Charity merger

Global charity Optometry Giving Sight (OGS) has announced its merger with the Brien Holden Vision Institute Foundation.

The organisations said that the decision is “based on a desire to ensure that by working more closely together, we can achieve more significant and sustained outcomes.”

Recognising the work of OGS since it was established 14 years ago, its chair, Dr Juan Carlos Aragon, said that the charity has “done a great job” in mobilising resources and has supported over 117 eye care projects in 39 countries during that time.

He explained that: “Our goal is to ensure the campaign can continue to grow and develop. The board feels this can be done most effectively as part of the Brien Holden Vision Institute Foundation.”

OGS global board members have been invited to join a newly-formed advisory board, while Dr Aragon will join the board of the Foundation.

Former CEO of OGS, Clive Miller, has moved into the role of global head of philanthropy for the foundation, while all other OGS employees remain at the merged organisation.

CEO of the Brien Holden Vision Institute Foundation, Professor Kovin Naidoo, said: “By merging our organisations we become more effective and gain the opportunity to maximise resources that we can dedicate to key programme areas. These include the Our Children’s Vision campaign, education and training for new and established optometrists in emerging communities, and a range of advocacy activities with organisations including the World Council of Optometry and International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness.”

OGS was established in 2013 by Brien Holden in partnership with the World Council of Optometry and the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness.