New Managing Director appointed to lead Optegra UK

New Managing Director appointed to lead Optegra UK

Specialist eye hospital group Optegra Eye Health Care has appointed healthcare leader Ghada Beal as its new UK Managing Director, as the organisation continues its next phase of growth under new owner EssilorLuxottica.

An experienced healthcare executive with more than three decades in the sector, Ghada joins Optegra with a unique combination of clinical and commercial expertise. Having qualified as a pharmacist 31 years ago, she has built a career leading major healthcare organisations, driven by a commitment to improving patients’ lives through high-quality care.

She said:  “Throughout my career, I have believed that exceptional healthcare is built by exceptional people. Sustainable success comes from clear accountability, high standards and a culture where everyone understands the difference they make to patients’ lives.

“Joining Optegra brings together everything I value: talented colleagues, outstanding clinical care and a highly respected brand with an ambitious vision for the future.”

Following 26 years with Boots in senior leadership roles, Ghada has advised organisations including Superdrug, Lloyds Pharmacy and IVF provider FutureLife. She has extensive experience leading large, complex healthcare businesses, delivering transformation while maintaining a strong focus on quality, patient experience and colleague engagement.

Since joining Optegra, Ghada has visited many of the group’s 19 UK hospitals, meeting colleagues across the business and seeing first-hand the organisation’s commitment to clinical excellence.

She said:  “I am excited to join an organisation that is recognised as a leader in ophthalmology, with outstanding clinical outcomes and a genuine commitment to putting patients at the centre of everything it does.

“Becoming part of EssilorLuxottica marks an exciting new chapter for Optegra. The group’s long-term commitment to innovation, technology and clinical excellence creates significant opportunities to expand access to advanced eye care and continue improving outcomes for patients throughout every stage of their eye health journey.”

Ola Spencer, Group Chief Operating Officer of Optegra, said: “We are delighted to welcome Ghada to Optegra. She is a highly respected healthcare leader whose values closely reflect our own commitment to clinical excellence, outstanding patient care and supporting our people to succeed.

“Her experience of leading large healthcare organisations through growth and transformation, combined with her clinical background, makes her exceptionally well placed to lead our UK business as we continue to invest in our hospitals, our people and our services as part of the EssilorLuxottica family.”

Optegra Eye Health Care is a specialist provider of ophthalmic services. Established in 2007, with its first hospital opening in 2008, it has completed over one million eye procedures from its 74 eye hospitals across the UK, Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia and Holland.

As well as providing private vision correction treatments – from lens replacement and laser eye surgery to implantable contact lenses – Optegra treats cataract surgery both privately and through its partnership with the NHS. Optegra also treats medical conditions such as AMD and glaucoma and has launched the first ever treatment for people with the dry form of AMD.

Optegra is owned by EssilorLuxottica, a global leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of advanced vision care products, eyewear and med-tech solutions. Backed by robust R&D investments, distinctive capabilities and a top-quality asset portfolio, the company drives innovation across eye health.

Optegra brings together leading-edge research, medical expertise and state-of-the-art surgical equipment. It performs more than 170,000 treatments annually, both private and publicly funded. Its top ophthalmic surgeons are renowned for their areas of expertise, offering excellent clinical outcomes and great patient service.