Obituary: Kevin Thompson

OT is saddened to report the death of Kevin Thompson, a former AOP Chairman and Councillor for 18 years. 

Kevin was a passionate optometrist, practice owner and entrepreneur. A strong advocate for optometry, he served on the AOP’s Council between 2007 to 2025, working tirelessly to support and strengthen the profession.

Emma Spofforth, past AOP Chairman, who worked alongside Kevin on Council for more than a decade, described him as “such as kind person” who had “an amazingly jolly way of dealing with everything that came his way.”

“Today we have lost an amazing advocate for our profession. We should all remember what Kevin brought to us as his influence sits around our sector a great deal. I’ll miss him hugely,” Spofforth said.

Optometrist and former AOP Chairman, Mike George, remembered how Kevin “cared, fully and without hesitation.”

George, who served as vice chairman on Council alongside Kevin during his chairmanship, told OT: “I saw first-hand the warmth he brought into every room – a kindness that wasn’t performative, but natural. He cared about patients, about the profession, and most of all about his family, whom he spoke of with pride and love.”

George described how Kevin had a way of making people feel seen.

“He listened with full attention, remembered the details that mattered, and made you feel that your life genuinely interested him. Conversations with Kevin were never rushed, they were moments of connection and I can still hear his laughter in my mind – deep and distinctive – it makes me smile even now,” George said.

“Kevin leaves a legacy of compassion, integrity and care. The profession is richer for his leadership and those of us who knew him are richer for his humanity,” he added.

Retired optometrist and former AOP Chairman, Trevor Warburton, described Kevin as “a dynamo – full of energy and always pushing forwards.”

Warburton told OT: “Kevin was always keen to protect the profession and, in years past, he and I, along with Geoff Robertson, spent a lot of time developing and maintaining Quality in Optometry. We had a joint aim of defining elements of the GOS contract to restrict over-zealous and erratic enforcement.

“Always the entrepreneur, he would look for ways forward and solutions outside the box. It has been a pleasure and a privilege to have known and worked with him at the AOP.”

Outside of his work at the AOP, Kevin owned more than 32 practices across north east England and Scotland. Beyond optometry, Kevin was a sub-postmaster, entrepreneur, musician, community radio founder, school governor, listed-building renovator, and Mayor of Alnwick.

In June this year, Kevin’s dedication and significant contribution to optometry was recognised when he was presented with the AOP’s Peter Yeo Award – the highest accolade given by the Association.