After undertaking a PhD in Neurobiology, Candy held a British Heart Foundation Basic Science Lectureship at University College London before joining Wellcome in 1996. Previous roles at Wellcome include leadership of the personal award schemes for basic scientists in the UK – from PhD Programmes through to the suite of research fellowship schemes and Investigator Awards. More recently, she focussed on providing expert support and guidance to Wellcome grant holders, as well as those seeking funding. As Head of Science Transition, Candy looked after a diverse portfolio of activities that were established before the launch of Wellcome’s current strategy to ensure their success and impact was maximised.
Marsha De Cordova is a British politician and advocate for equality and inclusion. She has served as a Member of Parliament and held roles championing education, disability rights, and social justice. Marsha is passionate about empowering underrepresented communities, promoting accessibility, and driving positive change through policy, advocacy, and public engagement.
Ms Evelyn (Evie) Mensah is a Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon and Clinical Lead for Ophthalmology at Central Middlesex Hospital, London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust. She also serves as Co-Lead for the North West London Ophthalmology Clinical Reference Group. Trained at Imperial College and Moorfields Eye Hospital, Evie specialises in medical retinal disease and complex cataract surgery. She is actively involved in training ophthalmology specialists, developing extended clinical roles across multidisciplinary teams, and promoting global eye health initiatives. Evie is also a past Diversity Lead for Women in Vision UK, advocating for equality and inclusion within the profession.
Miss Rebecca Ford is a Consultant Oculoplastic and Orbital Surgeon at Bristol Eye Hospital, with expertise in complex eyelid and orbital conditions. She is actively involved in medical education, serving as Chair of the Education Committee at the Royal College of Ophthalmology and Head of School for the Severn Ophthalmology Training Programme. Rebecca is also committed to charitable work, mentoring, and promoting equality and professional development for women in ophthalmology worldwide.
Deborah Laing is a skilled professional in the charity sector, with fifteen years’ experience at local and national charities. Deborah is passionate about inclusion, mentorship, and promoting excellence within the profession.
Mrs Sabrina Shah-Desai is a highly experienced eye and facial rejuvenation specialist with over two decades of surgical and non-surgical practice in the UK.
She is listed on the Royal College of Surgeons of England register of Board-Certified Cosmetic Surgeons, reflecting her expertise, commitment to high clinical standards, and the trust she has earned from both patients and peers.
Her work has been consistently recognised in the Tatler Top Doctors Guide as a leading expert in eye treatments for six consecutive years (2019–2024). She has also received multiple industry awards, including Best Aesthetic Doctor (Safety in Beauty Diamond Award 2023) and Consultant Surgeon of the Year (Aesthetic Awards 2021), alongside recognition for surgical excellence and medical aesthetics.
In 2019, she was named among the Global 100 Most Influential Aesthetic Practitioners by MyFaceMyBody.
Known for combining technical expertise with a patient-centred and empathetic approach, she is widely regarded as a trusted specialist in her field.
Professor Alice Roberts is a distinguished academic, anatomist, and public educator, renowned for her work in anatomy, human evolution, and archaeology. She combines research, teaching, and media engagement to inspire public interest in science and medicine. Professor Roberts is passionate about education, mentorship, and promoting diversity and inclusion in scientific and academic communities.
Professor Mala Rao is a distinguished public health expert with extensive experience in health policy, global health, and epidemiology. She has advised governments and international organisations on public health strategy, health equity, and workforce planning, with a particular focus on improving health outcomes for underserved communities. Professor Rao is committed to mentoring the next generation of health professionals and promoting leadership, inclusion, and evidence-based practice across health systems.
Dr Pretty Basra is a multi-passionate entrepreneur and TedX speaker helping professionals and healthcare leaders master the mental fitness, mindset, and strategy it takes to create high-performing teams and thriving businesses.
As an award-winning optometrist and 7-figure business owner, she blend science, strategy, and soul to help others lead with clarity, confidence, and purpose.
Judith Potts is a former actor, acting and presentation coach, working under her stage name – Judith Fielding. She founded Act One, a company that offered drama classes for children and presentation coaching for adults.
From 2010 to 2019, she wrote a health column for The Telegraph, drawing on her personal experiences — including her own journey with breast cancer — to highlight the work of the health charities. When her mother, Esme, developed Charles Bonnet Syndrome (CBS), this became a feature of the Column.
In 2015 she launched Esme’s Umbrella — first as an Awareness Campaign and then, in 2021, this became a fully-registered charity— to raise awareness of CBS, offer support to adults and children who develop CBS, and inspire vitally-needed research.
Judith has written widely on CBS in academic and clinical contexts, contributing to journals, conferences, podcasts, webinars and public events.
In recognition of her work, she received a Times Sternberg Active Life Award in 2025, honouring her “tireless, unpaid work to raise awareness of Charles Bonnet Syndrome.”
