Honours for optics

Rosie Varley, chairman of the General Optical Council, was among a clutch of optical folk who received recognition in The New Year Honours list.

Varley was awarded the Order of the British Empire for her services to the NHS and healthcare through her work on the NHS appointments commission and through her chairmanship of the GOC. Also receiving the OBE was Douglas Anderson, founder of Optos Plc, for services to the life sciences.

Varley said she was overwhelmed to receive the award and paid tribute to the many colleagues she has worked with during her 30-year career in healthcare. Of her time in optics she said: 'My involvement with the world of optics over the last eight years has been enormously rewarding and I will continue to do all I can to gain greater government recognition of the critical role of the optical profession.'