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 
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The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Greenpeace are partnering exclusively with Robertson Bell in their search for a permanent Deputy Head of Finance to join their team on a permanent basis. Greenpeace is a movement of people who are passionate about defending the natural world from destruction. Our vision is a greener, healthier and more peaceful planet, one that can sustain life for generations to come.
The role will involve undertaking a broad range of important duties, including taking responsibility for a key part of our organisation. This will include reporting on monthly performance, managing grants (both income and expenditure grants), preparing the annual budget, preparing the annual statutory accounts and taking responsibility for the annual audit, reporting to and liaising with our international head office, and preparing the agenda and papers for and attending trustee meetings.
The organisation:
Greenpeace are independent. They don’t accept any funding from governments, corporations or political parties – their work is funded by ordinary people. That means they are free to confront governments and corporations responsible for the destruction of the natural world and push for real change.
They do this by investigating, documenting and exposing the causes of environmental destruction. They work to bring about change by lobbying, consumer pressure and mobilising members of the general public. And they take peaceful direct action to protect our Earth and promote solutions for a green and peaceful future.
The role:
- Responsibility for all aspects of the financial management of Greenpeace Environmental Trust (GET), a registered charity.
- Responsibility for the preparation of annual statutory accounts, annual report, and conducting the annual audit.
- Work with the Events team to ensure that the budgeting, financial control and management, and reporting of the Glastonbury Festival and all other festivals and events is conducted in an accurate and timely manner.
- Preparation of the annual budget and presentation to the board of trustees.
- Preparation of monthly management accounts and written finance report to trustees and other key stakeholders.
- Maintain accurate cash flow management and forecasting procedures to proactively manage all cash balances.
- Manage the grant-making process and account for all grant income received.
- Review restricted income, ensuring correct documentation is received and the restrictions are applied.
- Maintain policies and procedures ensuring compliance with all relevant legislation.
- Continually work to develop and improve the quality and usefulness of our reporting.
- Providing financial analysis, including trends and areas of opportunity or concern for budget holders and other stakeholders.
- Work with other Deputy Head of Finance and the programme co-ordinator to proactively improve all aspects of the financial management of the programme department’s activities in relation to activity funded by GET.
The successful candidate will:
- Be a qualified, or a finalist Accountant (ACCA/ACA/CIMA or other chartered accountancy qualification) or will be qualified by experience.
- Proven experience of working in a finance function in a hands-on role.
- Extensive technical knowledge of accounting principles and best practice, with reference to specific UK charity accounting rules and regulations.
- Substantial experience of management accounting, budgeting, forecasting and reporting.
- Experience of involvement in financial year-end and annual statutory audit.
- Proven experience of delivering a business partnering-focused service and providing in-depth insight, analysis and guidance to budget-holders.
- Support and believe in the aims of Greenpeace.
- Have highly developed communication skills with credibility to operate outside the finance function up to senior management level.
The position will be based at Greenpeace’s head office a short walk away from Highbury and Islington station and requires two days attendance at the office. The closing date for applications is 10th August with interviews taking place the week commencing 18th August.
Applications will be under constant review before the closing date, so please submit your application to our exclusive search agent, Robertson Bell. Apply now to be considered!
