Association of Optometrists


About the AOP

Staff Members

The AOP employs 27 staff, of whom all but five are based at the offices in Southwark Street.

Administration

Chief Executive

Communication

Conferences

Finance

Legal and Defence

Membership & IT

Postman/Caretaker

Professional Adviser

Professional Services & Primary Care

Public Affairs, Regulatory Affairs, European Affairs

Receptionist

Administration

Jennie Gambon - Head of Business Services
Photo of Jennie Gambon
Responsibilities

Administration of Board, Council & Committees
Human Resources
Office Management

Email

jenniegambon@aop.org.uk

Contact

Tel: 020 7202 6666

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Chief Executive

Bob Hughes - Chief Executive
Photo of Bob Hughes
Responsibilities

Responsible for the management of all the AOP's operations, ensuring that Board policy and strategy is translated into action efficiently and effectively. Serves as company secretary and advises Council and Board of Directors on their business. Oversees the management team and the AOP's 27 staff in London, Cardiff and Liverpool.

Email

bobhughes@aop.org.uk

Contact

Tel: 020 7261 9661 Fax: 020 7261 0228

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Communication

Stuart Cole - Press Officer
Responsibilities

 

Email

stuartcole@aop.org.uk

Contact

020 7207 2194

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David Craig - Head of Communication and Public Affairs
Photo of David Craig
Responsibilities

Media Relations

Public Relations

Publications

Conference Organisation

Marketing

Email

davidcraig@aop.org.uk

Contact

Tel: 020 7202 6650

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Conferences

Tracy Symons - Events and Marketing Manager
Photo of Tracy Symons
Responsibilities

Conference administration

General marketing

Insider editorial

Email

tracysymons@aop.org.uk

Contact

Tel: 020 7787 1119

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Finance

Alan Lester - Head of Finance
Photo of Alan Lester
Responsibilities

Accounts & Finance

VAT

Email

alanlester@aop.org.uk

Contact

Tel: 020 7787 1115

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Cindy Ying - Assistant Accountant
Photo of Cindy Ying
Responsibilities

Accounts

Email

cindyying@aop.org.uk

Contact

Tel: 020 7202 6655

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Legal and Defence

Sama Hossain - Solicitor
Photo of Sama Hossain
Responsibilities

Professional Insurance

Negligence and Product Liability

Legal Protection

Email

samahossain@aop.org.uk

Contact

Tel: 020 7207 2196

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Fiona Mitchell - Senior Solicitor
Photo of Fiona Mitchell
Responsibilities

Personal Injury & Professional Negligence

Civil Litigation

Employment

NHS, Driving and VDU Regulations

Email

fionamitchell@aop.org.uk

Contact

Tel: 020 7202 6660 or: 01621 7772695

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Trevor Warburton - Optometric Adviser (Defence)
Photo of Trevor Warburton
Responsibilities

Trevor is a former Chairman of the AOP and a practising optometrist with a wealth of experience. He is available to provide the Association and its members with advice about clinical aspects of members' defence.

Email

trevorwarburton@tjwarburton.co.uk

Contact

Tel: 0161 480 6432 Fax: 0161 429 6432

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Steven King - Deputy Head of Legal Services and Company Secretary
Photo of Steven King
Responsibilities

Deputy Head of Legal Services

Company Secretary

Secretary to Awards Committee

Deputy Returning Officer

Staff matters & employment law

Legal aspects of business and practice

Council/Committee elections

Email

stevenking@aop.org.uk

Contact

Tel: 020 7207 2197

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Membership & IT

Neal Burrow - Membership & IT Manager
Photo of Neal Burrow
Responsibilities

OT circulation
Membership changes
Membership Benefits
Service enquiries
IT management
Locum Bureau

 

Email

nealburrow@aop.org.uk

Contact

Tel: 020 7787 1116

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Postman/Caretaker

Jim O'Connor - Postman/Caretaker
Photo of Jim O'Connor
Responsibilities

Mail
Maintenance

Email

jimoconnor@aop.org.uk

Contact

Tel: 020 7202 6656

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Professional Adviser

Professional Services & Primary Care

Patricia O'Sullivan - Head of Professional Services
Photo of Patricia O'Sullivan
Responsibilities

NHS/Primary care development

Clinical/primary care enquiries

Database co-managed schemes

Advice to LOCs/AOCs

Continuing Education 

Clinical Governance

Vision Standards 

Secretary to Professional Services Committee 

Publications:  Primary Eyecare in the Community; Primary Care Resource Pack; Primary Care Toolkit

Email

patriciaosullivan@aop.org.uk

Contact

Tel: 020 7207 2195

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Public Affairs, Regulatory Affairs, European Affairs

Richard Carswell - Deputy Chief Executive, Head of Regulatory Affairs
Photo of Richard Carswell
Responsibilities

Secretary to the Public Affairs Committee

Responsible for GOS, relations with the Department of Health and Parliament, Richard is also Secretary General of ECOO (the European Council of Optometry & Optics)

Email

richardcarswell@aop.org.uk

Contact

Tel: 020 7207 2193

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Receptionist

Janet Nicholas - Receptionist
Photo of Janet Nicholas
Responsibilities

 

Email

janetnicholas@aop.org.uk

Contact

Tel: 020 7261 9661