Committee

Amy Clarke – Chair

Amy qualified as an Optometrist in 2004 from Bradford University and as an IP optometrist in 2017. She currently works for an independent practice in Cheltenham and also works at Worcestershire Acute Trust. Has a special interest in glaucoma and paediatrics. chair@glosloc.co.uk

 
 

Alvaro Borges – Vice Chair

Alvaro was born in Porto and qualified as an Optometrist in 2007 , studying in Portugal and Barcelona. In the UK, Alvaro has held several roles in community optometry and in directorship. Alvaro has a Professional Certificate in Glaucoma, and a Leadership skills obtained at Cardiff University.
He joined the LOC in 2016 and was Chair from 2019-2023. Alvaro is also the Optical Lead for LOCSU supporting LOCs in the South-West and West Midlands region. 
alvaroborges@glosloc.co.uk
 
 
 

Nigel Harris – Treasurer

Nigel qualified as an optometrist with Boots Opticians in 1989, and has since worked for Boots in a variety of locations across the Midlands, currently based in Tewkesbury. He has managed practices of varying sizes since 1992 and combined this with ongoing pre-reg supervision, also assist in the clinical support and CET delivery for Boots Opticians at an Area level. Nigel is a keen cyclist.
 
 
 

Sid Maher – Secretary

Sid is a Dispensing Optician with Low Vision accreditation and also holds a BA (Hons) in Marketing. Local to Cheltenham, Sid has experience across different optical platforms including hospital, regular low vision clinics, vision charities and various optical practices. On behalf of the LOC Sid is responsible for progressive communication to all our optical professionals in Gloucestershire via our dedicated social media channels.
secretary@glosloc.co.uk
 
 
 

Ankur Trivedi

Following qualification in 2002 I have worked in both multiple and independent sector practices across Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire. I joined the LOC in 2009 and also started working within a shared care glaucoma clinic at Stroud General Hospital working with Mr John Ferris. Since then I have completed the Professional Certificates in Glaucoma and Medical Retina and the Diploma in Independent Prescribing. I am currently working towards the Higher Certificate in Glaucoma. I was part of the LOC team that setup Primary Eyecare Gloucestershire (PEG) in 2016 and have been the Clinical Governance and Performance Lead (CGPL) since then. I now deliver the same role as part of the larger Primary Eyecare Services (PES) team in Gloucestershire as well as other areas as part of the PES Clinical Leads – Midlands Team. I am also the IP Lead for PES. Currently my working week is split between working as a Specialist Optometrist in Glaucoma Shared Care at the Trust and in Community Practice as well as my PES role. Since June 2023 I am the Association of Optometrists (AOP) Councillor representing IP Optometrists and in July 2024 I was appointed as a member of the AOP Board.

 

 

Ian Shapcott

Born and educated in Bristol. Having graduated in Optometry at Cardiff I came to Gloucestershire to complete my training at Cheltenham General Hospital. After qualifying in 1985 I was employed in independent practice in Cheltenham. I have been self-employed since 1998, working for several independent practices in Gloucestershire and Worcestershire. I have served previously on the committee of the Three Counties Optometry Society and in 2003 I completed a degree in IT & Information Systems at the University of Gloucestershire. I joined the LOC in 2012 where my primary role is management of the website and IT administration.
 
 

 

 

Peter Greedy

Peter has extensive experience of professional and management roles from over 30 years in the optical profession. He has worked in independent practice medium and national chains as well a working for an industry supplier in professional services, training and IT roles. Peter is also an accredited coach and passionate about personal, professional and leadership development. At the LOC Peter supports the planning and development of CPD events for the county.

 

Dave Jeavons

 

Rizwan Choonara

 

Tom Gacek

Tom was born in Poland and after coming to UK in 2004 he qualified as Dispensing Optician in 2010 and as a Contact Lens Optician in 2022. Over the years Tom has gathered a lot of operational and managerial experience but his main passion is fitting complex contact lenses. Tom is local to Gloucestershire where he mainly works in the independent sector and on some occasions, he helps in contact lens clinics in local hospitals.

 

Andy Partridge

Andy graduated from the University of Manchester in 1995 and qualified as an optometrist in 1997. His early career was spent within a regional group of practices, where he developed a solid foundation in community eye care before moving into hospital clinics. Following this, Andy undertook locum work and later joined a busy Gloucestershire practice on a full-time basis, delivering urgent and enhanced services including CUES and glaucoma EOS alongside routine eye examinations. He then transitioned into a support office role, working closely with practices for 2–3 years to optimise patient outcomes, support professional development and strengthen the delivery of enhanced services. In January 2025, Andy returned to clinical practice and has since been appointed Clinical Lead for PES. In this role, he is responsible for leading service development, supporting colleagues in keeping high clinical standards and ensuring patients continue to receive the best possible care.

In addition to his role on the main committee Andy is a valued member of the Clinical Sub-Committee.

 

Courtney Campbell

 

 

 

 

Emily Emm

Emily qualified as a Dispensing Optician in 2016 and have worked in independent practices ever since, building a career around her passion for personalised, high-quality eyecare. In 2021, she became a partner at a practice in Gloucester, where she has had the privilege of doing what she loves most – looking after her patients and providing them with the very best service.

 

 

Rakhee Price

 

 

Karen Gennard

I have worked as an optometrist in Gloucestershire for most of my working life. I have mostly worked in independent practices enjoying the breadth of practice that brings, undertaking my Prof Certs in Glaucoma and Med Ret.  I currently enjoy a role in a busy practice in Cheltenham.  I have also worked for Vision Care establishing the clinic in Gloucester to provide eyecare to those experiencing homelessness.  At the LOC I sit on the clinical committee and have recently taken the role of Vice Secretary. 
 
Alongside my practice role I am the South West England representative for the Association of Optometrists, and I have also been appointed to the AOP board. I hold a role as a trustee for Insight Gloucestershire, a local charity that provides support services for those affected by sight loss in our county.