Tell us about your career journey so far.

I qualified as an optometrist from City University, London, in 1994 and began my career in community practice, working across a variety of high-street settings. Those early years gave me a strong foundation    in patient care and helped me appreciate the difference that excellent optometry can make to people’s lives.    

After more than a decade, I moved into the hospital sector, joining Whipps Cross University Hospital as a specialist optometrist. There, I developed specialist clinics, worked with complex adult and paediatric patients, and became involved in teaching and training.

Alongside clinical practice, I pursued further study, completing an MSc and later a PhD. This opened the door to a career in higher education, where I have spent the last two decades teaching, leading programmes, conducting research and supporting the development of future healthcare professionals.

Today I am Dean of the School of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences at the University of Hertfordshire, leading a large multidisciplinary school. Throughout all these roles, optometry has remained at the heart of my professional identity.

How did you become involved with the College?

The College has been part of my professional journey since I was a student. Like many optometrists, my early involvement was through membership, professional qualifications and the educational resources that supported me as a clinician.

As my career progressed, I became increasingly interested in contributing to the development of the profession, particularly in the areas of education, standards and professional development. I have always believed that the profession is strongest when practitioners are prepared to give back and help shape its direction.

In 2018, I was elected by members to represent London on Council. This was a significant milestone, giving me the opportunity to understand the breadth of the College’s work and to represent members from a wide range of practice settings and career stages. Through Council, I became involved in strategic discussions about the future of optometry and the role of the College in supporting members and protecting the public. I later served as Chair of the Education and Standards Committee during a period of considerable change in optometric education, helping to support the profession through evolving education and training requirements. 

In 2024, I was honoured to be elected Vice-President, and now, as President, I see this as the culmination of a journey shaped by many colleagues, mentors and members who have inspired and supported me.

What has kept me involved throughout is a genuine belief in the College’s purpose. It sits at the heart of the profession, bringing together clinicians, educators, researchers and leaders from across optometry. It provides a collective voice while maintaining a clear focus on standards, patient care and professional excellence.

For me, involvement with the College has always been about supporting the profession that has given me so much, and helping to ensure that future generations of optometrists have the opportunity to thrive.

What advice would you give to those joining the profession?

Stay curious and embrace lifelong learning. The knowledge and skills you gain at university are the foundation of your career, not the end of your education.

Seek out mentors, ask questions and be open to different career paths. Optometry today offers opportunities across community practice, hospital services, academia, research, industry, leadership and many other areas.

I would encourage new graduates to remember the privilege and responsibility that come with caring for patients. Technical skills are essential, but kindness, empathy and communication are equally important.

Finally, have confidence in yourself and in the value you bring to healthcare.

How can the profession move forward, and what do you think is on the horizon?

The future is incredibly exciting. We will continue to see expanded clinical roles, greater integration with wider healthcare services and increasing opportunities for optometrists to contribute to population health.

Technology and AI will undoubtedly influence how we work. However, I see AI as something that will enhance professional judgement rather than replace it. The human aspects of care, communication and clinical decision-making will remain central to our role. We must also continue to focus on equity, diversity and inclusion, ensuring that the profession reflects the communities we serve and that opportunities are accessible to all.

What will be your focus as President?

I take on the presidency at a particularly important moment for both optometry and healthcare more broadly. The profession has never had a greater opportunity to contribute to patient care, population health and the wider healthcare system. At the same time, we are navigating significant change in technology, workforce development, service delivery and public expectations.

My focus will be on collaboration and bringing people together around a shared vision for the future of the profession. Optometry is incredibly diverse, with colleagues working across community practice, hospitals, academia, research, industry and many other settings. The College has a unique role in connecting those voices and ensuring that members feel heard, valued and represented.

I want to champion the contribution that optometrists make to healthcare and ensure that our profession continues to be recognised as an essential part of delivering high-quality, accessible patient care. That means working collaboratively with members, partner organisations, policy-makers, educators, employers and other healthcare professions to advance our collective ambitions.

I am passionate about supporting the next generation of optometrists and developing future leaders. The strength of our profession depends on creating opportunities for people from all backgrounds to thrive, contribute and shape the future.

Above all, I see the role of President as one of service and stewardship. My aim is to listen, engage and represent the profession with integrity, helping to position optometry confidently for the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.

Image credit | Caroline Andreieu