Team

Dharmesh Patel

Chief Executive Officer

Dharmesh brings unrivalled expertise to his role as CEO, with a strong clinical pedigree as well as wide-ranging expertise in service design and procurement. Dharmesh has been involved in the creation and leadership of primary eyecare companies since their inception in 2013.

He is a committee member of Greater Manchester East LOC and a member of the Greater Manchester Primary Care Provider Board and a former Chair of both the GM Local Eye Health Network and the Eyecare Trust.

Dharmesh also holds the role of CQC Registered Manager for Primary Eyecare Services.

Rupesh Bagdai

Professional Services Director

Rupesh has in-depth knowledge and experience of governance and safeguarding matters and expertise in Root Cause Analysis, as well as over 20 years clinical experience in multiples, independents and domiciliary care. He has undertaken a variety of leadership roles at various organisations including NHS Cheshire & Merseyside, Cheshire LOC and working for LOCSU as a Commissioning Lead.

Rupesh has strong interest and experience in working on reducing health inequalities in populations.

Richard Everitt

Service Development Director

Richard has spent most of his career in the private sector working in senior commercial roles for blue-chip companies. He first moved into the public sector in 2013 when he joined Herefordshire CCG leading a transformation programme to modify and improve services at Wye Valley Trust. This paved the way to his role at NHS England as the Senior Programme Lead for optometry within the central policy team. Over a 5-year period he managed all optometry related matters within primary care and led workstreams including IT connectivity, the development of the COVID Urgent Eyecare Service (CUES), plus the design and implementation of the Special Schools Eye Care Service.

Wendy Craven

Clinical Director

Wendy qualified as an optometrist in 2001 and after working in both the community and hospital sector she established her independent optometric practice in Rochdale. Wendy has vast experience of clinical leadership and has led services for primary eyecare companies since 2013 across Greater Manchester, East Lancashire and nationally.

Lisa Gibson

Clinical Director

Since qualifying as an optometrist in 2005, Lisa has worked for a multiple in various roles. She has a vast experience of the delivery of commissioned community services having worked within primary eyecare companies since 2015 in the North East and Nationally. Through leadership and communication, she ensures that services are provided effectively and efficiently.

Richard Rawlinson

Operations Director

Richard has an extensive background supporting the UK optical sector, NHS systems and NHS Acute Trusts. Over his thirty-year career as a Dispensing Optician, he has gained significant experience in relation to the development, delivery and operating of NHS primary eye care contracts. Richard is also a Trustee Director of Vision Aid Overseas and registrant case examiner for the General Optical Council.

Sam Carr

Finance Director

Sam is a CIMA qualified accountant with a proven track record of leading and managing highly effective finance functions and teams. He has worked in charities and SME’s but predominantly gained his experience working in a FTSE 100 company for 15 years in a variety of finance roles. Sam also acts as the Vice-Chair of Governors in a local SEND school and supports in a variety of roles with other not-for-profit organisations.