New president for College of Optometrists

Dr Gillian Rudduck, the new president of the College of Optometrists with Professor Leon Davis, immediate past president and new chair of the board

Dr Gillian Rudduck has been installed as the new president of the College of Optometrists.

Dr Ruddick is a consultant optometrist and head of eye support at Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS foundation trust.

Seven new council members were also announced at the AGM, held during Optometry Tomorrow on 29 April. Immediate past president, Professor Leon Davis, is now chair of the board. 

Gillian said: “It is an incredible privilege to be elected as president of the College of Optometrists and represent this amazing profession. I am immensely proud to call myself an optometrist and I have the highest respect for my colleagues. 

“I am delighted that I can represent them and continue the hard work already taking place to ensure optometrists across the UK are at the centre of eyecare delivery and that their skills and competencies are fully recognised and utilised.”

The new council members are:

• Seema Rauniar (Eastern)
• Chris Froment (North East)
• Dr Janis Orr (Scotland)
• Angela Whitaker (Wales)
• Yuan Gao (London)
• Kiren Hayre (South East)
• Irfan Razvi (West Midlands)

Other appointments announced at the AGM included Dr Irene Ctori, elected as vice president, and Dr Aleksandra Mankowska, treasurer. Joy Myint, Kathyrn Trimmer and Hassnain Safdar were elected as trustees.

See a full list of council members at College of Optometrists council.