General Optical Council
Other · registered 2012
What the charity does
We are the regulator for the optical professions in the UK. Our statutory role is to protect and promote the health and safety of members of the public by promoting high standards of professional education, conduct and performance among our registrants. We currently register around 26,000 optometrists, dispensing opticians, student opticians and optical businesses.
Income and spending
Income Spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31 March 2025 | £12,176,749 | £13,110,337 |
| 31 March 2024 | £11,227,000 | £11,971,000 |
| 31 March 2023 | £10,340,000 | £10,538,000 |
| 31 March 2022 | £10,037,000 | £9,493,000 |
| 31 March 2021 | £11,681,000 | £8,593,000 |
Charity details
- Charity number
- 1150137
- Registered
- 12 December 2012
- Latest income
- £12,176,749 (year to 31 March 2025)
- Latest spending
- £13,110,337
- Reporting
- Submission Received
- Gift Aid
- Not registered
Contact
- Address
- General Optical Council, Part Floor 29, 1 Canada Square, London, E14 5AA
- Phone
- 020 7580 3898
- Website
- optical.org
Official record: Charity Commission register, charity number 1150137.
What the charity does
Who it helps
How it helps
Where it operates
Charitable objects
To promote and maintain the health and safety of members of the public by promoting high standards of professional education, conduct and performance among optometrists and dispensing opticians, and those training to be optometrists and dispensing opticians, and in particular: (a) By the maintenance of registers of the names of persons who are fit to practise as optometrists or dispensing opticians, or to undertake training to enable them to become optometrists or opticians;(b) By defining, creating and maintaining an effective structure for professional education and training among optometrists and dispensing opticians and among persons seeking to qualify as optometrists or dispensing opticians, and supervising the provision of such education and training;(c) By ensuring that only those who are fit to practise as optometrists or dispensing opticians, or to train for such practice, in fact do so;(d) By the provision of appropriate advice and guidance to those who are fit to practise as optometrists or dispensing opticians, or to train for such practice.
Area of benefit: England and Wales
Governing document: Opticians act 1989 as amended by the medical act 1983 (amendment) and miscellaneous amendments order 2006
Employees earning over £60,000
- £60,001–£70,000 · 7 employees
- £70,001–£80,000 · 6 employees
- £80,001–£90,000 · 1 employee
- £100,001–£110,000 · 4 employees
- £120,001–£130,000 · 1 employee
- £130,001–£140,000 · 1 employee
- £150,001–£200,000 · 1 employee
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Questions and answers
What is the charity number of General Optical Council?
General Optical Council is registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales under charity number 1150137.
How much income does General Optical Council have?
In the financial year ending 31 March 2025 the charity had an income of £12,176,749 and spent £13,110,337.
How many employees of General Optical Council earn over £60,000?
21 employees received total benefits over £60,000 in the latest annual return.