The vacancy
We are seeking to appoint one lay member to sit on our GOC Council.
About the GOC
We are the regulator for the optical professions in the UK. Our purpose is to protect the public by promoting high standards of education, performance and conduct. For more information about us please visit our website:optical. org.
About the Council
The role of Council is to lead on the GOC’s mission to protect the public by upholding high standards in eye care services. The Council is composed of six lay members (including the Chair) and six registrant members (i.e. registered optometrists and dispensing opticians). At least one member of the Council must work wholly or mainly in each of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. One Council member acts as a Senior Council Member whose role is to carry out the Chair’s appraisal as well as provide a sounding board for the Chair and serve as an intermediary for Council members, Executive and stakeholders as necessary.
The successful candidate will contribute to Council by exercising oversight, ensuring effective corporate governance, and making high-level policy decisions. They will be able to operate strategically and impartially; listen, communicate, and influence effectively; exercise judgment; and inspire confidence and support amongst our stakeholders.
Remuneration and time commitment
Council members are remunerated in accordance with our member fees policy (£13,962 per annum plus reasonable travel and subsistence expenses). The member fee includes time for reading and preparation.
The appointed member will be expected to commit approximately 2-3 days per month. Meetings will usually take place via MS Teams but may on occasion be held at the GOC Offices at Level 29, One Canada Square, London, E14 5AA. There are occasional online catch-up meetings - these are currently scheduled on a Tuesday evening every 6-8 weeks, from 5.30pm – 6.30pm.
How to apply:
Please email the the following to appointment@optical. org
· your CV outlining your employment history, any relevant voluntary work, public service or other experience; together with any relevant professional, academic or vocational qualifications;
· the application form, stating how your experience matches the criteria for the vacancy you are applying for; and
· complete the EDI monitoring form linked in the candidate pack (this is an online form and does not need to be included in the email with your CV and application form).
APPLICATION DEADLINE: midnight on Sunday 10 August 2025.
Online interviews will be held on between Wednesday 15 and Thursday 16 October 2025.
If you have any questions, please email them to appointment@optical. org and we will aim to respond to you within 48 hours.
We welcome applications from individuals who are disabled and from diverse ethnic backgrounds as these are currently under-represented on our council and committees.
We strive to be as diverse as the public we protect and welcome applications from everyone, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy, maternity and geographical locations outside of London.
Registered Charity 
51 - 100
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
The Woodland Trust is looking for a Communications and Engagement Manager in our South East England team, to lead the regional Communications and Engagement team and programme
The Role:
• Develop a regional communications and engagement plan that identifies opportunities aimed at generating new supporters for the Trust - raising our profile, creating opportunities to raise additional income and delivering high quality engagement and volunteering.
• Oversee delivery of the regional communications and engagement plan and ensure that related communications, engagement, visitor experience and volunteering opportunities are planned and resourced.
• Manage a small regional team of communications, engagement and volunteering officers
• Liaise and regularly work cross departmentally, to ensure communication plans reflect and support the national communications agenda. In particular, strengthen links with centrally based communications and volunteering teams, fundraising teams and conservation and focus area work.
• Act as communications lead on all funded projects and partnership work
• Plan, manage and report on a regional communications and engagement budget, as well as working closely with the Regional Director to support the regional budgeting process. This will include responsibility of monitoring spend and cost control.
• Be the principal point of contact for communications, engagement and volunteering between the country and national teams; sharing best practice and acting as a conduit for internal communications.
• Foster effective relationships internally and externally to engage and inspire a range of audiences and individuals
• This role covers the South East of England including Kent, Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire, Bucks, Berks and Oxfordshire. It requires regular travel around South East England and UK. A full clean UK driving licence is required.
The Candidate:
• You’ll have an enthusiasm for the environment and share our core values-Grow Together, Explore, Focus and Make it Count.
• You will have experience leading engagement, volunteering or communications teams, providing inspirational leadership and line management.
• You will have previous experience working and engaging with volunteers, supporters and communities with the ability to deliver objectives cost effectively, including managing, monitoring and reporting on work programmes and budgets.
• You’ll know about the best methods in communicating with a wide variety of audiences using a mix of marketing and promotional channels.
• You’ll have a collaborative approach, with the ability to work with multiple teams, building relationships with both internal and external stakeholders effectively.
• You will be a strong influencer and you will be confident in representing the Trust in dealings with multiple stakeholders.
Benefits & Wellbeing: Joining our team means you'll be a big part of tackling environmental and climate issues. We take good care of our staff, offering support and training opportunities. We also offer:
• Enhanced Employer Pension
• Life Assurance
• Flexible & Hybrid Working Options
• Generous Annual Leave
• Enhanced Parental Pay
• Employee Assistance Programme
About Us: The Woodland Trust is the UK's leading woodland conservation charity and is dedicated to creating a world where trees and woods thrive for both people and nature. Our mission involves engaging and inspiring individuals to contribute toward tackling the nature and climate crisis through the protection, restoration, and creation of essential woodland habitats.
Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion: To achieve our vision of a world where woods and trees thrive for people and nature, we need to better reflect society and the communities we work in. All people, no matter their background, identity, ability, or circumstance, should benefit from trees.
People of colour and disabled people are currently under-represented across the environment and conservation sector. If you identify as a person of colour and/or disabled, we particularly encourage you to apply.
Please contact us to discuss any additional support or adjustments you may need to complete your application.
Application Advice: For fairness we keep our candidates’ personal details hidden from the hiring managers, we do not ask for CVs at application stage. Make sure that your Personal Statement clearly shows how your skills and knowledge link to the specifications in the job description and you share with us your passion for the role.
Apply Now: If you're ready to make a difference and grow with us, send in your application today. We might close the job opening early if we get a lot of applications, so it's a good idea to apply soon. If we do close the advert early, and you have an application in process, we will email you prior to closing to give you time to complete.
Interviews will be held via Microsoft Teams on 12th & 14th August 2025.
Thank you!
Raven Housing Trust are partnering exclusively with Robertson Bell in their search for a permanent Financial Controller. Raven is here to make a difference, working as a team to build homes and change lives. Raven is also ambitious: a sector-leader in carbon reduction, with commercial ventures and a focus on the future.
The overall purpose of this Financial Controller role is to prepare the statutory accounts for the Raven Group, alongside maintaining the general ledger, purchasing systems and interfaces to other operational systems, as well as leading the team responsible for managing Raven’s finance transactions, treasury, cash management and fixed assets.
The Role:
- Leading and co-ordinating delivery of the financial statements for the group including leading on the annual external audit
- Managing and developing the Financial Control Team consisting of five direct reports and a wider team of ten in total
- Management of the general ledger, including all financial transactions and fixed asset accounting
- Responsible for the financial control framework and for day to day treasury management
- Oversight of all VAT, corporation tax and the general tax strategy for the group
- Responsible for managing the annual rent setting process
- Reporting into the Assistant Director of Finance you will work with other Managers in the Finance and Procurement Teams to ensure best practice is maintained throughout the finance team.
The Organisation:
Raven Housing Trust is a social housing provider based in Redhill, Surrey. They own or manage around 7,000 homes and are committed to investing in homes and neighbourhoods to develop local communities where people want to live. The majority of their customers rent their homes from them, although they also support customers who either own the lease to their homes or have purchased their homes on a part-rent/part-buy basis. You’ll be joining a highly committed team known for its collaborative culture, supported by a driven and supportive Line Manager.
Person Specification – Essential:
- Professional qualification (CCAB or equivalent)
- Proven track record of leading financial management in charitable, public sector, or similarly regulated environments, with a strong focus on compliance, transparency, and accountability.
- Good working knowledge of financial control frameworks, accounting and purchasing systems
- Skilled communicator, with the ability to influence and engage with a wide range of audience
- Proven experience leading on developing or implementing accounting and purchasing systems
This role will be based at Raven's head office in Redhill, Surrey and will require a minimum of two days per week in the office, The closing date is 3rd August with interviews taking place the week commencing 11th August (virtual first stage) and final face to face interviews scheduled for 20th and 21st August.
Applications will be reviewed continuously before the closing date. Please apply via our exclusive search partner Robertson Bell.
