Linda Ford to leave the GOC

Head of education and standards at the General Optical Council (GOC), Linda Ford (pictured) will leave the regulator next month. 

Ms Ford has been appointed as chief operating officer of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives. 

The regulator’s current standards manager, Marcus Dye, will become acting head of education and standards for a six-month period. 

Ms Ford has been with the GOC for eight years, during which she oversaw the introduction of the enhanced CET scheme which includes a core competency framework and Peer Review, and helped to secure independent prescribing rights for optometrists. 

Commenting on Ms Ford’s departure, GOC chief executive and registrar, Samantha Peters, said: “During my time here at the GOC, I have found Linda to be invaluable. I regard her as an impeccably professional and supportive colleague.”