Marsha de Cordova MP among new fellows honoured by College of Optometrists

The College of Optometrists recognised 11 individuals at its annual diploma ceremony on 18 November

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A large formal ceremony takes place in a grand hall. Rows of people wearing black robes with yellow trim sit on tiered wooden seating onstage. At the centre, a person in similar robes stands at a podium, addressing the audience. In front of them, three robed panelists sit at a long table covered with a black cloth. The audience is seated in the foreground, mostly in shadow.

College of Optometrists

27 November 2025

Marsha de Cordova MP has been made an Honorary Fellow of the College of Optometrists.

De Cordova, who is the Labour MP for Battersea and chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Eye Health and Visual Impairment, was awarded the honorary title during the College’s diploma ceremony in Westminster on 18 November.

The College of Optometrists called de Cordova “a long-standing champion of disability rights.”

Honorary Fellowships are awarded by the College to those who are involved in the wider eye healthcare and vision science professions.

The fellowships recognise individuals’ outstanding contribution either to optometry or to the College of Optometrists itself.

De Cordova was amongst five individuals made Honorary Fellows during the ceremony.

Also recognised were Cecilia Fenerty, a consultant ophthalmologist and glaucoma specialist at Manchester Royal Eye Hospital; Andrew Kitchen, chief finance officer at Insight Investment, who has served as a co-opted lay trustee of the College of Optometrists, Helen Perkins, the former clerk of the Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers, who has recently retired, and Liz Tomlin, head orthoptist at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, who is also a trustee at the British and Irish Orthoptics Society.

All of those recognised are now entitled to use the honorific HonFCOptom after their names.

Two smiling adults in formal academic-style robes stand side by side indoors, each holding a framed certificate. They are positioned in front of banners featuring an emblem with two lions. The person on the left has light-colored hair cut to shoulder length, and the person on the right has dark hair and a beard. Both are at the College of Optometrists diploma ceremony

College of Optometrists

Liz Tomlin and Professor Ed Mallen at the College of Optometrists diploma ceremony on 18 November

Life Fellowships, awarded either for contribution to the College or to the optometry profession, were presented to John Dixon Salt, a founding College of Optometrists fellow, who retired in 2019; Richard Edwards, the recently retired consultant to the Optical Consumer Complaints Service; David O’Sullivan, chief optometric adviser to the Welsh Government; Professor Edward Mallen, professor of physiological optics at the University of Bradford and chair of the College of Optometrists’ Research Committee, and Dr Mary-Ann Sherratt, head of optometry at Bristol Eye Hospital.

The College also awarded a posthumous Life Fellowship to optometrist Stephen Perry Clark, whose 40-year career the College said “combined clinical excellence, professional leadership and service to vulnerable populations.”

The diploma ceremony welcomed more than 450 new optometrists to the profession, as well as celebrating members who have achieved higher qualifications and research excellence awards.

Three new Fellowships by Portfolio were also awarded during the day, to optometrists Kris Cottier, David Jameson, and Sheeraz Janjua.

Fellowship by Portfolio are awarded for outstanding contributions to furthering excellence in the practice of optometry in the workplace.

Dr Gillian Rudduck, president of The College of Optometrists, said: “I’d like to extend my congratulations on behalf of the College to our new Fellows.

“Fellowship of The College of Optometrists recognises exceptional individuals for their dedication, expertise and contribution to the profession of optometry and eye care sector.”