Optometry Wales Chair to stand down and take up General Optical Council role

Optometry Wales Chair to stand down and take up General Optical Council role

The General Optical Council (GOC) has appointed Lisa Gerson as a new registrant member to its Council.

Lisa, a qualified optometrist, joins the GOC after more than two years as Chair of Optometry Wales.

Lisa, who lives in Cardiff, Wales, will begin her term on 1 May 2021, replacing Helen Tilley whose tenure ends on 30 April 2021. Lisa has significant experience in optometric regulation with the GOC, previously serving as a registrant member of the fitness to practise panel, member and Acting Chair of the Investigation Committee, as well as being a member of the Education Visitor Panel.

Lisa currently supervises student clinics at Cardiff University, and has more than thirty years’ experience of working in optometry in Wales, having worked in both independent and larger multiple practices for most of her professional career.

During her tenure at Optometry Wales, Lisa has implemented substantive changes to the governance of the Board, overseen the formation of the newly incorporated Regional Optical Committees (ROCs), and initial contract reform modelling during a turbulent time for the profession grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr Anne Wright CBE, GOC Chair of Council, said: “I am delighted to welcome Lisa to the GOC. I am confident that Lisa will bring a wealth of skills and experience to Council, along with insight into the optical sector in Wales. Lisa will be a tremendous asset to the GOC and will bolster the work that our Council undertakes to shape our future strategic direction.”

Sali Davis, CEO of Optometry Wales, commented: “Lisa has demonstrated strong commitment and integrity in the way that she has revolutionised the way that Optometry Wales conducted itself with a new, diverse and more inclusive approach to Chairmanship.

“Lisa’s skillset will be a complement to the work of our Regulator, and Lisa managed with skill and expertise to navigate Optometry Wales through the last 12 months, to steer us towards a very bright future.”