Professor Majlinda Lako is an accomplished researcher and academic specializing in stem cell biology, regenerative medicine, and translational research. She is committed to advancing scientific knowledge, mentoring emerging scientists, and promoting collaboration across research and clinical communities. Professor Lako is passionate about innovation, inclusion, and fostering opportunities for the next generation of researchers in biomedical science.
Professor Flavia Senkubuge is a South African physician, professor of public health medicine, an advocate of global public health and the immediate past President of the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa. At age 39, she was the college’s youngest ever president and the first Black woman to hold the position.
Mr Naresh Joshi is a Consultant Oculoplastic Surgeon based in London. He completed a Corneal Fellowship at the Proctor Foundation in San Francisco, followed by an Oculoplastic Fellowship at Moorfields Eye Hospital. He co-founded the Cranio-Orbital Service at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital.
He is a founding member and past President of the British Oculoplastic Surgery Society, the UK representative and an Executive Member of the European Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and the Founder and Chairman of the World Society of Ophthalmic Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery.
Professor Clare Gilbert worked as a clinical ophthalmologist in the UK for 10 years before working on international eye health. She joined LSHTM in 2002 where her work focuses on eye diseases in low- and middle-income countries.
Clare has several awards for her work including from the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the International Council of Ophthalmology and an Honorary Fellowship from the Royal College of Ophthalmologists, UK. She was in the 2021 Power List of the Top 100 Women in Ophthalmology
Lola Solebo is a Clinician Scientist and Consultant Paediatric Ophthalmologist. Her work investigates the characterisation on the natural history and the determinants of outcome for children with treatable eye disorders, particularly uveitis and cataract, and how best to translate those findings into changes in practice and policy. She currently plays a role in supporting WVUK members interested in clinical academia.
Professor Dame Carrie MacEwan is Chair of the GMC, appointed in May 2022.
Carrie has been a member of Council since January 2021 and served as Acting Chair from August 2021 to May 2022.
Carrie is a consultant ophthalmologist for NHS Tayside and Honorary Professor at the University of Dundee. She served as Chair of the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges until 2020 and is Past-President of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists.
Carrie was specialty ophthalmology advisor to the Scottish Chief Medical Officer for over a decade and led the Scottish Eyecare Workstream, ceasing this role in June 2022. She was the clinical co-lead for the ophthalmology ‘Getting It Right First Time’ programme and the Eye Care Recovery and Transformation Programme for NHS England/Improvement. She was Associate Dean for Less than Full Time Training for East Scotland from 2007 to 2022 and a member of the medical team for Scotland during the 2007 Rugby World Cup.
Dr Tamsin Callaghan is an experienced clinician and researcher in the field of vision and eye care. She is committed to advancing clinical practice, fostering professional development, and supporting evidence-based research to improve patient outcomes. Dr Callaghan is passionate about mentoring emerging professionals and promoting inclusion, collaboration, and excellence across the vision and ophthalmology community.
Dr Lyabode (Oni) Blackstock is an American primary care and HIV physician, researcher, and founder of Health Justice, a racial and health equity consulting practice.
She previously served as Assistant Commissioner for the Bureau of HIV at the New York City Department of Health, where she led the city’s response to the HIV epidemic.
Her work and research focus on health and racial equity, with particular attention to the experiences of women and people of colour in healthcare. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she provided public guidance on sexual health, HIV care, and the intersection of HIV and COVID-19, supporting both patients and healthcare providers.
Fiona Hathorn is a respected diversity and inclusion expert, author and speaker, and the Founder of Women in Banking & Finance. She works with organisations across sectors to improve gender balance, leadership diversity and inclusive workplace cultures. Fiona is known for her practical, evidence-based approach to driving change and has advised senior leaders, boards and policymakers on building fairer and more effective organisations. She is a passionate advocate for equality and is widely recognised for her work championing women’s progression and representation at leadership level.
Miss Lydia Chang is a Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon with sub-specialty expertise in glaucoma, trained at Moorfields Eye Hospital in London.
She provides comprehensive ophthalmology services, including the diagnosis and treatment of common eye conditions such as dry eye, blepharitis, conjunctivitis, and red, painful or blurred vision. She also specialises in the assessment and medical management of glaucoma.
Her surgical practice includes cataract surgery, glaucoma procedures, and minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS), including iStent® implantation, as well as laser treatments such as selective laser trabeculoplasty and laser iridotomy.
With a strong research-informed background, she takes an evidence-based, patient-centred approach and is experienced in interpreting complex glaucoma cases using advanced diagnostic technologies.
Dawn A. Sim, FRCOphth, currently works as a Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon at Moorfields Eye Hospital, United Kingdom, specializing in Medical Retina & Cataract. Dr Sim obtained her medical degree from St George’s Hospital, University of London, and did her PhD research at the Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London. Dr Sim’s primary areas of interest include retinal imaging, teleophthalmology, and the potential use of regenerative medicine in the treatment of diabetic eye disease.