Dian Taylor has been appointed General Optical Council chief executive and registrar after Council members accepted the recommendation of the appointments panel at a meeting last Thursday.
Taylor, who takes over with immediate effect, will oversee the reconstitution of the GOC Council. The Council is set to become smaller and more 'boardlike' with a maximum of 12 members from the current 28 in April this year.
The recruitment campaign for new board members is being overseen by the independent Appointments Commission.
Taylor was appointed GOC deputy registrar in 1989. She then took on additional responsibility as director of education in 1994. Since July 2008, she has been acting chief executive and registrar following the retirement of Peter Coe.
Commenting on her appointment, Taylor, said: 'I am delighted to have been given the opportunity to lead the GOC. The Council has been going through significant transformation, and it is an honour to be leading the organisation as those reforms come to fruition.'
GOC chairman Geoff Harrissaid:'Dian brings to the role 20 years' experience in regulation and optics. This will be invaluable as the Council moves forward.'