LOCSU Transformation Update
30 April 2026
Over the last few years, we have been on a journey to strengthen the LOCSU team and the offer that we provide to LOCs. Recognising the importance of personal relationships; at a time of NHS change, LOCSU is bringing stability. Every LOC will have a full time LOC Engagement Partner and part time Regional Optometry Partner for continuity of support.
Your designated team will bring increased availability and will have local knowledge, experience and understanding of primary care optometry through working within LOCs, optical practices and/or NHS primary care commissioning and contracting. In addition to sector knowledge, every member of LOCSU staff holds important subject matter expertise.
We are pleased to share the final structure of the LOCSU team, as outlined in this organisational chart. A culmination of significant engagement and listening to LOCs, the strengthened LOCSU team is designed to provide more support with the expertise you consider most important. Thank you to everyone who contributed to workshops and surveys to provide feedback and help shape this.
In addition to increased support, retention of the lower LOCSU levy is important – currently 0.4%, following a 20% reduction in April 2025. Alongside strengthening the LOCSU team, we have assessed efficient use of resources to ensure LOCSU continues to answer the LOC request of ‘more for less’.
Janice Foster, CEO at LOCSU, said: “LOC focused and performance driven, we have built the LOCSU team around LOCs, increasing expertise and capacity to ensure we offer professional support and value for money.
“We heard from LOCs that you wanted faster, named support; locally and nationally aligned advice and guidance; robust operational services; and increased evidence and expertise to influence decision makers as we all work to advance primary care optometry. This new structure allows us to provide this while increasing capacity and specialist support within LOCSU.”
Throughout the transition to the new structure, experienced LOCSU colleagues will work alongside newer team members to maintain the high-quality services and support LOCs currently enjoy. The below outlines key changes that LOCs should be aware of:
Advancement Leads to move to permanent Regional Optometry Partners
The current Advancement Lead contracts are due to end this summer. Although LOCs are familiar with this natural cycle of contracting, you have asked for more consistency. Therefore, moving forward, Advancement Leads will be known as Regional Optometry Partners and will be employed on a permanent basis to support relationship building and continuity.
Holding important local and regional relationships, it is important that the title resonates with LOCs and wider stakeholders. The change in title to Regional Optometry Partners better reflects the function of the role – LOCSU colleagues working in partnership with LOCs and local systems – and utilising familiar NHS terminology builds the bridge to assist regional influence.
We are also expanding the number of Regional Optometry Partners to increase support to LOCs – further details, and information on how to apply, can be found here.
Role promotions aligned to LOC priority areas
- Louise Robinson, previously Business and Operations Development Lead, has been promoted to Head of Governance and Operations, with a focus on enhancing LOC operations and succession planning.
- Fionnuala Kidd, previously Senior Advancement Lead, has been promoted to Head of Regional Optometry Partnerships, with a focus on supporting and enabling LOC influence with regional and local NHS systems.
- Chessie George, previously Communications and Engagement Lead, has been promoted to Communications and Engagement Manager, with a focus on supporting LOC communications and showcasing LOCs and eye care services.
- Lisa Stonham, previously Data Insights and Information Officer, has been promoted to Data Insights and Information Lead, with a focus on building evidence bases and supporting LOC digital capability.
New roles to increase capacity for an improved LOC experience
We are particularly excited to introduce two new roles to the LOCSU team. Ashley Stone has joined the team on a permanent basis as LOC Coordinator – Communications, alongside Kizzy Donaldson who joined the team as LOC Coordinator – Administration.
Both roles focus on further improving customer service, with timely communications that ensure enquiries and requests for support reach the right people efficiently. They will also provide direct support to LOCs in coordinating meetings, events and external messaging.
We will be sharing further introductions to the whole LOCSU team, outlining their roles and portfolios shortly and so please watch this space for more information.
Janice added: “This is an exciting time as we work together with LOCs to lead change, improve population health, and shape the future of local eye care. I am looking forward to expanding the talented LOCSU team with passionate people dedicated to advancing primary eye care services and making a difference for LOCs.”
If you would like any further information on the changes or are interested in the LOCSU Board LOC Representative or Regional Optometry Partner vacancies please do contact info@locsu.co.uk or speak with your Advancement Lead, who will be happy to discuss this with you further.