Our head office team

Harjit is a health policy expert with special interests in health economics and health systems. He started his career as an optometrist and has worked in a variety of clinical, policy and operational roles across community practice, the hospital service, the third sector and international clinical trials. He has an MSc in Health Economics, Policy and Management from the LSE, and brings a wide range of analytical, clinical and public health skills to his role.

David is a health analyst, policymaker and strategist with over 25 years' experience at a senior level in Whitehall at the Departments of Health & Social Security, holding posts including head of hospitals, specialised health services, purchasing (now called commissioning) and GP fundholding total purchasing (clinical commissioning).

Alan leads on regulatory affairs at FODO, including professional liability, legal defence, optical regulation, finance and taxation. He is a chartered accountant and a Companion of the Chartered Management Institute. He was formerly a financial consultant to the General Optical Council, managing director and part-owner of Galaxy Optical Services and finance director of Miller & Santhouse Plc.

With over 10 years' administrative experience, Giusy takes pride in providing the highest quality admin support to the managing director as well as the Membership team and Finance department. Outside work, Giusy enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading, and watching Italian football, especially her team Juventus.

Sue is an experienced PA, working for a visual impairment charity for more than 20 years before joining FODO in June 2018. When not at work, she loves spending time with family and friends and walking her dogs.

Rajan is the go-to person for members to gain advice and information on insurance claims, GOC cases, local level complaints and other matters, including GDPR and NHS/GOC queries. He organises all Continuing Education and Training (CET) for FODO members.

Daro graduated from the LSE with a degree in Social Policy and Criminology, and has experience in both education and healthcare policy through previous roles. At FODO, he contributes to policy analysis, consultation responses and the development of evidence-based positions on behalf of members and partners. He is particularly interested in using policy to drive practical improvements across the health and care system.

Hannah brings a unique perspective to health communications shaped by a decade of experience in national newspaper journalism followed by clinical practice as an audiologist. She is particularly interested in helping translate policy decisions into meaningful improvements for patients.

Our professional adviser Steve Taylor is a registered optometrist with experience in hospital, education, industry, management and high street practice settings.

He has published and lectured extensively on topics he's particularly interested in, including clinical optometry, optometry education, legal and professional aspects of the optical profession and vision and driving.

Steve was a member of the GOC Fitness to Practice panel for 10 years. As a consultant, he has helped numerous new optometry schools to get established and is an optometry adviser to NHS England.

Steve has a PhD from the University of Wales and is a Fellow of the College of Optometrists and a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry.

Shaun is a Director of Kings VAT, a specialist company that's been advising FODO and optical practices all over the UK on numerous VAT related matters since 1995.

During that time, he devised and negotiated the use of the full cost apportionment (FCA) method when making a single charge for supplies of spectacles and dispensing.

With his extensive knowledge of VAT and optics, Shaun has also advised several optical companies on disputes with HMRC, including cases resulting in litigation.

In addition, he has represented the profession in national discussions with HMRC, for example on acceptable methods of apportionment and the use of partial exemption methods.