Comedian and health campaigner Dr Phil Hammond to host AOP Awards
The Association of Optometrists (AOP) has announced that Dr Phil Hammond will host the AOP Awards 2018. The journalist, broadcaster, campaigner and comedian will take to the stage as part of a night of celebration of optics, on Sunday, 28 January 2018.
A regular on shows such as Have I Got News for You, The News Quiz, The One Show and Countdown, Dr Hammond will be presenting 15 awards, including, for the first time, Health and Wellbeing Practice of the Year.
Commenting on the AOP Awards 2018, which are sponsored by CooperVision, Dr Hammond said: “I am very excited to be involved with the 2018 AOP Awards. Last year’s entries showed just how much ambition and passion there is within the profession, and I’m looking forward to meeting those making an important difference in this vital sector.”
Qualifying as a GP in 1991, Dr Hammond currently works in a specialist NHS centre for children and adolescents with the chronic fatigue syndrome, ME. Previous roles include lecturing in medical communication at the Universities of Bristol and Birmingham, and presenting on BBC Radio Bristol. Dr Hammond has been Private Eye’s medical correspondent for 25 years’ and has presented five series of Trust Me, I’m a Doctor on BBC2.
AOP Chief Executive, Henrietta Alderman, said that Dr Hammond was a fitting host for the 2018 ceremony, commenting; “Wellbeing in the profession is a key strand of work for the AOP and with this year’s Awards recognising the importance of wellbeing at work, Phil Hammond, who’s dedicated so much of his time to improving the quality of life for others, feels like the ideal choice.”
Following a public vote, which closes on 12 December, winners will be announced at a black-tie ceremony taking place at ExCeL London as part of leading education event 100% Optical. Members of the profession are invited to join industry leaders and finalists for a night of entertainment, with both individual tickets and table bookings available. To find out more visit the AOP Awards’ booking page or email [email protected]
Ends
For more information, please contact Emily Campbell, PR and Marketing Officer, at the Association of Optometrists, [email protected] or telephone 020 7549 2040.
High quality images can be access in this Dropbox folder.
Notes to Editors
Association of Optometrists
The Association of Optometrists (AOP) is the leading representative membership organisation for optometrists in the UK. We support over 80% of practising optometrists, to fulfil their professional roles to protect the nation’s eye health. As a founding member of the Optical Confederation we work with others to improve eye health for the public good. For more information, visit www.aop.org.uk
AOP Awards
Now in its seventh year, the AOP Awards has become a highlight of the optical calendar. Taking place at ExCeL London on Sunday, 28 January, the 2018 AOP Awards, supported by headline sponsor CooperVision, will recognise achievement in 15 categories.
The following awards are open to public vote from 29 September to 2pm 12 December 2017, following shortlisting by a panel of expert judges:
- Charity of the Year, sponsored by Lloyd and Whyte
- Contact Lens Practitioner of the Year, sponsored by CooperVision
- Dispensing Optician of the Year
- Health and Wellbeing Practice of the Year
- Lecturer of the Year, sponsored by Specsavers
- Marketing Initiative of the Year, sponsored by Vitabiotics
- Newly-qualified Optometrist of the Year, sponsored by Leightons Opticians and Hearing Care
- Optometrist of the Year, sponsored by Grafton Optical
- Optical Team of the Year
- Practice of the Year, sponsored by Optos
- Student of the Year
- Young Practice of the Year
The following members’ choice awards will be decided by an AOP member-only vote open from 29 September to 12 December 2017, following shortlisting by a panel of expert judges:
- Frame of the Year
- Product of the Year
The following award will be decided by an internal judging panel of industry experts:
- Lifetime Achievement Award, sponsored by Alcon