we maintain a strong focus on delivering our core public protection functions to the highest possible standard, on delivering our vital changes to business standards, CET and optical education, and on delivering our organisational transformation programme to deliver high-quality, efficient services to the public and our registrants.”

Adam Sampson said, “I am joining the GOC at what is clearly an exciting and important time for the organisation and for the optical sector as a whole. With new technology, changing patient pathways and new scopes of practice, the sector is evolving quickly and the GOC has a vital role in making sure that patient safety is maintained through that period. I’m looking forward to working with my new colleagues to make sure the GOC continues with this vital work until Vicky returns.”