AOP reports 5% membership increase in 2014

The Association of Optometrists (AOP) has reported a 5% increase in members across its paid membership grades, with nearly 16,000 members at the end of 2014. The Association’s Annual Report 2015 also highlights the AOP’s 99% membership retention rate. Membership growth increases the Association’s representative strength and the ability to build on the already highly valued and used member services package. 

2014 was one of the busiest years on record for the Association’s in-house legal, clinical and regulatory team, with the 11-strong team dealing with more than 3,000 member enquiries. In response to feedback from members, the AOP developed its sell-out programme of regional peer review and legal roadshows around the UK in 2014. The Association also reports on the importance of promoting members’ interests and the profession to government, the media and the general public. 

AOP Chief Executive, Henrietta Alderman, said: “The UK optical profession is changing rapidly and our members require the AOP to help shape the sector and positively affect their working lives. The commitment to protect, support and represent our individual members has always been at the heart of what we do and 2014 was no exception. Representing members continues to be high on our agenda, and we work with stakeholders to ensure our members’ voices are heard at a national level.” 

The report also includes feedback from members highlighting the positive benefits of AOP membership. 

“It has always been a comfort to have the AOP beside me” Suzanne Floyd

“I would urge all professional colleagues to seriously consider joining the AOP” P.E. Waite 

“I contacted the AOP as I was struggling with a tax issue. I was delighted to receive an immediate response from one of their team. I will not hesitate to contact the AOP in future” Marc Drake 

The Annual Report 2015 and full accounts are available on the AOP website. 

Ends 

For more information, please contact Anne Grenyer, PR and Media Manager at the Association of Optometrists, [email protected] or telephone 020 7549 2063. 

Notes to Editors 

Association of Optometrists 

Formed in 1946, the Association of Optometrists (AOP) is the only organisation that represents both optometry as a profession and the views of individual optometrists. Its core purpose is to provide unrivalled support enabling professionals to deliver high quality eye care with confidence. With nearly 16,000 members, the AOP represents and promotes the interests of its members to stakeholders in the UK and Europe. As a founding member of the Optical Confederation, the AOP works closely with other optical bodies to lobby national decision makers on issues related to the eye health agenda.