Independent lay chair jobs in london
The Vacancies
We are seeking to appoint two business registrants and one dispensing optician to our Advisory Panel Companies Committee.
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.
About the Advisory Panel
The Advisory Panel is a meeting of the four Council’s committees (Companies, Education, Registration, and Standards) in plenary session. They are established by statute for the purpose of giving advice and assistance to Council (whether or not in response to a request from them) on:
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matters relating to business registrants other than matters required by the Opticians Act to be referred to the Investigation Committee, the Registration Appeals, Committee or the Fitness to Practise Committee;
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matters relating to optical training, education, and assessment;
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matters relating to registration, other than matters required by the Opticians Act to be considered by the Registration Appeals Committee; and
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matters relating to the standards of conduct and performance expected of registrants or those seeking admission to the register.
Time Commitment and Remuneration
This role is part time with a commitment of approximately 2-3 days per year, including time spent preparing for meetings. Meetings will usually take place via MS Teams but may on occasion be held at the GOC Offices in London or other suitable venues.
A daily fee of £319 will be paid. This is in line with our member fees policy and member fee schedule. This is taxable and subject to Class 1 National Insurance (NI) contributions. It is not pensionable.
Members can claim expenses for travel and subsistence costs incurred on Council business as set out in our expenses policy.
How to apply
Please apply with the following:
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your CV outlining your employment history, any relevant voluntary work, public service, or other experience; together with any relevant professional, academic, or vocational qualifications (please keep this to two sides of A4);
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the application form (attcahed below), stating how your experience matches the essential criteria for the vacancy you are applying for; and
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an EDI monitoring form (link can be found in the candidate pack below).
Please email your completed application quoting reference GOC05/25 to appointment@optical .org.
We would welcome applications from individuals who are disabled and from diverse ethnic backgrounds, as these are currently under-represented on our Council and committees.
For more information please see the attached candidate information pack.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: midnight Sunday 09 November 2025.
Online interviews will be held the week commencing 12 January 2026.
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.
Chair of the Education Committee
£3,000 pa honorarium, plus expenses
Part-time, 3 meetings per year plus 4 Governing Board meetings
Hybrid working with occasional travel to London
We’re seeking an experienced, visionary leader to chair our Education Committee, guiding a passionate professional community and shaping the impact of acupuncture education.
This is a unique opportunity to foster collaboration, and champion the educational aims of an influential complementary health profession recognised by the WHO. We are looking for someone who values the profession, understands its potential, and is committed to supporting its educational development and visibility.
To ensure an independent perspective informed by broader sector insight (across higher education and health), this role is open to senior education leaders from other UK healthcare professions outside acupuncture.
What you’ll do
· Support the development of the educational strategy and decision-making that ensures the committee’s work is both forward-looking and fit-for-purpose.
· Lead and chair meetings effectively, balancing strong voices and diverse perspectives.
· Uphold the principles of Public life (NOLAN principles) build collaboration and trust across committee members, staff leading on education, and external stakeholders.
· Bring an external perspective to shape the committee’s work, policies, and outputs so they are credible, impactful, and positively perceived by external audiences (e.g., public, students, other professions).
· Navigate the balance between autonomy in your committee’s work and alignment with the wider membership body’s vision, working closely with the Governing Board, CEO, and Deputy CEO/Education Manager.
· Working with the Chair of the Accreditation committee, support the accreditation and activity of the BAcC.
What the committee does
· Ensure excellence in acupuncture education within the UK and influence acupuncture’s educational standards globally.
· Encourage institutional self-improvement by valuing diversity, creativity and innovation.
· Promote the standards of education and with these curricula standards, celebrate the unique and diverse traditions of the profession.
Who we’re looking for
Someone with significant senior leadership experience in UK healthcare higher education, from a profession other than acupuncture, with a strong understanding of professional education, governance, and academic standards.
You will have:
· a collaborative, inclusive style and excellent facilitation skills
· the ability to manage vocal and engaged members effectively while maintaining focus on outcomes
· strategic thinking with the ability to bring external insight to influence committee outputs and alignment with wider organisational goals
· the capacity to balance independent judgment and delegated authority alongside understanding education’s role within the organisational vision and priorities
· a passion for supporting and championing acupuncture education and standards while offering an independent perspective informed by broader sector insight
Time commitment:
· 3 meetings per year plus 4 Governing Board meetings
· Regular touchpoints with Chair of the Governing Board, Chair of Accreditation Committee, CEO and Education manager.
