Our Practitioners

• 

  Ms Gillian Whitby

  BSC (HONS) MCOPTOM

  Principal Optometrist

  One of the founding partners of Fleet Street Clinic, Gillian Whitby trained in optometry in Glasgow and has been GOC registered since 1982.  With over thirty years’ experience of general clinical optometry, Gillian has worked in Fleet Street since 1983, establishing her own independent practice Whitby & Co in 1995. She heads up a great Optometric team and has built an extensive, wide-ranging referral network.

  Highly sought-after for her expertise, Gillian offers patients a unique blend of excellent eye care and her friendly, welcoming approach: “listening to patients’ needs is paramount”. She enjoys problem-solving and helping patients who have been visually unfulfilled elsewhere. Gillian counts one of her career highlights as testing and looking after one of our former Prime Ministers when he was in office. He is still a client to this day.

  Gillian is regularly instructed in Optometric legal matters and enjoys being an expert witness. When she is not at work, she is busy travelling with her husband Richard, or spending time with her 3 sons. A keen chef, she spends a lot of time entertaining in the kitchen.

   

• 

  Mr Nish Dattani

  BSc (Hons)

  OPTOMETRIST & CONTACT LENS PRACTITIONER

  Nish Dattani gained his BSc hon degree in optometry from the University of Bradford in 1999. 

  Having gained membership to the General Optical Council (GOC) and Association of Optometrists  (AOP) in 2000, he worked closely with optometry students preparing and guiding them through their professional exams.

  Over the past 20 years, Nish has worked exclusively in the independent optometric sector across London serving patients in Knightsbridge, Mayfair, Marylebone, and Soho.

  Outside of work, Nish is a keen sportsman and loves travelling.

• 

  Ms Lavinia De Souza

  BSC (HONS) MED BIOCHEM, BSC (HONS) OPTOM, MCOPTOM

  OPTOMETRIST & CONTACT LENS PRACTITIONER

  Lavinia graduated from Brunel University in 1999 as a Medical Biochemist and joined Moorfields Eye Hospital, Institute of Ophthalmology, where her research into “Angiogenesis and Drug Resistance in Uveal Melanoma” resulted in the publication of two papers. She then graduated as an Optometrist from City University in 2002.

  Soon after, Lavinia was awarded the ‘Stephen Dawson prize for Clinical Excellence’ from the Institute of Optometry, London. She achieved membership to the College of Optometrists in 2003 and is also a member of the General Optical Council and the Association of Optometrists. She has WOPEC accreditations and certificates in Glaucoma, Cataracts and Minor Eye Conditions from Cardiff University and is a MECs accredited practitioner.

  Lavinia joined Whitby & Co Opticians in 2006 and excels at building trusting relationships and delivering the best possible clinical service. In 2016, Lavinia became a Freeman of The Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers.  In 2017, she was invited to be ‘clothed as of the Livery’ and became a Liveryman.  In 2017, Lavinia was honoured by receiving her ‘Freedom of The City of London’.

  As well as being in practice, Lavinia also lectures and teaches at The Institute of Optometry and City University.

  Outside of work, Lavinia is kept busy with her young family.  She still keeps up her passion of ballroom and latin dancing, where she has attained international gold medals.

  In the words of one of our patients, “Lavinia is highly professional, knowledgeable and reassuring”.

• 

  Ms Neelam Mohamed

  BSc (Hons)

  OPTOMETRIST

  Neelam is an experienced specialist optometrist who initially joined Whitby & Co to provide maternity cover back in 2018. She quickly became a valuable member of the optical team due to her approachable personality and professional manner and has remained on as one of our regular optometrists ever since. 

  She has always been passionate about optometry and graduated from Cardiff University in 2009 with a BSc (hons) degree in Optometry and Vision Science.

  Over the past 12 years, she has primarily worked in the independent optometric sector across London providing primary eye care services. She practices alongside consultants who provide refractive vision correction such as laser eye surgery, cataract surgery, and corneal pathology.

  Neelam has maintained continuous active memberships with the General Optical Council (GOC) and the Association of Optometrists (AOP) since 2007.

  When she is not practising eye care, Neelam is an active member of the community and carries out various voluntary work including: helping to organise international sporting events and tournaments, assisting teaching at a Saturday school, and hosting youth clubs. Outside of her voluntary work, she enjoys travelling and experiencing new cultures; Following a trip with friends to Trinidad and Tobago, she was inspired by their inclusive and joyful culture and has since become a member of the Notting Hill Carnival committee.

• 

  Mrs Fazlin Jetha

  BSc (Hons)

  OPTOMETRIST

  Fazlin graduated with a BSc Honours in Ophthalmic Dispensing with Management in 2001, from Anglia Ruskin University, and then studied Optometry at the University of Manchester, graduating with a BSc Honours degree in 2004.

  She undertook further training at the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading, the Institute of Optometry in London, and an independent practice in Kensington.

  This was followed by full registration with the General Optical Council, the College of Optometrists and the Association of Optometrists.

  After an 18-month career break in 2012 to help her husband set up a business in Chicago with his MBA friends, Fazlin returned in 2014 to raise their young family. In her spare time, she carries out volunteer work and is an active member and secretary of her Local Optical Committee.

  A keen learner, Fazlin has continued with her studies by completing a certificate in Lifelong Learning with the London School of Economics as well as achieving certificates in Glaucoma, Cataracts and Minor Eye Conditions from Cardiff University.

  The COVID-19 pandemic did not interrupt her studies: while homeschooling her young children, she also completed postgraduate courses in Independent Prescribing with Ulster University, obtaining a distinction, and in Leadership. She is currently taking a distance learning course with Cardiff University, leading to a Professional Certificate in Glaucoma.

  Fazlin joined Whitby & Co. in 2021 and enjoys applying her extensive knowledge and expertise to provide our patients with top quality eyecare.

• 

  Ms Shani Mengal

  FBDO

   

  DISPENSING OPTICIAN & LAB TECHNICIAN

   

  Shani graduated as an Ophthalmic Dispensing Optician in 2010 from City and Islington College. The majority of her career has been spent in the City, serving high profile and affluent clients.

  Shani became a part of the team at Whitby & Co. in May 2015. She keeps up with current trends to ensure her clients are in vogue.

  ‘What I love most about my job is utilising my flair for fashion. Whilst glasses should be fit for purpose, they also make a statement, so getting to know my clients and understanding what suits their style is equally important.’