Gordon Ilett

After selling his business Linklater Warren Ltd a small group of optometry practices in which he has been involved for 35 years, Gordon now spends his time undertaking a number of roles in the Optical and Charity sectors. He is Chairman of Trustees for SeeAbility (Royal School for the Blind). Gordon is also involved with the development of optometry and regulatory affairs in a number of different roles: Chairman of Optometric Fees Negotiating Committee; as a National Councillor and Board Member of The Association of Optometrists; Past Chairman and committee member of Bexley, Bromley and Greenwich Local Optical Committee; Director of Primary Eyecare (Bexley, Bromley and Greenwich) Ltd., and Primary Ophthalmic Services Ltd. - delivering primary eye care services to people in South East London. Gordon is also a member of the Advisory Committee of The General Optical Council. Gordon is a sessional optometrist for University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust at the REI. He is involved with the education of fellow professionals and is an Associate Tutor on the MSc Course in Optometry at Cardiff University, and a Pre-registration Supervisor for the College of Optometrists. He was a member of the Fitness to Practise Panel of the General Optical Council between 2005 and 2015 and is a former Director of the Institute of Optometry, and Associate Lecturer to Canterbury Christchurch University delivering modules on vision and visual rehabilitation to students as part of their Health and Social care course. Gordon also spent several years as an advisor to NHS England in the South East. Over the past 20 years Gordon has developed a special interest in the eye care needs of people with learning disabilities and has worked with The College of Optometry, RNIB, Kent Association for the Blind, SeeAbility and Special Olympics in developing a range of educational material for continuing education for fellow professionals, as well as the general public. This role has led to Gordon being appointed as a Trustee of SeeAbility, now Chairman of Trustees, and a Director of Special Olympics (Lions Clubs International) Opening Eyes UK.