GOC assigns new council members

The General Optical Council (GOC) appointed William Stockdale as registrant council member, and Ken Gill as lay council member.

Stockdale is a contact lens and dispensing optician with 30 years’ clinical and business experience in Northern Ireland, as well as former chair of Optometry Northern Ireland.

Gill is a chartered accountant and the vice chair of the Board at the Countess of Chester NHS Foundation Trust and has had roles at various medical councils across the UK.

Dr Anne Wright, GOC chair of council, welcomed them and said: ‘Ken’s financial experience and expertise will support us as the GOC navigates the challenging financial environment of the next few years, while William brings a wealth of knowledge about the optical sector, particularly in Northern Ireland. It was a very strong field, and we were grateful to everyone who applied for the roles.’