Historic changes

The newsletter is the third in a trio of major changes, coming hot on the heels of the release of our new website on Thursday, which seamlessly integrates content produced by the AOP and OT, and the launch of the monthly edition of the journal last week. Binding all this work together is a refreshed brand identity for the AOP, designed to put you, the member, at the heart of the Association. We hope you like what we have done.

With that in mind, it is fitting that on Thursday evening we celebrated the achievements of those within the profession at the AOP Awards. Now in its fifth year, the winners were revealed in front of more than 300 guests at a ceremony in Birmingham. Amongst the winners was optometrist Colin Tonner who was “gobsmacked” to be named Contact Lens Practitioner of the Year, and Lesley Cree Opticians, which took home the Young Practice of the Year accolade.

It was inspiring to spend an evening surrounded by people who are so passionate about the profession and the communities they serve. I say this with not only the winners in mind but also those who were shortlisted, from what the judges labelled a very high calibre pool of nominees.

Well-known and respected academic Dr Maggie Woodhouse was announced as the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award. During a career spanning more than 40 years, Dr Woodhouse has been pivotal to the key developments in eye care for children with Down’s syndrome, and is the worthiest of winners.