16 January 2026

Represent your region on College Council - nominations now open

Becoming a College Council member is a great opportunity to represent your colleagues, promote your profession, contribute to the diversity of the College, and help shape the future of optometry.

The work of the Council is particularly important with the launch of our five-year strategy. This is a valuable opportunity for all members to play an essential role in shaping the College’s strategic direction, helping us ensure that optometrists become the first port of call for eye care across the UK. 

Joining the College Council is a unique opportunity to:

  • Be the voice of members in your region.
  • Shape the future of optometry and influence key decisions.
  • Support better eye health and vision for all.
  • Grow your career through leadership, networking and governance experience.
  • Connect and collaborate with other professionals across the UK, including College leaders and members of the Board of Trustees.

New Council members receive comprehensive induction and mentoring, so they feel supported and confident from day one.

We are currently calling for nominations in the following regions:

  • Northern Ireland – one vacancy
  • Scotland – one vacancy
  • East Midlands – one vacancy
  • London – one vacancy
  • North West – one vacancy
  • South East – one vacancy
  • South West - two vacancies
  • West Midlands – two vacancies
  • Yorkshire and the Humber – two vacancies

This is a voluntary position although reasonable expenses for travel, accommodation, subsistence and childcare will be reimbursed by the College. We also provide free registration for our Optometry Tomorrow conference.

This is a fantastic opportunity to get involved and make a difference to your profession and eye care provision in the UK. 

Nominations are open until noon, Monday 23 February 2026.

NOMINATIONS HAVE NOW CLOSED.

Find out more

Related further reading

Chris Steele FCOptom, Clinical Editor of Acuity, looks at the brink of a major medical shift.

We speak to Ruth Bennett MCOptom, the College’s Deputy Lead Assessor on the Scheme for Registration, about her “portfolio” career in optometry.

If passed, the measures mooted in the government’s consultation to extend medicines for optometrists and contact lens opticians could be the biggest change to scope of practice in decades. What could practice look like if the proposals are enacted?