Q&As with the ABDO Board
Andrew Symons has a passion for all things contact lenses
In the first of a series of Q&As with ABDO Board members, Andrew Symons talks with Dispensing Optics editor, Nicky Collinson…
Q. Can you tell me a bit about your career so far?
A. Varied and highly rewarding. Highlights include being a contact lens optician in some large practices and sharing my passion for all things contact lenses, wider team development, and professional services manager roles, both in the field of CPD education and in partnership with pharma and contact lens manufacturers. My career has taken me around the world to Australia and New Zealand, the Nordics, Greece, Hungary… #DOsCanTravel
Q. What inspired you to put yourself forward to become an ABDO Board member?
A. I started as an advisor to the ABDO Board in June 2023 after specifically sounding out, and being very encouraged, by various industry colleagues that it was the right time due to my current and past career experience. I feel I am already making a positive impact at a time of great change.
Q. What are your special interests, and how do they fit in with your board member role?
A. Contact lenses, contact lenses, contact lenses. Keeping contact lenses on the agenda. As a profession, we need to offer the ‘full menu’ of vision correction options to every customer/patient.
Q. What successes have you seen during your tenure so far in terms of progressing the interests of members?
A. I see the high value of career progression pathways: optical assistant to dispensing optician (DO) to contact lens optician (CLO) to extended services contact lens optician (ESCLO) through [ABDO clinical lead] Max Halford’s excellent work with the Wales Optometry Postgraduate Education Centre on minor eye conditions services accreditation for CLOs. Our NHS needs our help now more than ever, and ESCLOs can remove foreign bodies very effectively within High Street practice and free up our overstretched A&E departments.
Q. What is the level of commitment involved and how do you balance this with your other roles?
A. Four days per year for board meetings, plus an extra day for our annual Member Consultation Day. It’s a vocational role as ABDO Board members are not paid and there’s often a large amount of papers to read in the week prior to a meeting. I balance ABDO Board commitments with my senior business development manager role at Menicon by being very efficient. My work takes me into many practices and businesses and, in these situations, after my business for Menicon is completed, I will often ask a DO: “What does ABDO mean to you as an individual, and what one way could we improve it for you?”
Q. What advice would you give to members considering applying/nominating for an ABDO Board member position?
A. Do it. #YesaDO*Can (*yes that’s you).
Q. What makes being an ABDO Board member worthwhile?
A. Listening to members and feeding this into board meetings where appropriate. Plus, knowing that you can actively support the membership, and influence positive change and flexibility within the organisation.
ABDO is inviting its members to attend one of two webinars in preparation for its forthcoming board elections. Taking place from 7.30-8.30pm on Monday 29 April and Thursday 23 May, the webinars will provide insight into what being a member of the ABDO Board involves – from the time commitments to supporting the delivery of the Association’s objectives.
Book your place on the ABDO Events page.