fodo elects first ever woman to council

The managing director of Healthcall Optical, Jayne Rawlinson (pictured with Federation of Ophthalmic and Dispensing Opticians chairman Arthur Swain), has become the first woman to join the Council of FODO. Ms Rawlinson's appointment was one of a number of changes to the Council at the federation's AGM held in Birmingham ahead of Optrafair. The managing director of Scrivens Opticians, Nicholas Georgevic, replaces previous incumbent Tony Hewitt who is retiring. Mr Hewitt was chairman of FODO from 1990-92 and more recently chairman of the companies committee of the GOC, during which time he increased its standing as a statutory body. John Thorpe, who has been FODO vice-president for the past four years, is also retiring. Mr Thorpe was FODO chairman, general secretary and chairman of the Society of Opticians. He was also chairman of the Intra-Professional Forum for two years and oversaw development in key areas of scope of practice and modernising education. Mr Swain paid tribute to the contribution both men had made to the profession and announced that they would become FODOlife members.