Councillors celebrate their role on AOP Council as new appointments open

Applications for six designated positions on the Association of Optometrists (AOP) Council are open until 11 April.

Councillors contribute to the development of the AOP's policy work and member services and serve as representatives of the AOP’s membership.

Positions open for applications are:

• Academic optometrist
• Domiciliary care optometrist
• Franchisee and Joint Venture partner
• Newly-qualified optometrist
• Pre-registration optometrist
• Undergraduate student.

Speaking on the value of his role and why he wanted to get involved, Habeeb Rahman, AOP Pre-registration optometrist Councillor, said: “Being involved with a lovely team of Councillors and being able to contribute to and help shape the profession has been extremely rewarding. I would encourage others to apply for the position as I have enjoyed being able to network with people who are high-up in their field and receive recognition from those I aspire to become.”

Paul Chapman-Hatchett, AOP Domiciliary optometrist Councillor, said: “My motivation for becoming a Councillor was primarily driven by a desire to advocate for the domiciliary sector and really try and make sure the domiciliary voice was heard as loudly as possible at a national level. There’s a real opportunity to make sure that the views and the concerns of the domiciliary provider are heard as well as those of the domiciliary patient.”

“I have enjoyed having the opportunity to listen to other Council members and understand what my peers were experiencing, and how between us all, we could help drive positive change in the profession.”

Ali Yasen, AOP Newly-qualified optometrist Councillor, said “As a Councillor, you serve as a sounding board that allows practitioners from all over the country, from all different walks of life, and all at different points in their career journeys, to share their experiences and help inform the AOP. It has been a real privilege to have the ability to help enact some professional change.”

Terms of office

• Domiciliary care optometrist, Academic optometrist, and Franchisee and Joint Venture partner - three years
• Newly-qualified optometrist – two years
• Undergraduate student and Pre-registration optometrist – one year.

The newly appointed Councillors will be welcomed to the Council at the June AGM.

Optometry Today (OT) covers AOP Councillors’ experiences of being on Council. For more information, visit OT.

To find out more about the Council appointments process and how to apply, visit www.aop.org.uk/appointments.

Ends

For more information, please contact Anjola Sulaiman, PR and Media Executive, at the Association of Optometrists, [email protected] or telephone 0207 549 2062.

Notes to Editors

Association of Optometrists

The Association of Optometrists (AOP) is the voice of the optical profession, representing over 80% of practicing optometrists. The AOP elevates the work of its members, safeguards their interests, and champions eye health across the UK. For more information, visit www.aop.org.uk

Optometry Today

Optometry Today (OT) has a readership of over 17,700 AOP members and subscribers in print and online. The OT ABC audit certificate is available online: www.abc.org.uk/product/5966-optometry-today. OT’s website offers daily news, interviews and in-depth features and analysis, plus exclusive access to over 42 CPD exams per year, including bi-monthly CPD video content. For more information, visit www.optometry.co.uk