Carswell at the helm until at least 2013

Richard Carswell will remain as interim chief executive of the Association of Optometrists until at least 2013 as the hunt for Bob Hughes' replacement continues.

Carswell was appointed as interim chief executive following the sudden departure of Hughes last November after seven years at the helm.

In response to speculation about finding a replacement, chairman David Shannon said an AOP board meeting last week agreed to continue Carswell's interim position. The hunt for a new chief executive to run the £6.6m Association is expected to take until next year.

At the time of the departure the AOP issued a statement saying Hughes had left the organisation 'to pursue new career opportunities'. Later Hughes told Optician his reasons for leaving would remain personal, while neither party would elaborate on the statement.