Lay Advisory Panel (LAP)

Mark’s career to date has been in health policy, management and sector development. Following a variety of roles in membership organisations and the NHS, Mark currently is head of system partnerships at Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. 

After graduating, Katie worked as a solicitor in private practice and in-house. In 2009 she moved into the regulation of the legal profession, working for the Law Society's Legal Complaints Service and then the Legal Ombudsman. She is currently an adjudicator for an ombudsman scheme and enjoys the variety and challenge that the work brings.

Andrea has extensive experience in governance and regulation and has worked within the legal and medical professions with responsibilities for professional training, standards, compliance and continuing education. She is skilled in modernising product ranges and service approaches, notably through an emphasis on blended learning. Andrea is passionate about giving individuals the right training at all stages of their careers, in order to ensure they have the proper skills and experience to deal confidently and professionally with challenges as they arise.

Lyuba graduated as a registered Nurse and has worked in specialist areas of mental health such as forensics, early intervention, primary care and addictions in both inpatient and community settings. She has post graduate study in Mental health interventions and an MSc in Management. She’s a passionate advocate for people disenfranchised by long term mental health conditions. She has an interest in the intersection of physical health, long term conditions and mental health. Her interest in optometry started when she was diagnosed with a chronic corneal condition that has required regular contact with eye health specialists.

Nicola is a registered Mental Health Nurse with extensive experience of working in a range of senior clinical and operational roles across several mental health and community NHS Trusts. Between 2008-2016 she worked as a Registrant Panel Member for Fitness to Practice at the Nursing & Midwifery Council. Nicola is experienced in service transformation, working at a strategic, system level with a range of partners and organisations, with an interest in workforce and clinical professional leadership development.

Richard Lee is an accomplished entrepreneur, board advisor, and governance leader with a strong background in technology, business scaling, and social impact. As the founder and former CEO of a technology business, he grew the company into a multi-million-pound enterprise without external investment. He now provides consultancy services supporting startups and scale-ups. Richard serves on multiple boards in a range of sectors.

Iain has a B.A. in Economics & Finance, M.Sc. in International Marketing and over 20 years of board experience as an executive in retail, manufacturing and healthcare. Since 2014 he has provided advisory and interim support to organisations in both the UK and overseas including regulation, strategy, growth and transition through periods of change. Most recently he has provided support to clients in the healthcare sector, a charity providing humanitarian support and a technology group. His non-executive roles have included international regulatory advisory and training organisation. 

After completing her undergraduate law degree at University College London and a Master’s degree in Medical Ethics and Law at King’s College London, Rekha was Called to the Bar by the Honourable Society of the Middle Temple in 2007. Following extensive experience working as a legal assistant in healthcare and non-healthcare disciplinary prosecution work, she cross-qualified as a solicitor in 2012.

Amarpal is a graduate from City University London having read Business Law. He started his legal career at a leading international law firm focusing on company and corporate law and then moved to the banking and finance sector. He is currently Head of Legal of Capital Markets for a leading UK bank.

Kiren is a dedicated professional who graduated from Aston University in 2012. With a strong foundation in optometry, she has been committed to clinical excellence and career development since her pre-registration year. Kiren has served as a valued member of the Kent and Medway LOC committee since 2018, actively contributing to the optometric community.

Seema graduated from City University in 2011 and holds another degree in Biomedical Sciences in which she achieved a First Class Honours as well as the Dudley Cheeseman prize for best performing student. She completed her pre-registration year with Vision Express and carried on working in various Vision Express stores within Suffolk, Essex and Hertfordshire whilst building up her clinical experience.

Gillian is a highly respected senior clinician and leader within the NHS, recognised nationally for her contribution to advancing eyecare, clinical governance, and professional standards. A past President and current Trustee of The College of Optometrists, Gillian also chairs the Clinical Council for Eye Health Commissioning and serves as a Trustee of the Benevolent Fund, reflecting her long-standing commitment to supporting both the profession and the patients it serves.