ABDO director of education appointed

The Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO) has appointed Alicia Thompson as the new director of education, research and professional development.

Thompson will be responsible for registerable qualifications, post-graduate qualifications and awards, developing a new programme for academic advancement, and managing ABDO’s reformed Research and Clinical Committee.

Thompson’s former role, director of professional examinations, will be succeeded by Miranda Richardson, and will be titled as head of professional qualifications and education.

ABDO general secretary, Sir Tony Garratt, commented on Thompson’s new appointment: ‘Alicia is an outstanding optical educator with a well-deserved and growing international reputation. This appointment demonstrates ABDO’s total commitment to enhancing the profession and developing and promoting the role of dispensing opticians.