GOC appoints new director of fitness to practise

The General Optical Council (GOC) has appointed Lisa Davis as its new director of fitness to practise, replacing outgoing director of regulation Mandie Lavin.

Lisa, a qualified barrister, takes up her new role having previously been GOC head of fitness to practise. Prior to joining the GOC, Lisa worked within fitness to practise at the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) first as an advocate and then as case progression manager.

GOC chief executive and registrar Samantha Peters said, “I am delighted to announce the appointment of Lisa Davis to the new role of director of fitness to practise. Lisa brings tremendous experience and knowledge of fitness to practise proceedings. I, and the rest of our staff and Council members, look forward to working more closely with Lisa and am excited to see the new ideas Lisa will bring on board.”

Lisa Davis said, “Fitness to practise is extremely important for public protection and I look forward to this new phase of my employment with the GOC. One of my biggest priorities will be to continue the work we have already started to speed up the FTP process in the interests of both patients and registrants.”

As part of her new duties, Lisa will be responsible for the oversight of the fitness to practise, legal compliance and hearings teams, as well as managing the GOC’s contractual relationship with the Optical Consumer Complaints Service.