Derek McLaren remembered

A new optical award has been created by the Federation of Manufacturing Opticians to honour the memory of former dispensing optician and industry leader Derek McLaren.

The FMO Derek McLaren Memorial Prize will be presented to the highest ranking UK student in the ADBO final qualifying examination each year.

'Derek was so actively involved with the FMO, where he provided valuable support to the standards panel and frame groups, and was an ABDO examiner for many years. It seems very fitting that these two aspects of his optical life come together in this prize,' said Barry Dibble, FMO chairman.

This year's prize will be presented at the ABDO Graduation and Prize Giving Ceremony in Canterbury on November 23 by Christine McLaren, Derek's widow, an optometrist who practises in Stamford, Lincolnshire.