Press release: Miranda Richardson to become ABDO Head of Professional Qualifications and Education

Miranda Richardson will become Head of Professional Qualifications and Education for the Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO) with effect from today, August 1 2022. She succeeds Dr Alicia Thompson who has taken up a new role within ABDO as Director of Education, Research and Professional Development.

Miranda has been deputy to Alicia since September 2013. Commenting on Miranda’s appointment ABDO General Secretary Tony Garrett said, “I am delighted that Miranda has accepted this new position. She is an experienced and dedicated professional who brings considerable skill and knowledge to the role. ABDO’s Examination system will continue to be very safe hands.”

Commenting on her appointment, Miranda said, “It has been a real pleasure working alongside Alicia and the examinations department for the past nine years. I am honoured to accept the new role and will work hard to continue the excellent work that has already been done.

“When I registered as a FBDO qualified dispensing optician in 2000, I had no idea how far my chosen career would lead me. Initially I managed practices in both multiple and independent settings, allowing me to work with people from a variety of optical backgrounds and to successfully oversee two trainees, now qualified FBDO dispensing opticians. Working to support my local area committee and provision of CET, I also qualified as an ABDO practical examiner and theory marker, before accepting my role within examinations.

“Together with the new role and the changes brought in by the General Optical Council’s Education and Standards Review last year, I have a busy and exiting time ahead, not only implementing the new requirements for our qualifications, but also continuing to work closely with the GOC, all of our educational institutes and their students, manufacturers and employers, to ensure we maintain our high professional standards and continued advancements and recognition of our profession.”

To find out more about ABDO visit www.abdo.org.uk.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

1. Media enquiries to Antonia Chitty achitty@abdo.org.uk
2. ABDO represents over 6000 qualified dispensing opticians in the UK
3. Registered office Unit 2 Court Lodge Offices, Godmersham Park, Godmersham, Kent CT4 7DT
4. Biography Miranda Richardson: Graduating in 1995 with a degree in Environmental Biology I found a limited job market in my field and joined an optical practice as a temporary measure; I have not looked back. I registered as a qualified dispensing optician in 2000, when I was already working to develop the practice I was in as instore trainer. With an interest in management and training I went on to manage a number of practices, including one that was a start up and also to supervise two trainee dispensing opticians; now registered and running their own practices. In 2004 I became an ABDO practical examiner and theory marker alongside my work in practice, I also became an area committee member, for what was then Area 7, became the area Chairman and was also an ABDO CET committee member.

In 2014, I was fortunate enough to be employed as Assistant Director of Professional Exams for ABDO, where I am now involved in the continuous development and implementation of the ABDO Level 6 Diploma syllabus content, the modification of the practical examinations and the recruitment, training and support of the ABDO examiners. I visit the training institutes to review their course delivery and procedures, support students in their practical revision, provide lectures and support at institute, area and national events. My role also involves running the Association’s theory and practical examinations both in the UK and overseas. I regularly attend meetings on behalf of ABDO, including the Optical Confederation Joint Education Committee and Optical Suppliers Association (OSA) meetings and I have frequent consultations with the General Optical Council (GOC) on education and legislative matters. I am committed to highlighting the role of dispensing opticians.