Obituary Gareth Hadley

The death of Former GOC Chairman 2013-2021 has been announced 

The former Chair Gareth Hadley has sadly died after a short illness. (April 7th) 

Gareth was Chair of the GOC Council from February 2013 until February 2021, steering significant 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.

An online remembrance page is available for those who wish to share memories and tributes to Gareth.

Former 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.”

FODO’s David Hewlett posted: “Gareth will be missed by everyone who knew him, including many of us at FODO. He brought focus and energy to reform at the GOC and was a warm and generous man with a deep sense of humanity. He also had many good stories to tell from his previous posts in the railways and prison service, always with warmth and a great sense of fun. We have lost a great public servant and the Savile Club one of its best bon viveurs and raconteurs.”

ED: Gareth Hadley and I had many discussions during his time as Chair at the GOC and he always made time for our questions about regulations and the Vision Sector in general. As has been said he was the very best of companions and made every meeting whether professional or social a memorable and entertaining event. I can’t believe I am writing this obituary for a person who was so full of life and always looking forward. He will be deeply missed. (Bob Hutchinson)