Vision Care appoints new chair and vice chair to “drive ambitious growth”

Vision Care has appointed a charity leader with 30 years of experience and an optometrist and Optical Consumer Complaints Service (OCCS) clinical adviser as its new chair and vice chair, respectively.

Emma Low, who has three decades of experience in charities including Crisis, Asthma UK and Diabetes UK, has been appointed chair of the charity’s board of trustees.

Low’s small charity expertise includes developing sustainable funding strategies and strengthening organisational governance.

She replaces Vision Care’s founder, Elaine Styles, who will remain a trustee of the charity.

Low took up her position in December 2025. She is joined by optometrist, Paul Chapman-Hatchett, as the charity’s new vice chair.

Alongside working as a clinical adviser at the OCCS, Chapman-Hatchett is a former AOP Board member and has previously co-chaired the Domiciliary Eyecare Committee.

The appointments have been made in order to assist in driving “ambitious growth” as Vision Care aims to expands its impact and challenges systemic barriers to eye care.

The charity is campaigning for changes to the General Ophthalmic Services contract, which would extend eligibility for free eye tests and glasses to people experiencing homelessness.

Over the past year, Vision Care volunteers have provided 1107 free eye examinations and dispensed 1399 pairs of glasses to people experiencing homelessness in the UK.

Eyes on the future

Vision Care’s recently launched five-year strategy focuses on becoming the leading authority on eye care for people experiencing homelessness, removing barriers through policy influence and research, and facilitating direct delivery of eye care services.

Low and Chapman-Hatchetts' priorities include gathering “the best possible team of trustees and leaders to deliver this ambitious strategy,” Low said.

She added: “My role is to ensure our CEO, Hannah Telfer, has the support, resources and governance framework to make this strategy become a reality – all eyes are on a future UK where no one is denied the right to sight because of their housing status.”

Low also praised the “remarkable energy and determination” shown by Styles and her Vision Care co-founder, Harinder Paul.

“As most recent chair, Elaine’s optical experience and leadership has been a true ‘north star’, and both Paul and I are determined to build on these strong foundations with equal ambition,” Low said.

“The board has elected us at a pivotal moment – as the charity strives to deliver on a bold strategy that will establish Vision Care as the leading authority on eye care for people experiencing homelessness.”

Low added: “I look forward to working with all our supporters, partners, volunteers and the optical organisations who make our work possible.

“Together, we will ensure Vision Care has the impact and influence this vital cause deserves.”

Styles noted that stepping down from Vision Care felt “like a natural moment to reflect on the journey of the organisation and the progress we have made together.”

“As one of the founders, I have had the privilege of seeing the charity grow from an idea driven by compassion into an organisation delivering meaningful impact to people experiencing homelessness,” she said.

“The work has been powered by hundreds of passionate, committed volunteers. Their professionalism and belief in the cause sit at the very heart of Vision Care, and I am deeply grateful for everything they have given.”

Styles added: “We have built strong partnerships across the optical community and with charities across the homelessness services sector, which have greatly enhanced our reach.

“I step aside with confidence in the charity’s future and look forward to seeing it continue to grow and thrive.”