Surrey Association for Visual Impairment (SAVI) has announced the appointment of a new Chief Executive.
Bob Hughes, pictured right, will take up the post in June and brings with him a wealth of experience to the sight loss sector.
He was the Chief Executive of the Association of Optometrists and an Executive Director of the Federation of Ophthalmic and Dispensing Opticians. For ten years he was the MP for Harrow West.
Announcing his appointment, SAVI Chairman Alan Howell said: "We look forward to a new and exciting future with Bob. He has wide experience of strategic planning and a relevant background in vision loss issues, notably as a member of the committee that put together the UK Vision Strategy that has become a major influence on Government policy towards sight loss and prevention."
"There is still much to be done"
Hughes said he was looking forward to taking the helm at SAVI. He added: "There is still much to be done before we can say as a society that we are preventing avoidable blindness or providing adequately for the needs of vision impaired people. With our partners in the sector and the county and district councils, SAVI is well positioned to improve recognition of the issues and to grow service provision across Surrey."
Current Chief Executive Lance Clarke is set to retire at the end of May.