Judy is a pharmacist and qualified in 1997 from University of Bradford. Previously working as Director of Contractor services for Community Pharmacy Wales she stepped up as Acting Chief Executive for CPW for 6 months during 2023. She has worked for CPW since 2010 and has been heavily involved in contract negotiation and the development of the new community pharmacy contract that launched in 2022. During her time with CPW, community pharmacy in Wales has changed out of all recognition and so has the organisation and she has worked hard to build contractor and stakeholder relationships and engagement, including working alongside Optometry Wales to create some community pharmacy/ optometry briefings and training on the Common Ailments service in community pharmacy and the then Welsh Eye Care Services. Prior to working for CPW she was a Regional Committee member in her roles working as Area Managers for Rowlands Pharmacy and Lloyds Pharmacy.
Judy’s first introduction to the world of optometry was in 2006 when she was a Group store manager (area manager) for Boots and had two North Wales Boots Opticians practices under her remit.
Debbie started her career path as a Company Analyst. She quickly moved up the ranks and headed up a team of 18 analysts specialising in insurance analysis for the credit industry, encompassing a whole range of professions and retail outlets as well as manufacturers to farming. She has worked within Optometry for 18 years as a business owner and practice manager encompassing all roles including human resources, dispensing, stock purchase, glazing and accounting to name but a few of the many hats that are worn in this position. Most recently she worked as a dispenser in a Pharmacy until she took up this position in Optometry Wales.
Patient care and staff welfare have always been at the centre of her working values and one that she continues to promote and embed in her work with Optometry Wales.
Sharon brings to the role many years of experience as an Optometric Adviser for Cardiff and Vale and her role in
developing the Open Eyes platform which will allow electronic referrals from community to the hospital eye
service. Sharon was director of two Optometry practices for 16 years in South-East Wales before joining Cardiff University in 2017 as lecturer at the Wales Optometry Postgraduate Education Centre (WOPEC) overseeing the Eye Health Examination Wales (EHEW) training and accreditation programme before becoming co-clinical lead of the EHEW Service. In 2019, Sharon joined Cardiff and Vale University Health Board as optometry advisor and has been involved in the national digitisation programme and implementation of new enhanced shared care services in primary care Optometry practices. Sharon continues to tutor on post-graduate courses at WOPEC and practises in both primary care and Medical Retina clinics.
Leah started her employment in the telecommunications industry as a technical support advisor. She enjoyed helping people and the challenges of resolving issues. She then had the opportunity to put her skills into helping real life situations as an emergency call handler for the Welsh Ambulance Service. Leah gained valuable interpersonal skills whilst working with the Welsh Ambulance Service and has developed a keen eye for problem solving. Leah is an avid follower of modern technology and will be putting that interest to good use as she is now organising our social media channels. As Administrator, she is also looking forward to meeting you all at the ROC meetings.