ABDO awards Medal of Excellence to Jo Underwood 

Founding principal of ABDO College, Jo Underwood, has been presented with the Association of British Dispensing Optician’s (ABDO) Medal of Excellence in recognition of her outstanding service and commitment to the Association.

ABDO president, Daryl Newsome, presented the surprise award during the ABDO graduation and prize-giving ceremony at Canterbury Cathedral on April 24, following a citation speech by ABDO head of examinations, Mark Chandler.

Expressing her appreciation, Underwood said: ‘I am honoured and delighted to receive this award for things I love, and have always loved, doing.'

After helping to establish ABDO College in 2000, Underwood stayed as its principal for 21 years and retired in 2021, but she continues to teach and act as discipline lead.