A campaign has been launched by the General Optical Council to recruit a lay and a registrant member to its Council.
Successful appointees will take up their posts from January 2015, replacing dispensing optician James Russell and lay member Morag Alexander who are due to complete their second terms of office.
The GOC said its Council was responsible for setting the organisation’s strategic direction and holding its executive to account. It comprises six registrant members and six lay members with the chair always one of the lay members.
Optometrists and dispensing opticians are both eligible to apply for the vacancy of registrant member.
GOC chair Gareth Hadley said: ‘Becoming a GOC Council member provides a unique chance to shape the future of optical regulation in the UK. We’re looking for candidates with a breadth of experience who will help us in our work of ensuring public safety.
‘This is a terrific opportunity and I urge anybody who wishes to get involved with our work to apply. This is a wonderful time to join us and shape our work, particularly our ongoing standards review project and our efforts to make our complaints process speedier and more efficient. I look forward to working with the successful candidates.
‘I would like to thank both James and Morag for their invaluable contributions to our work. Both have brought considerable experience to their respective roles and will be deeply missed. I thank both for their service to the Council and wish them the very best for the future.’
For those looking to apply, the closing date for applications will be September 29.