The Court
The Master
Mr Nigel Haig-Brown
The Master
Mr Nigel Haig-Brown
Background: retired Chartered Accountant
Upper Warden
Mrs Elizabeth (Liz) Shilling (professionally Liz Tomlin)
Upper Warden
Mrs Elizabeth (Liz) Shilling (professionally Liz Tomlin)
Background: lead orthoptist at major London NHS teaching hospital, where she is known professionally as Liz Tomlin
Renter Warden
Mr Michael Harris
Renter Warden
Mr Michael Harris
Background: optometrist and owner of Michael Harris Opticians, a family practice in Coventry
The Deputy Master
Mr Ian Davies
The Deputy Master
Mr Ian Davies
Background: optometrist by training; now an optical consultant and keynote speaker following a long career with with a major multi-national contact lens business.Mr Ian Davies took office as Master on 6 October 2021
Past Master Assistant
Mr Don Grocott TD
Past Master Assistant
Mr Don Grocott TD
Background: business and management consultancy. Master of the Company 2016-17
Past Master Assistant
Mr Edward Middleton
Past Master Assistant
Mr Edward Middleton
Background: chartered accountant and non-executive director. Master of the Company 2015-16.
Past Master Assistant
Dr Christine Tomkins
Past Master Assistant
Dr Christine Tomkins
Ophthalmologist by training; recently retired as CEO of the Medical Defence Union, for whom she remains a consultant
Senior Assistant
Mrs Fiona Anderson
Senior Assistant
Mrs Fiona Anderson
Background: dispensing optician and SMC(Tech) qualified technician, ABDO tutor and examiner; director of Ythan Opticians in Aberdeenshire; Past President of ABDO and current President of the International Opticians' Association.
Senior Assistant
Mr David Baker
Senior Assistant
Mr David Baker
David is an optometrist and writer, based in North London, the father of two sports-mad sons.
Court Assistant
Professor Mandeep Sagoo
Court Assistant
Professor Mandeep Sagoo
Background: Professor of Ophthalmology and Ocular Oncology, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology and Moorfields Eye Hospital
Court Assistant
Professor Susie Downes
Court Assistant
Professor Susie Downes
Background: Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of Oxford & Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon, also Clinical Research Network lead for Thames Valley and South Midlands. Her main research interests include inherited retinal dystrophies and macular disease. Susie is Chair of the Medical Advisory Board for national charity Retina UK
Court Assistant
Mr Peter Reeve
Court Assistant
Mr Peter Reeve
Background: Managing Director, Stepper (UK) and member of the Management Board of Stepper, a leading international eyewear design and manufacturing brand.
Court Assistant
Mr Mark Bateman
Court Assistant
Mr Mark Bateman
Background: Chartered Surveyor and property consultant; 4th generation Spectacle Maker
Court Assistant
Ms Lisa Hopkins
Court Assistant
Ms Lisa Hopkins
Background: CEO of SeeAbility, a 220-year old charity which today supports people with sight loss and multiple disabilities.
Court Assistant
Mr Clive Marchant
Court Assistant
Mr Clive Marchant
Background: Dispensing Optician, immediate past president of ABDO and director and co-owner of Colin Lee opticians, with practices in the West Midlands and Staffordshire
Court Assistant
Ms Gwen Rhys
Court Assistant
Ms Gwen Rhys
Founder of Women in the City, an organisation supporting the progress of women working in professional services. Gwen is also Past Master (2015) of the Worshipful Company of Glass Sellers and is a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Needlemakers and a Court member of the Livery Company of Wales. She is also a member of the Ward of Cheap, Broad Street, Aldgate and Queenhithe Ward Clubs.
Court Assistant
Mr George Budden
Court Assistant
Mr George Budden
Partner in the Post Merger Integration team at Deloitte; George was introduced the Company by his late father, Richard.The Clerk
The Clerk, Mrs Helen Perkins, is at the centre of the Livery Company and acts as its Chief Executive Officer, providing continuity and support for each Master of the Company.
The Clerk took office in June 2015 following a 25-year career as a Company Secretary and qualified Chartered Governance Professional.
The Clerk’s duties include the management of admissions to membership, day to day administration of the Company’s office and compliance with legal and accounting requirements, organisation and minuting of Court and Committee meetings, relationships with members, other optical bodies and organisations and the City of London, PR, event management and maintenance of the Company’s current and past records.
The Beadle
The Beadle was traditionally the Company’s constable and enforcer. Today the Beadle’s duties are more ceremonial. He plays a leading part in the admission and clothing of new Liverymen, conducts major events such as the Company’s Court Luncheons and Dinners, acts as our Toastmaster and advises the Master and the Clerk on matters of protocol. Our Beadle is Mr Peter Thompson.
