Anthony Blackman

Anthony has a professional background as an Optician but has also been a leading educator in the field, spending over five years as Programme Director and Senior Lecturer in Vision Science at Canterbury Christ Church University, as well as being Principal Examiner, Chief Practical Examiner, and member of the Qualifications Committee at the Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers.

In 2017 he left to start his own training company, Insight Optical Training, offering workshops, courses and qualifications to support staff as well as CPD to professionals.

Alongside his optical and academic career, Anthony has held a number of board positions, starting in 2013 as a Director for the Association of British Dispensing Opticians. This was followed by trustee positions with the British Council for Prevention of Blindness, Vision Care for Homeless People, Emmaus Medway, Communigrow, Kent Association for the Blind, and Lay member of the Education and Learning Committee of the Chartered Insurance Institute.

His current non-executive portfolio includes:

• Chair of the Transforming Autism Project

• Trustee of the Association of Chairs

• Trustee of Carers Support East Kent (and Chair of the Risk, Governance and Quality Committee)

• Independent board member at IOSH (and Chair of the Performance and Development Committee)

• Council member at the British Contact Lens Association (and Chair of the Fellowship subcommittee)

Alongside Anthony’s many qualifications, he has studied for a certificate in Accountancy and a Certificate in Charity Law and Governance. He is currently working towards his chartered status with the Institute of Directors and the Chartered Institute of Educational Assessors.

In 2023 Anthony took a break from working in high street practice to take up the role of Digital Learning Manager for the British Geriatric Society but continues to carry out work for the General Optical Council reviewing CPD, and as a Chief Examiner for NCFE.