Professional Matters Optometry & Dispensing
Marc Stoner appointed as General Optical Council’s Director of Corporate Services
Marc Stoner appointed as General Optical Council’s Director of Corporate Services
The General Optical Council (GOC) has appointed Marc Stoner as Director of Corporate Services, following a competitive recruitment process.
Marc will join the GOC on 1st September 2025. He will lead the organisation’s Corporate Services Directorate, which incorporates its finance, facilities and IT teams, as well as its registration function. Marc will also join the GOC’s senior management team and spearhead the GOC’s work in audit, risk and assurance, as well as support the GOC’s Investment Committee and Audit, Risk and Finance Committee.
Marc has a strong track record of strategic leadership across finance, IT, facilities and risk management in the public and regulatory space. Before joining the GOC, Marc was the Director of Resources at the Architects Registration Board, having served as its Acting Chief Executive in 2020.
Chief Executive Leonie Milliner said: “I am pleased to announce Marc Stoner as the Director of Corporate Services. Marc brings a wealth of strategic financial, risk and leadership expertise and experience within a similar regulatory body, all of which will enable us to successfully execute our 2025-2030 corporate strategy and expertly deliver our regulatory responsibilities. I am looking forward to welcoming Marc to the GOC in September 2025.
This is an exciting time for us; for a third year we have met all 18 of the Professional Standards Authority’s Standards of Good Regulation, and our focus now is to consolidate and extend our achievements; achieve significant operational and customer-service improvements and ensure we meet current and anticipated regulatory needs and public protection within an ever-changing landscape.”
Marc Stoner said: “I feel incredibly privileged to be joining the GOC. I’ve always been motivated by roles that make a difference and the GOC’s work to protect the public and support the optical professions is something I’m proud to be part of. I’m looking forward to working with colleagues to further strengthen the organisation’s resilience and make sure we are set up to deliver the organisation’s strategy both now and into the future.
I bring with me a passion for public service, a strong track record of leadership across finance, IT, HR and governance, and a collaborative approach to getting things done. I’m excited to be part of the GOC’s journey as we adapt to new challenges and opportunities across the sector.
I am looking forward to getting started, learning more about the sector and working collaboratively with colleagues and stakeholders to help the GOC deliver on its ambitions.”
