Former General Optical Council chair Gareth Hadley has passed away after a short illness.
Hadley was chair of the GOC Council from February 2013 until February 2021, steering projects such as the Education Strategic Review, reforms to continuing professional development, and the publication of the first ever set of professional standards for registrants.
He was also chair of the Prison Opticians Trust and a liveryman at the Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers.
Former GOC chief executive and registrar Lesley Longstone said: ‘Gareth will be sorely missed for his absolute focus on strategic reform of our regulatory functions, and ultimately his contribution to eye care safety. But I will miss him for his warm friendship and enduring support through massive periods of change, not least during the early stages of the pandemic.’
Current chief executive and registrar Leonie Milliner added: ‘Gareth was a spirited, kind, and generous chair, and he will be much missed by staff, Council and members. His support and encouragement for the GOC, even beyond his tenure as chair, was exemplary and he was well-respected both in the optical sector and among healthcare regulators.’