BCLA announces industry specialist as new chair

Dave is an optometrist with more than 20 years’ experience of working in the eye care industry has been unveiled as the new chair of the BCLA.

Dave Webley BSc (Hons) MCOptom FBCLA is currently senior marketing manager for 1 Day EMEA at CooperVision and will now lead the BCLA’s Council in delivering an ambitious and exciting work programme into 2024 and beyond.

The appointment follows an extensive recruitment process as the association searched for a candidate who recognises the importance of specialist education and leadership in eye health.

BCLA chief executive Luke Stevens-Burt said: “We are absolutely delighted to have appointed Dave as our new chair and we very much look forward to working with him for an initial three-year period.

“The BCLA plays a highly specialised role within the broader optometry and optics professions, attracting high calibre eye care professionals to our community. As chair, Dave will work alongside some of the most inspirational and influential people in eye care as we continue to deliver a wide range of events, certificates and programmes for eye care professionals around the world.

“The forthcoming publication of the BCLA CLEAR™ Presbyopia findings will be a major focus in the short-term and we look forward to seeing the impact they will have on day-to-day practice.”

Dave is a member of the College of Optometrists and a BCLA fellow. He qualified as an optometrist in 2003, graduating from Aston University and has worked in primary care practice, academia, learning and development, and industry.

He has lectured internationally and delivered education to undergraduate and post-graduate optometric audiences. He has vast experience leading digital and virtual education programmes as well as orchestrating global, multi-language contact lens conferences.

He said: “Being named chair of an association I am proud to be a member of is a huge honour and one that I aim to fully embrace. The BCLA has a truly global reach and the coming years present a major opportunity to introduce the association to new territories while continuing to grow our membership base here in the UK.”

“In order to grow and evolve as an organisation, the BCLA needs to enter a period of change. I’m relishing the opportunity to challenge the way it operates, and looking forward to working with visionaries from across all aspects of eye care to ensure the BCLA is fit for the future.”