Chris Bennett: Need for unified voice as pressing as ever

‘A house divided cannot stand’, said FODO boss David Hewlett as the champagne corks popped in Park Lane at the official launch of the Optical Confederation back in 2010. Hewlett is no Abraham Lincoln but he knows how to rattle out a decent sound bite and he chose some apposite words.

It wouldn’t be overstating the situation to say it hasn’t been a good week for the OC. A real hope for harmony arrived with the tanned visage of Chris Hunt. A life member of ABDO and the FMO, former President of the AOP and Master of the Worshipful Company of Spectacle makers. He may be better remembered as the MD of Rodenstock and founder of its Club concept. If anyone could weave the disparate strands of optics into a rope of unity for the sector surely he was the man. Sadly no, he leaves his chairmanship of the OC later this month.