GOC deputy registrar Dian Taylor is to become acting registrar and chief executive of the Council following Peter Coe's retirement in July 2008.
As reported in Optician, (News, March 14), Coe said he would retire from the post on reaching his 60th birthday in July. Following this announcement, Council members discussed his replacement during a confidential session at a meeting in Belfast last week.
The GOC said there was a unanimous decision that Taylor should take the role until a permanent replacement for Coe has been appointed.
GOC chairman Rosie Varley welcomed this decision. 'Members have expressed their full confidence in Dian's ability to lead the GOC through a period of significant change,' she said.
Varley also paid tribute to Coe's achievements, and added: 'Peter has done an incredible job in modernising the GOC and building the foundations for our current programme of reform.'
Commenting on his departure, Coe said: 'It's been a privilege to have been part of the GOC for the past seven and half years, during a time of fundamental reform both the optical sector and the world of regulation. It will be a wrench to leave, but I am looking forward to some new and exciting personal challenges.'