BCLA’s new President’s Keynote Speech

‘If you don’t keep up you risk going out of business’ – new BCLA President stresses importance of embracing change

The new President of the BCLA has outlined his vision for an “inclusive and accessible” future as the Association strives to equip its members with the skills and knowledge they need to embrace a period of unprecedented change in optometry.

Rakesh Kapoor officially succeeded Neil Retallic as BCLA President at the Clinical Conference and Exhibition held at Manchester Central from 9-11 June.

The experienced optometrist and businessman, who is currently Clinical Performance Consultant for Specsavers, is a joint venture partner in four Specsavers practices in north-west London and is aiming to encourage more eye care practitioners from a background in multiples to join the BCLA and benefit from the world-leading education and networking benefits it offers.

He said: “The core of the BCLA’s membership is made up of specialist independents and we won’t move away from that, but we do have to understand that multiples cater for the majority of contact lens supply and fitting in the UK and therefore it’s just as important they are aware of what’s available to help care for patients and ensure best outcomes.

“Some of the research findings that were presented at the Conference were incredible, with some seriously impressive lectures and workshops, and I want to make sure as many eye care practitioners as possible enjoy the benefits and foresight it provides.

“I’m hoping to bridge the gap between the independents and the multiples and show that you don’t need to be of an academic or research background to be a part of the BCLA. It is an inclusive and accessible association that offers something for everyone.

“It’s been a tough couple of years for membership organisations and we have to make sure prospective members fully understand the benefits of signing up and the value they get for their fee.”

Rakesh graduated from Aston University in 1991 and spent his pre-reg year working with an independent practice before becoming a locum with Specsavers, eventually opening the firm’s second-ever branch in London. The Wembley store was the first of six he ran and he currently has 60 employees, including a clinical team of 14, across four sites.

He has previously been the representative for London on the College of Optometrists’ council and is a visiting lecturer at Aston University, where he puts his years of experience in the sector to use by teaching business awareness to optometry students.

He added: “It’s important that optometrists understand the basics of business as well as develop clinical skills if they eventually want to run their own practice. They need an overview of business functions such as HR, accountancy and everything else you need to make a business work.

“I have been the chair of the BCLA’s membership committee for a few years now, during which time we have bought in the MBCLA affix, which I think has been important. Not everyone has the time to commit to becoming a Fellow and those letters show your dedication to a specialist discipline.

“There’s actually far more to the BCLA than just contact lenses. It has increasingly become an ‘anterior eye’ organisation and that’s something we can really push over the coming year. The training, webinars and certificates we provide for members can really help them keep up to date with the very latest learning and stand out in the field.

“Change in the profession is arguably at its strongest curve any of us have seen in our lifetime, if you don’t keep up you’re pretty much de-skilled so it’s vital that eye care practitioners give themselves the best possible access to up-to-the-minute research and technology.”

Rakesh will lead the association for the next 12 months – a period that will see the return of BCLA Asia, to be held in Chengdu province in China next Spring, and ‘Optometry Tomorrow’, a new collaboration with the College of Optometrists.

BCLA chief executive Luke Stevens-Burt said: “I’m looking forward to working closely with Rakesh as we build on the success of the Clinical Conference and Exhibition to develop a calendar of activities for members over the next year.

“His knowledge and expertise of the multiples sector will be invaluable as we continue to evolve the BCLA and welcome new members from across the world.”