GOC announces three new Business Representatives on Companies Committee

The General Optical Council (GOC) has appointed Amit Sharma, Gordon Dingwall, and Giles Edmonds to its Companies Committee. In their role as Business Representatives, they will advise the Council and other committees on matters relating to business registrants.

Amit is a director of multiple independent optical practices within the Hakim Group. He was instrumental in establishing links with Ulster University to deliver independent prescriber training to a special cohort of over 100 people. Amit has extensive experience himself as an independent prescribing optometrist and is passionate about patient care by providing clinical excellence and tailored eye care products that meet each patient’s individual needs and life requirements. He brings a wealth of knowledge about independent optical practices to the role. Amit is committed to providing expert advice on key areas of the GOC’s work with selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty, and leadership, always keeping safety as the top priority.

Gordon joins the Companies Committee with 35 years of experience as a dispensing optician. He is the Head of Franchise and Property for Boots Opticians and serves as a registrant Director for them. Beyond this, he has held senior leadership positions within the retail and pharmacy industries, including at Essential Edinburgh and the Scottish Retail Consortium. Gordon holds a qualification from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, with further experience gained from roles in Human Resources and Learning & Development.

Giles is the Clinical Services Director for Specsavers. He joined the company in 2008 as Product Director, working his way up to his current role where he is responsible for the advancement and effective implementation of Specsavers’ clinical strategies in the UK, Ireland, and Spain. Giles is a qualified optometrist with an MBA and joint venture partner in three practices in the West Midlands. He is a member of the Optics and Newmedia Boards, and previously served as a director of FODO.

The varied experiences of our new Business Representatives will ensure the Companies Committee represents the range of businesses on our register. The Committee will advise on any proposed changes to GOC standards and their potential impact on business registration or regulation policies and procedures. It also provides guidance on policy and sector developments that affect the GOC’s business registration and regulation.

Amit, Gordon, and Giles started their appointed positions in February 2023.