Awards presented at ABDO Grad ceremony

The president of the Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO), Kevin Gutsell, presented six special awards at the Association’s recent graduation and prize giving ceremony held at Canterbury Cathedral.

ABDO Life Membership was awarded to Fiona Anderson, SMC(Tech), BSc (Hons), FBDO R, Michael Cody, FBDO CL, and Clive Marchant, FBDO.

Fiona Anderson was awarded Life Membership for her contributions and dedication to the Association in various roles as president of the Association, chair of the Optical Confederation and ABDO Board director, representing the profession on a number of committees and as a practical examiner.

Fiona commented, “I was delighted to be awarded Life Membership of ABDO, all for doing a job I see as my true vocation. It was lovely to be a part of such a special day, seeing peers honoured with Life Membership and Honorary Fellowships, higher qualifications and the new FBDOs. I hope their careers will be as rewarding as mine has been.”

Michael Cody was awarded ABDO Life Membership for his contributions and dedication to the Association in various roles as an ABDO council member, ABDO Board director, director of the Local Optical Committee Support Unit, ABDO area secretary and as a trustee of the ABDO Benevolent Fund.

Michael commented, “It was a wonderful surprise and a real honour to be awarded Life Membership at the recent graduation in Canterbury. I would like to thank ABDO for giving me the opportunity of a wonderful career as a dispensing optician. I had a fantastic day, meeting up with so many colleagues I hadn’t seen for ages.”

Clive Marchant was awarded ABDO Life Membership for his contributions and dedication to the Association in his various roles as president of the Association, ABDO Board director, chair of ABDO College trustees, area chair, secretary and treasurer, as well as representing the Association on a number of committees.

Clive commented, “I have been an ABDO member for more than 45 years and as I start my retirement, I’m delighted to receive this Life Membership, being recognised by the president and ABDO Board for the work I have done representing the Association, supporting, promoting and enhancing our members.

“I was thrilled to be elected to the ABDO Board in 2014,” Clive continued, “and the highlight of my career was serving as ABDO president from 2018 to 2020 and chairing the ABDO College board of trustees from 2020 to 2025. The Association has always supported me throughout my career and I have always been very proud to be a dispensing optician. I wish the Association well for the future, trusting it continues to provide the support I have received.”

The ABDO Medal of Excellence was awarded to Sheila Purser, FADO, FFDO. Shelia was awarded the Medal of Excellence for her outstanding service and commitment to the Association and the profession as well as her work in supporting minor eye conditions services training. Shelia is clinical lead for Primary Eyecare Services and chair of Essex Local Optical Committee.

Sheila said, “I am honoured and proud to be recognised for my contribution to the optical profession over the last five or so decades. It was wonderful to receive this award at the graduation ceremony in the beautiful setting of Canterbury Cathedral. I retain the same passion for optics as I did as a newly qualified DO. Helping patients to have the best solution for their eyecare needs, developing and coaching team colleagues to achieve their best, and promoting optics to the wider world has been my driver. I hope all the newly qualified DOs have as great, enjoyable and long career as I have been lucky to have.”

ABDO honorary fellowships were awarded to Edward Mallen, PhD, MCOptom, FHEA, and Peter Reeve.

Edward Mallen was awarded an ABDO Honorary Fellowship for his dedication to optical education and his exemplary commitment to advancing knowledge in ophthalmic dispensing. He has consistently championed the role of dispensing opticians, ensuring their expertise is recognised and valued. Through his generous sharing of knowledge, Edward has supported students, practitioners and the wider profession.

Edward commented, “I was delighted to receive an Honorary Fellowship of ABDO. I am fortunate to have been taught and mentored by excellent dispensing opticians during my training; Alicia Thompson (formerly of Aston University) and Darren Lowe and Linda Savage of Chapmans Opticians deserve special mention. As president of The College of Optometrists I worked closely with Clive Marchant (as ABDO president) to promote collaboration and mutual support between our professions. Special thanks also to Colin Fowler (Aston University), who taught me well and now acts as an excellent sounding board for teaching and research ideas in ophthalmic optics. I had the privilege of working with Cheryl Hill during my time teaching at Bradford; a dispensing optician and an optometrist working together to train undergraduate optometry students is a reminder of the importance of collaborative teaching. I wish all the graduates from ABDO well in their careers, and I hope that those receiving higher qualifications will go on to help even more patients. Congratulations to Peter Reeve on the receipt of his Honorary Fellowship. My certificate will take pride of place on my office wall and I will use it as a reminder to my students of the importance of fostering a good working relationship between optometry and ophthalmic dispensing. By working together we can achieve great things. Many thanks to ABDO for this award; I am honoured and humbled in equal measure.”

Peter Reeve was awarded ABDO Honorary Fellowship for his exemplary commitment to supporting and advancing the profession of dispensing optics. Through his expertise, dedication and close collaboration with the Association, Peter has consistently championed the vital role of dispensing opticians. His knowledge of ophthalmic lenses and frames has enhanced professional understanding of the practical application of lens and frame technologies and supported the development and confidence of countless practitioners across the sector.

Peter commented, “I am deeply honoured to have been awarded an Honorary Fellowship of ABDO. This recognition is a privilege I accept with genuine delight and heartfelt appreciation. To be acknowledged by such a respected professional body is both humbling and inspiring.

“Throughout my career, I’ve had the pleasure of working alongside talented and dedicated dispensing opticians who play an essential role in delivering outstanding eyecare” continued Peter. “This fellowship not only marks a personal milestone but also reinforces my admiration for the profession and the people within it. My sincere thanks to ABDO for this honour – and to all those who continue to champion excellence, education and patient care in our industry.”

Find a list of all ABDO Life Membership and Medal of Excellence recipients here.