The British Contact Lens Association (BCLA) announced today that Cheryl Donnelly has been appointed to the new role of Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
A qualified contact lens optician and former President of the BCLA, Cheryl joins the Association from Bausch + Lomb where she held the position of Director, Medical Affairs, Vision Care for Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), providing the clinical lead for the region.
Cheryl joined the BCLA Council as Dispensing Section Chair in 1997, was elected BCLA President in 2000 and awarded BCLA Fellowship in 2007. With an interest in education, Cheryl was a Clinical Demonstrator at Aston University for the final year contact lens clinics, and was a part-time lecturer and course leader in Contact Lens Practice at Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge.
In the newly created role of BCLA CEO, Cheryl will be responsible for the day-to-day running of the Association; she will also support the BCLA Council and staff in driving development, delivering on the Association’s investment and business plans, and increasing membership and conference delegate numbers.
BCLA President, Andy Yorke, said: “We are delighted that Cheryl has accepted the appointment of CEO and I am looking forward to working with her closely in the coming months. She joins the BCLA at a time of significant change and her in-depth knowledge of the contact lens market, both in the UK and overseas, will be of immense importance in continuing the many changes that are still planned across the next few years.”
Looking forward to her new role, Cheryl responded: “The BCLA has been a part of my professional life for more than 15 years, and I am thrilled to be stepping up to take the helm at such an exciting time in its development. Working with the Council and staff, and in support of the membership, I look forward to taking the organisation to the next level and building on the great work already undertaken.”
BCLA Secretary General, Vivien Freeman, who will retire at the end of the year, commented: “I am delighted to be leaving the BCLA in the very capable hands of Cheryl Donnelly, who has been a great supporter of the Association and its membership over many years. Under Cheryl’s stewardship, I have no doubt that the BCLA will continue to grow and thrive. She brings enormous enthusiasm to the new role and I wish her, the Association and its members all the very best for the future.”
Andy went on to add: “Vivien has played a major role in shaping the BCLA in the recent past, and I know the whole contact lens community will join me in wishing her a very happy and long retirement.”
Cheryl will officially begin her new role on 6 January 2014.
