David Scott-Ralphs steps down as VAO chair

The chair left his role with the charity last week (22 September)

2 min read

27 September 2018

David Scott-Ralphs (pictured) has stepped down as chair of Vision Aid Overseas (VAO) after six years in the position.

Mr Scott-Ralphs officially left the role during the charity’s annual general meeting on Saturday (22 September). During the meeting, Professor Nora Colton was named as new chair.

Professor Colton is director of education at University College London, Institute of Ophthalmology and Moorfields Eye Hospital. She was previously deputy vice chancellor and acting vice chancellor at the University of East London.

Standing down as chair, Mr Scott-Ralphs said: “It has been a great privilege to chair VAO for the past six years and I’m really delighted that Nora Colton will be taking over from me. I know that Nora will be a huge asset as the charity continues its growth and development over the next period. I wish her all the very best and hope she enjoys the role as much as I have.”

A spokesperson for the charity said that Mr Scott-Ralphs joined at “a really challenging time.”

“However, over the past few years he has led the organisation with integrity, humility and vision enabling us to grow from strength to strength both financially and operationally,” they added.

Treasurer of VAO, Peter Corbett, added: “David has provided great leadership for VAO over the last six years, enabling us to reach many more people who desperately needed eye care.”

Since the establishment of VAO 33 years ago, the charity has evolved its model from providing ‘aid’ delivered by professional optical volunteers from the UK, to fully utilising their skills and expertise in helping to train local staff to provide eye care and in establishing services. Optical volunteers now support VAO in the establishment of sustainable eye care programmes that enable people living with poor eye sight across Africa to access affordable eye care and glasses from locally trained eye care workers.

During the AGM four new trustees were elected to board. These included Dr Hannah Faal, Ian Davies, Stephen Thompson and Ronnie Graham.