· Undertake preparatory work in advance of meetings.
If you are interested in this role and would like to discuss it informally before applying, contact details can be found via the application link.
Closing date: 12pm on Monday 20 October.
Interviews will be held on Wednesday 29 October via MS Teams.
Be a part of a collective and supportive team by joining the London District.
Our District Digital Enabler will take the lead in our social media communications but also work directly with our Churches and Circuits across London, providing them with a supportive guiding light by advising all things digital. You must have knowledge of social media and websites (that’s a given), but you’ll also need some skills in IT applications, the ability to write creatively and fluently, and be able to bring some slick confidence to the role. We value independent thinkers, working on your own initiative, but also those who can work collaboratively with a team, and bounce those ideas.
Why work with us?
A brilliant central office in Westminster, ability to work remotely, great (supportive) colleagues, flexible working, learning and development opportunities, pay, pensions and generous down time, committed to equality diversity and inclusion, and, did we mention the great colleagues?
Take a look at the job description. If this is for you, complete an application form, or give us a shout with any questions about the role.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
AAFDA was founded by Frank Mullane in memory of his sister Julia Pemberton and her son Will who were both killed by her ex-partner in 2003.
Each year, around 150 families lose a loved one to domestic homicide. The actual number of suicides as a result of domestic abuse remains unknown. Most of these families suffer significant problems including relationship breakdown, job difficulties/loss and mental and physical health issues. We help these families in many ways, our prime function being to provide families in England and Wales with specialist peer support and expert and specialist advocacy for the range of statutory reviews that will take place after domestic homicide.
AAFDA (Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse) is a growing Charity and to meet the demands of this growth, we are looking for exceptional candidates to join our team in a highly rewarding opportunity. Although home based, some travel will be required - frequency will be commensurate to the role. We welcome applications from candidates with experience of domestic abuse. We are also committed to diversity and strongly encourage applications from those with Black and/or Minoritised backgrounds.
Our Specialist Advocates support families impacted by fatal domestic abuse through provision of lay advocacy, for and on behalf of, families with a range of statutory service providers (e.g. those conducting reviews and inquiries, social services, police, housing) and work to build good relations between all parties. To ensure that families get the support they need, you will use AAFDA’s Home Office endorsed seven-step approach to working with individuals and families, to ensure that they receive the best possible support and advocacy to restore dignity and relief for families and to help them cope and recover. Through trauma-informed approaches, you will:
listen to families and advocate for them in a complex system that too often treats them as passive participants and overlooks the value of their insight.
provide information, support, guidance, advice and advocacy on Domestic Homicide Reviews, Mental Health Reviews, Inquests, Independent Office of Police Conduct inquiries and other types of inquiries.
manage families’ expectations of the legal and procedural processes facing them by supporting families in meetings with agencies such as health, police and local authorities.
give families practical help on a wide range of issues - including help with letter writing or advocating with employers and local authorities on the families’ behalf.
Support AAFDA in our bringing families together in AAFDA’s peer support events, such as the Hear Our Voice weekend and the on-line peer support Zoom sessions, where families can speak with others to share their experiences and stories. This will involve occasional evening work.
In return for joining us, we will offer you:
25 days annual leave per annum, plus bank holidays
Excellent development and training opportunities
Pension Scheme
Healthcare Scheme
Employee Assist Scheme
Application Instructions
To apply for this role, please submit a supporting statement, outlining how you meet the person specification, along with your CV.
Applicants will be shortlisted according to how well they meet the criteria in the person specification. Please highlight and explain how you meet these in your supporting statement. If you have been shortlisted for interview, you will be informed by email. Regrettably, we are normally unable to acknowledge unsuccessful applicants. Please note that we will not progress applications where the supporting statement does not address the criteria for the role being applied for.
To apply for this role, please submit a supporting statement along with your CV.
Applicants will be shortlisted according to how well they meet the criteria in the person specification. Please highlight and explain how you meet these in your supporting statement. If you have been shortlisted for interview, you will be informed by email. Regrettably, we are normally unable to acknowledge unsuccessful applicants. Please note that we will not progress applications where the supporting statement does not address the criteria for the role being applied for.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Be a part of a collective and supportive team by joining the London District.
Our District Net-Zero Officer will take the lead in advising, supporting and encouraging on all things net-zero related with our Churches and Circuits across London. You must have knowledge of sustainability (that’s a given), but you’ll also need some skills in IT applications, some admin know how, fabulous grant writing capabilities, and be able to bring some slick confidence to the role. We value independent thinkers, working on your own initiative, but also those who can work collaboratively with a team, and bounce those ideas.
