AOP announces new Council members
The Association of Optometrists (AOP) is delighted to announce the new members of its Council, following the election and appointment process in April 2018. The Councillors will begin their three-year term of office on 6 June.
This year, geographical positions were contested in Scotland, South East England, South West England, West Midlands and Yorkshire and the Humber.
Councillors were elected unopposed in the East Midlands, East of England, London, North East England, North West England, Northern Ireland and Wales.
The AOP also received applications from undergraduate students, pre-registration optometrists and newly-qualified optometrists for three appointed, designated posts.
Henrietta Alderman, AOP Chief Executive, said: “Highly deserved congratulations are in order for our re-elected and newly-elected Council members, who’ve already made a significant contribution to the profession – proving their dedication and passion in striving for optometry. Some interesting challenges and opportunities lie ahead, and I’m very much looking forward to working with these individuals on the key issues facing optics in the coming years.”
Ms Alderman continued: “I’d like to thank all of those who have been part of the election process this year – with particular thanks to all those who put themselves forward for these important roles including designated positions, which received an unprecedented amount of applications. I also extend my gratitude to our outgoing Councillors for all their hard work.”
Newly-elected AOP Council members
Newly-elected Councillors representing geographical constituencies across the UK.
Councillor |
Constituency |
Emma Spofforth | East of England |
Tushar Majithia | East Midlands |
Gordon Ilett | London |
Jane Ranns | North East England |
Martin Sweeney | North West England |
Valarie Jerome | South East England |
Ed Bickerstaffe | South West England |
Francesca Marchetti | West Midlands |
Stewart Mitchell | Yorkshire and the Humber |
Julie-Anne Little | Northern Ireland |
Eilidh Martin |
Scotland |
Nadeen Joseph |
Wales |
Newly-elected appointed, designated positions
Councillor |
Constituency |
Shivani Rughani | Newly Qualified Optometrist |
Ali Yasen | Pre-registration Optometrist |
Shoaib Ilyas | Undergraduate Student Optometrist |
AOP members can contact their Councillors through the Association’s online community forums.
For more information about the 2018 election and the role of Councillors visit the AOP website, www.aop.org.uk/elections
Ends
For more information, please contact Serena Box, PR and Media Manager, at the Association of Optometrists, [email protected] or telephone 020 7549 2063.
For High Resolution images please visit this Dropbox folder.
Notes to Editors
Association of Optometrists
The Association of Optometrists (AOP) is the leading representative membership organisation for optometrists in the UK. We support over 80% of practising optometrists, to fulfil their professional roles to protect the nation’s eye health. For more information, visit www.aop.org.uk
Full list of AOP Council members as of the 6 June 2018 – includes Councillors who continue their term of office
Councillor |
Constituency |
Deepali Modha Emma Spofforth |
East of England |
Tushar Majithia Bhavik Parmar |
East Midlands |
Gordon Ilett Rakhee Shah |
London |
Angela Henderson Jane Ranns |
North East England |
Dharmesh Patel Martin Sweeney |
North West England |
Andrew Bridges Valarie Jerome |
South East England |
Jane Bell Ed Bickerstaffe |
South West England |
Susan Bowers Francesca Marchetti |
West Midlands |
Stewart Mitchell Nizz Sabir |
Yorkshire and the Humber |
Julie-Anne Little Brian McKeown |
Northern Ireland |
Alison McClune Eilidh Martin Kevin Wallace |
Scotland |
Mike George Nadeen Joseph |
Wales |
Appointed designated positions
Councillor |
Designated position |
David Adams |
Hospital Optometrist |
Shivani Rughani |
Newly-qualified Optometrist |
Jonathan Bennett |
Franchisee/Joint Venture Optometrist |
James Dawson |
Dispensing Optician |
Will Holmes | University Lecturer |
Fatima Nawaz | Early Career Optometrist |
Ali Yasen | Pre-registration Optometrist |
Shoaib Ilyas | Undergraduate Student Optometrist |