GOC names new council associates

Jamie Douglas

Deepali Modha

Dispensing optician, Jamie Douglas, and optometrist, Deepali Modha, have begun a two-year term as new council associates for the General Optical Council (GOC).

The role of council associate was launched by the GOC last year. The regulator has now extended the term of its initial council associates and added two further positions.

All associates attend council meetings and the GOC Audit, Risk and Finance Committee – helping to “diversify the experiences and perspectives voiced in decision-making”.

Based in Somerset, Jamie began his career as a trainee laboratory technician at a large multiple practice. After becoming team leader, he began training to be an optical assistant. Since graduating in 2022 with a qualification in Ophthalmic Dispensing from Anglia Ruskin University, Jamie has practised within the same group. He has a particular interest in low vision and developing research fields within optics, such as myopia management.

Deepali is from Hertfordshire, and currently working as a clinical performance consultant for Specsavers. Since graduating from Cardiff University with a BSc Optometry, she has worked within community practice and in a variety of roles including pre-registration trainee supervision, mentoring colleagues and examining students. She has previously sat on both the College of Optometrists and Association of Optometrists councils.