Why is this role important?
The Methodist Church has committed to achieve net-zero by 2030. An ambitious target yes, but one we believe to be crucial in securing a better future for our communities. Our new Net-Zero Officer will play a significant role in enabling our churches in London to assess their environmental impact, learn, grow and benefit from the wider impact of reaching net zero.
Why work with us?
A brilliant central office in Westminster, ability to work remotely, great (supportive) colleagues, flexible working, learning and development opportunities, pay, pensions and generous down time, committed to equality diversity and inclusion, and, did we mention the great colleagues?
Take a look at the job description. If this is for you, complete an application form, or give us a shout with any questions about the role.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
About London Transport Museum (LTM)
Located in the heart of Covent Garden, London Transport Museum is the world’s leading museum of urban transport and an award-winning visitor destination. But we are much more than a museum—we are a heritage and education charity with a mission to ignite curiosity and shape the future.
We inspire the next generation of engineers, designers, scientists, and creatives by engaging every primary school in London. We collaborate with industry leaders to address key urban challenges, from smart cities to sustainable innovation. We are committed to closing skills gaps, addressing gender imbalances, and creating opportunities for underrepresented communities.
We are not a DCMS funded Museum and generate 80% of our income through admissions, fundraising and commercial enterprises. We are halfway through an ambitious five-year strategy (2023–2028), focused on sustainable growth, innovation, and impact. We’re investing in people, systems, and our public offer – all with a view to becoming Future Fit and ready for our 50th anniversary in 2030.
Safeguarding is central to our work. We welcome children, young people, and vulnerable adults through our programmes and ensure all staff and volunteers are DBS-checked, trained, and confident in our safeguarding procedures.
The Role
As Chief Financial Officer, you will lead the financial strategy and operations of LTM, ensuring robust financial management, governance, and performance. This is a pivotal role on the Senior Leadership Team (SLT), reporting directly to the Director and attending all Board meetings. You will also deputise for the Director when required.
This role goes beyond traditional finance leadership. You will be a moderniser—driving transformation, leading negotiations, overseeing broader business support functions, and contribute to LTM50, including capital programme oversight. You will be the face of financial and business systems at LTM, helping to deliver a future-fit museum aligned with our strategic vision.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the development and management of LTM’s overall budget, ensuring financial sustainability across short, medium, and long-term goals
- Oversee all aspects of financial control, governance, reporting, and compliance with statutory, charity, and TfL requirements
- Deliver timely and accurate statutory accounts, budgets, forecasts, and management reports
- Lead business support functions and liaise with TfL departments including HR, Procurement, Reward, Tech and Data and Finance
- Provide strategic financial advice to the Board of Trustees, SLT, and wider teams
- Represent LTM in financial negotiations with external partners and suppliers
- Champion a high-performing, inclusive finance team—setting clear goals, recognising success, and modelling LTM’s values
- Collaborate closely with TfL Finance to ensure alignment and efficiency
- Ensure all financial and legal obligations are met and policies are up to date and followed
The successful candidate will be a fully qualified accountant with a proven track record in senior finance leadership roles within complex organisations, and will be able to demonstrate:
- Experience at Board level and ability to work in collaboration with Trustees and colleagues;
- Understanding and experience of strategic risk management, finance audit and internal controls;
- Broad operational knowledge including digital transformation, estates, and HR;
- Experience navigating challenging financial climates and driving efficiencies.
This is an exciting opportunity for the right individual. We are seeking a confident, dynamic and engaging individual with excellent communication skills and confidence to operate at the highest levels. Experience in the charity or cultural sector would be an advantage. If you are a strategic, forward-thinking finance leader ready to help shape the future of London Transport Museum, we’d love to hear from you.
Please submit your CV, with a supporting statement describing why you would be the best person to join this team and make London Transport Museum the best it can be.
Recruitment timetable:
Application deadline: Sunday 19th October
Longlisting:Week of 20th October
Shortlisting:Week of 3rd November
Informal coffees with CEO: Week of 10th November
First stage interviews: Week of 17th November
Second stage interviews: Tuesday 25th November
To apply, please send your CV and supporting statement via the link by Sunday 19th October.
For an informal conversation about the role please contact our exclusive recruitment partner, Bryony Thomas of Allen Lane via the agency website